SAIC awarded $27.6M for NATO SOF training, highlighting administrative management consulting services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,654,209 ($27.7M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2013-08-05

End Date: 2018-08-04

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF NATO SPECIAL OPERATION FORCES TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $27.7 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF NATO SPECIAL OPERATION FORCES TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract value of $27.6M over 5 years suggests a significant investment in specialized training. 2. The 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' category indicates a focus on strategic and operational support. 3. Full and open competition implies a robust bidding process, potentially leading to competitive pricing. 4. The contract's duration of 1825 days (5 years) points to a long-term need for these services. 5. Delivery Order under a larger contract structure suggests a phased approach to fulfilling requirements. 6. The absence of small business set-aside indicates the primary contractor is likely a large business.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $27.6M over five years for NATO SOF training and education appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale international training contracts is difficult without more specific service details, but the duration and scope suggest a substantial requirement. The use of Time and Materials pricing, while common, warrants scrutiny to ensure cost control and prevent scope creep.

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. With 5 bidders participating, this suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive environment generally benefits the government by driving down prices and encouraging innovation from the bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it increases the likelihood of securing services at the best possible price and quality. The presence of multiple bidders helps ensure that the selected contractor is offering a competitive rate.

Public Impact

Specialized training and education services are delivered to NATO Special Operations Forces (SOF). The contract supports the operational readiness and effectiveness of allied special operations units. Geographic impact is likely international, focusing on NATO member countries involved in SOF training. Workforce implications include the potential for highly skilled consultants and trainers to support the program.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials pricing if not closely managed.
Ensuring consistent quality and effectiveness of training across diverse NATO SOF units.
Managing the complexities of international collaboration and differing operational requirements.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a strong market response and potential for value.
Long-term contract duration indicates a stable and ongoing need for these critical services.
Award to a known entity like SAIC may imply a track record of successful performance in similar areas.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. The market for defense and security consulting services is substantial, driven by government needs for specialized expertise in areas like training, strategy, and operational support. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale international defense training or advisory contracts, often awarded through competitive processes.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best overall solution from the large business market. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this specific award, though large prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized support services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting agency (GSA) and the requiring activity within NATO. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, performance metrics, and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific operational details of SOF training may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) contracts
US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) training programs
Department of Defense international affairs and training initiatives
Management and consulting services for federal agencies

Risk Flags

Potential for cost creep due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Ensuring consistent training quality and effectiveness across diverse international units.
Complexity of managing international partnerships and differing requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $27.7 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF NATO SPECIAL OPERATION FORCES TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROGRAM

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 $27.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-08-05. End: 2018-08-04.

What is Science Applications International Corporation's (SAIC) track record with NATO or similar international defense organizations?

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has a significant history of supporting defense and intelligence agencies, including international partners. While specific details on their work with NATO Special Operations Forces training are not provided in this data snippet, SAIC has a broad portfolio encompassing command and control systems, simulation and training, and professional services for defense clients globally. Their experience with large, complex government contracts suggests a capacity to manage programs of this scale and scope. Further investigation into their past performance on similar international training or advisory contracts would provide a more complete picture of their suitability for this specific requirement.

How does the $27.6M contract value compare to similar NATO SOF training programs?

Direct comparison of the $27.6M contract value to similar NATO SOF training programs is challenging without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts. However, the value suggests a substantial and multi-year commitment to specialized training. NATO SOF training often involves complex logistical, technical, and instructional requirements, which can drive up costs. The duration of five years (1825 days) indicates a sustained need, and the value appears consistent with large-scale, long-term defense support contracts. Benchmarking would ideally involve analyzing the scope of services, number of personnel trained, and specific training modalities against other international defense training initiatives.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for training services?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for training services is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. If not carefully managed and monitored, this structure can lead to increased costs if the project scope expands, if labor hours are not efficiently utilized, or if material costs escalate unexpectedly. For training services, this could manifest as extended training durations, additional development hours, or unforeseen material needs. Robust oversight, clear performance metrics, and strong government project management are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money.

How effective is full and open competition in ensuring value for money in defense consulting contracts?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in defense consulting contracts. By allowing all responsible sources to bid, the government maximizes the pool of potential offerors, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive proposals. This competitive pressure incentivizes contractors to offer their best pricing and innovative solutions to win the contract. A robust competition with multiple bidders, as seen with 5 bidders in this case, provides a strong basis for price discovery and allows the government to select the offer that represents the best overall value, considering both technical merit and cost. However, the effectiveness also depends on the clarity of the solicitation and the government's ability to evaluate proposals accurately.

What is the typical duration for contracts providing administrative management and general management consulting services?

The typical duration for contracts providing administrative management and general management consulting services can vary significantly based on the scope and nature of the requirement. For strategic initiatives, long-term program support, or complex organizational transformations, contracts can extend for several years, often with options for renewal. The 5-year duration (1825 days) of this specific contract is not unusual for such services, especially when they involve ongoing support, continuous improvement, or long-term advisory roles. Shorter-term contracts might focus on specific projects, studies, or assessments. The duration is often tied to the lifecycle of the program being supported or the strategic objectives the consulting aims to achieve.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: ID03130024

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

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: $30,981,757

Exercised Options: $27,654,209

Current Obligation: $27,654,209

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F8006H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline