Intelligence surveillance contract awarded to Science Applications International Corporation for over $26 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,273,941 ($26.3M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2016-02-01

End Date: 2018-02-01

Contract Duration: 731 days

Daily Burn Rate: $35.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF QUICK REACTION CAPABILITY BATTLE SPACE AWARENESS INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE QRCBAISR

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $26.3 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF QUICK REACTION CAPABILITY BATTLE SPACE AWARENESS INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE QRCBAISR Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of two years presents moderate performance risk. 4. This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector. 5. The awardee, Science Applications International Corporation, is a large, established government contractor. 6. The contract was awarded as a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $26.3 million over two years for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) services appears to be within a reasonable range for the scope of work. Benchmarking against similar ISR contracts is challenging without more specific details on the services rendered. However, the pricing structure, likely based on labor hours, allows for flexibility. The absence of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes a definitive value-for-money assessment difficult, but the competitive award process suggests a degree of price efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally promotes a competitive environment, which should lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The use of full and open competition is the government's preferred method for maximizing competition and achieving best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and higher quality services due to a wider pool of bidders vying for the contract.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely federal agencies requiring intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, potentially including defense and intelligence communities. The services delivered are expected to enhance situational awareness and support decision-making through ISR data. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting federal operations across various theaters. Workforce implications may include employment for analysts, technicians, and support staff within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined.
Dependence on contractor personnel for critical ISR functions.
Risk of outdated technology if not continuously updated.

Positive Signals

Award to a large, experienced contractor with a proven track record.
Use of full and open competition to ensure competitive pricing.
Contract structure allows for flexibility in service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on administrative management and general management consulting services. This sector is characterized by a high degree of specialization and is crucial for supporting government operations, particularly in areas like intelligence and defense. The market size for ISR services is substantial, driven by ongoing national security needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other contracts for similar ISR support, data analysis, and intelligence gathering services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, Science Applications International Corporation, is a large business, and it is possible they may engage small businesses as subcontractors, but this is not mandated by the contract type as presented.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting agency, the General Services Administration (GSA), through its Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Services
Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Federal Acquisition Service Contracts
General Services Administration Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract duration of 2 years may limit long-term strategic alignment.
Specific performance metrics not detailed, impacting objective evaluation.
Reliance on labor hours can sometimes lead to cost inefficiencies if not managed tightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $26.3 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF QUICK REACTION CAPABILITY BATTLE SPACE AWARENESS INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE QRCBAISR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-02-01. End: 2018-02-01.

What is the specific nature of the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) services provided under this contract?

The contract description 'IGF::OT::IGF QUICK REACTION CAPABILITY BATTLE SPACE AWARENESS INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLIGENCE AND RECONNAISSANCE QRCBAISR' suggests the services are related to rapid response capabilities for battle space awareness through ISR. This could encompass a range of activities such as data collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of intelligence gathered from various platforms (e.g., satellite, aerial, cyber). The 'Quick Reaction Capability' aspect implies a focus on providing timely and actionable intelligence to support immediate operational needs, likely for defense or national security purposes. Without further details on the specific deliverables and performance work statement, the exact scope remains generalized.

How does the awarded price of $26.3 million compare to similar ISR contracts awarded by the GSA or other agencies?

Directly comparing the $26.3 million price tag to similar ISR contracts is challenging without granular data on contract duration, specific services, labor categories, and geographic scope. However, considering this contract spans two years (731 days), the approximate daily burn rate is around $36,000. This figure needs to be contextualized against the complexity and criticality of ISR services. Large-scale ISR contracts can range from tens of millions to billions of dollars, depending on the technology, personnel, and operational tempo involved. The fact that it was awarded under full and open competition suggests a degree of market-driven pricing, but a definitive benchmark requires access to comparable contract details.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the contractor's performance on this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate Science Applications International Corporation's performance on this contract. Typically, for ISR contracts, KPIs might include timeliness of intelligence reporting, accuracy of analysis, system uptime and availability, adherence to security protocols, and responsiveness to 'quick reaction' taskings. The effectiveness of oversight by the General Services Administration (GSA) would rely on these defined metrics within the Performance Work Statement (PWS) to ensure the government receives the intended value and mission support from the contracted services.

What is the track record of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in delivering ISR services to the federal government?

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has a long and extensive track record of delivering a wide array of services, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), to various U.S. federal agencies, particularly within the Department of Defense and intelligence community. They are a major government contractor known for their capabilities in areas such as C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), data analytics, simulation and training, and systems engineering. Their history includes numerous large-scale contracts supporting complex national security missions, indicating a substantial capacity and experience base relevant to the services outlined in this award.

What is the historical spending trend for similar ISR contracts managed by the General Services Administration (GSA)?

Historical spending trends for similar ISR contracts managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) can be variable, influenced by evolving national security requirements, technological advancements, and agency-specific needs. GSA, through its Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), often facilitates these types of contracts using vehicles like MAS (Multiple Award Schedule) or GWACs (Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts). While specific aggregate spending data for 'ISR services' under GSA management isn't readily available in this snippet, the overall trend in federal spending on ISR capabilities has generally been upward over the past two decades, driven by global security challenges and the increasing importance of data-driven situational awareness. Individual contract values can range significantly based on scope and duration.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting 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: ID01150096

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12010 SUNSET HILLS RD, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,952,324

Exercised Options: $26,273,941

Current Obligation: $26,273,941

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 33

Total Subaward Amount: $10,429,900

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F002CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline