DoD's $14.5M Net-Centric Testing Capabilities Contract Awarded to GBL Systems Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,568,922 ($14.6M)

Contractor: GBL Systems Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-03-01

End Date: 2011-06-15

Contract Duration: 1,567 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: DEVELOPMENT OF NETCENTRIC TESTING CAPABILITIES OF JOINT MISSION AREAS.

Place of Performance

Location: CAMARILLO, VENTURA County, CALIFORNIA, 93010, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.6 million to GBL SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: DEVELOPMENT OF NETCENTRIC TESTING CAPABILITIES OF JOINT MISSION AREAS. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to GBL Systems Corporation for $14.5M. 2. Focuses on developing net-centric testing capabilities for joint mission areas. 3. Awarded by the Department of the Navy, part of the Department of Defense. 4. Contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, indicating performance-based incentives. 5. Duration of the contract is 1567 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for potential cost overruns if performance targets are not met. The award fee mechanism aims to incentivize contractor performance, but the final cost is variable.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for taxpayer value, as it aims to secure the best possible price and performance through market forces.

Public Impact

Enhances joint mission area testing capabilities, potentially improving military readiness. Supports the development of advanced net-centric warfare technologies. Invests in engineering services critical for modern defense systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 92 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can lead to higher final costs than fixed-price contracts.
The 'award fee' component introduces variability in the final price.
Long contract duration (over 4 years) may increase risk of scope creep or changing requirements.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Focus on critical net-centric capabilities aligns with modern defense needs.
Performance incentives are built into the contract structure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to defense systems development. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and operational effectiveness in the military.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Navy, as part of the DoD, is responsible for oversight. The contract's performance-based nature suggests oversight will focus on meeting technical and performance milestones.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee structure can lead to higher final costs.
Potential for scope creep over the contract's long duration.
Lack of specific small business participation data.
Performance metrics for award fee are not publicly detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.6 million to GBL SYSTEMS CORPORATION. DEVELOPMENT OF NETCENTRIC TESTING CAPABILITIES OF JOINT MISSION AREAS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GBL SYSTEMS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-03-01. End: 2011-06-15.

What is the typical cost range for similar net-centric testing capability development contracts?

Determining a precise cost range for similar contracts is challenging without more specific details on the scope and complexity of 'net-centric testing capabilities.' However, contracts for advanced engineering and testing services within the defense sector can range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the technological sophistication and duration. Benchmarking against contracts with similar NAICS codes (like 541330) and award amounts would provide a more accurate comparison.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to the award fee, and how are they measured?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tied to the award fee are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, for engineering and development contracts, KPIs would relate to technical performance, schedule adherence, cost control, and successful integration of testing capabilities. The Department of the Navy would establish these metrics, and GBL Systems Corporation's performance against them would determine the amount of award fee earned.

How does the development of these net-centric testing capabilities directly impact operational effectiveness in joint mission areas?

The development of net-centric testing capabilities aims to enhance the ability of different military branches to communicate, share data, and operate seamlessly in a networked environment. This translates to more realistic and comprehensive testing scenarios for joint operations, identifying interoperability issues early, and ultimately improving the overall effectiveness and readiness of forces during actual missions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N0002407R3130

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 400 ROSEWOOD AVE STE 101, CAMARILLO, CA, 93010

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $88,735,761

Exercised Options: $34,631,217

Current Obligation: $14,568,922

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017805D4337

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline