GSA awards $127M R&D contract to Science Applications International Corp. for human dimension support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $127,132,879 ($127.1M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2016-03-01

End Date: 2020-08-15

Contract Duration: 1,628 days

Daily Burn Rate: $78.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF HUMAN DIMENSION SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35898

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $127.1 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF HUMAN DIMENSION SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $127.1 million over its period of performance. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified bidders. 3. The contract type is 'Delivery Order', suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541712 points to research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 5. The contract duration of 1628 days spans over 4 years. 6. The contractor, Science Applications International Corporation, is a large, established entity in the federal contracting space.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $127.1 million over approximately 4.5 years represents a significant investment in R&D services. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for specialized R&D support is challenging without more specific service details. However, the use of 'Labor Hours' pricing suggests that costs are tied directly to the effort expended, which can be a reasonable approach for R&D where outcomes are less predictable. The absence of a specific contract ceiling or task order limits makes a precise value-for-money assessment difficult without further data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit an offer. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to present their best proposals and pricing. The fact that it was competed suggests that the agency sought a range of capabilities and potentially favorable pricing through this method. The number of bidders is not specified, but the process itself aims to maximize competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting a more efficient allocation of resources and potentially lower prices due to market pressures. It ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, increasing the likelihood of obtaining services at a fair and reasonable cost.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely federal agencies requiring advanced research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. Services delivered are expected to advance scientific understanding and technological capabilities within these domains. The geographic impact is not specified but could extend to research institutions and facilities nationwide. Workforce implications may include the employment of scientists, engineers, and technical personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the tangible outcomes of the R&D.
The 'Delivery Order' nature suggests this might be one of many orders under a larger IDIQ, making total spending visibility challenging.
Limited public information on the specific research areas funded under this contract.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Science Applications International Corporation is a well-established contractor with a significant federal presence.
The contract supports critical R&D activities, potentially leading to technological advancements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically NAICS code 541712, which covers physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D, excluding biotechnology. This is a significant area of federal spending, supporting innovation and technological advancement across various agencies. The market for R&D services is competitive, with many large and small businesses vying for these contracts. The total federal spending on R&D is in the billions annually, with contracts like this contributing to national scientific and technological goals.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Science Applications International Corporation is a large business. This means that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on SAIC's internal policies and the specific requirements of the task orders issued under this contract. There is no explicit indication of a small business subcontracting plan being a primary driver for this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service which awarded it. The contract's performance would be monitored through the terms and conditions outlined in the base IDIQ contract and subsequent delivery orders. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract's reporting requirements and payment terms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed project-specific information may be limited due to the nature of R&D.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development Services
Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Engineering Services
Life Sciences Research

Risk Flags

Contract awarded as a Delivery Order, potentially part of a larger IDIQ structure, requiring analysis of the base contract for full scope.
Specific R&D deliverables and performance metrics are not detailed, making outcome assessment challenging.
Geographic impact and specific agency beneficiaries are not explicitly stated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $127.1 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. IGF::CL::IGF HUMAN DIMENSION SUPPORT SERVICES

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 $127.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-03-01. End: 2020-08-15.

What specific research areas are covered under this contract?

The NAICS code 541712 indicates that the contract covers 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)'. However, the specific research areas are not detailed in the provided data. This broad classification suggests that the contract could encompass a wide range of scientific and technical endeavors, from fundamental research to applied engineering solutions. Without access to the specific task orders or the base IDIQ contract, it is impossible to determine the precise scientific domains or projects funded under this award. Such details are often proprietary or sensitive, especially in R&D contexts.

How does the $127.1 million award compare to typical R&D contract values for Science Applications International Corporation?

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is a major federal contractor consistently awarded billions of dollars annually across various service categories, including R&D. A single contract valued at $127.1 million is substantial but falls within the typical range of large-scale awards for a company of SAIC's size and scope. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze SAIC's historical contract awards for similar R&D services over comparable periods. However, given SAIC's market position, this award represents a significant, yet not extraordinary, contract for the company.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables for this contract. Contracts for Research and Development (R&D) often have complex and evolving deliverables that can include research reports, prototypes, data analysis, scientific publications, or technical briefings. The success of such contracts is typically measured by the advancement of knowledge, the feasibility of developed technologies, or the successful completion of research objectives. Without the specific contract statement of work or task orders, identifying precise KPIs is not possible.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'Human Dimension Support Services' by the General Services Administration?

The provided data identifies the contract as 'IGF::CL::IGF HUMAN DIMENSION SUPPORT SERVICES', suggesting a focus on 'Human Dimension Support Services'. However, the data does not offer historical spending patterns for this specific service category by the General Services Administration (GSA) or any other agency. To analyze historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases for similar contract actions over previous fiscal years, using relevant keywords and NAICS codes. This would help establish trends, identify key contractors, and understand the typical scale of investment in such services.

What is the risk associated with a 'Delivery Order' contract type for R&D services?

The 'Delivery Order' contract type is typically issued under an Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract. For R&D services, this structure offers flexibility, allowing the government to procure specific research tasks as needed. The primary risk is that the total value of all delivery orders could exceed the IDIQ contract's ceiling, or that the specific R&D needs might evolve beyond the scope of the original IDIQ. Another risk is ensuring consistent quality and progress across multiple, potentially disparate, delivery orders. However, the full and open competition for the base IDIQ aims to mitigate risks by selecting a capable contractor upfront.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: ID04150068

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12010, SUNSET HILLS ROAD, 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: $127,132,879

Exercised Options: $127,132,879

Current Obligation: $127,132,879

Actual Outlays: $-21,653

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 58

Total Subaward Amount: $2,508,530,805

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU428

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline