GSA awards $15.6M for Nuclear Matters Professional Services to Science Applications International Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,643,632 ($15.6M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2008-03-31

End Date: 2011-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,278 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NUCLEAR MATTERS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92121

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $15.6 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: NUCLEAR MATTERS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in specialized consulting services. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a robust bidding process for this requirement. 3. Performance period of over three years indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 5. This award falls within the administrative and management consulting services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.6 million over approximately 3.5 years suggests a moderate annual spend for specialized consulting. Benchmarking against similar contracts for management and general consulting services would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm-fixed-price structure indicates an effort to establish clear cost expectations upfront, which is a positive indicator for cost control. The number of bids received (5) also provides a basis for assessing competitive pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. With five bidders participating, the competition level appears healthy, suggesting that the agency received multiple proposals and had a reasonable basis for selecting the most advantageous offer. This level of competition generally supports price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition with multiple bidders is beneficial for taxpayers as it fosters a competitive environment, driving down prices and encouraging innovation from contractors seeking to win the award.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely government agencies involved in nuclear matters, receiving expert advice and support. Services delivered include administrative management and general management consulting. The geographic impact is centered in California, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications may involve specialized consultants contributing to national nuclear policy and operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical nuclear matters consulting could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract helps manage cost overruns.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market for these services.
Award to a known entity like SAIC may indicate a track record of successful performance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is crucial for government operations, providing expertise across various domains. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized knowledge. The annual spend for this contract, approximately $4.4 million, is moderate within the context of large federal consulting awards.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears limited based on this award alone. Further analysis of subcontracting reports would be needed to determine any indirect benefits to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Nuclear Energy Programs
Department of Energy Consulting Services
Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation
Environmental Management Services

Risk Flags

Contract duration exceeds 3 years, requiring careful monitoring of performance.
Specialized nature of 'Nuclear Matters' necessitates high contractor expertise.
Firm-fixed-price contracts can pose risks if scope is not well-defined.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $15.6 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. NUCLEAR MATTERS PROFESSIONAL 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 $15.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-03-31. End: 2011-09-30.

What is the track record of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in performing similar federal contracts, particularly in nuclear matters consulting?

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is a large and established federal contractor with a significant history of performing a wide range of services for various government agencies. While the provided data focuses on this specific $15.6 million contract for Nuclear Matters Professional Services, SAIC's broader portfolio includes extensive work in defense, intelligence, energy, and civilian sectors. Their experience often encompasses complex technical, engineering, and management consulting. To assess their track record specifically for nuclear matters consulting, a deeper dive into their past performance evaluations, contract history with agencies like the Department of Energy (DOE) or the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and any relevant awards or commendations would be necessary. Generally, SAIC is considered a capable contractor, but the suitability for specialized nuclear matters would depend on the specific technical expertise and security clearances required for the tasks outlined in this contract.

How does the awarded amount of $15.6 million compare to other federal contracts for similar administrative and management consulting services?

The $15.6 million awarded to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) for Nuclear Matters Professional Services over approximately 3.5 years (from March 2008 to September 2011) translates to an average annual value of roughly $4.4 million. This figure is moderate within the broad landscape of federal consulting contracts. Larger, more complex programs, especially those involving extensive research and development, large-scale IT modernization, or defense systems integration, can command hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. However, for specialized management and administrative consulting services, particularly those requiring specific domain expertise like nuclear matters, an annual spend in the low millions is not uncommon. Benchmarking would ideally involve comparing this contract to others awarded under the NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services) to understand if the pricing and scope are competitive within that specific market segment.

What are the primary risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for professional services in a specialized field like nuclear matters?

A primary risk with firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts, especially in specialized fields like nuclear matters, is the potential for the contractor to underbid the work, leading to quality compromises or the contractor seeking scope changes to maintain profitability. Conversely, if the contractor accurately prices the complex requirements, the government may end up paying a premium if unforeseen efficiencies arise. For the government, the risk lies in ensuring the contractor possesses the deep technical expertise and robust quality control necessary to deliver accurate and reliable consulting on sensitive nuclear issues. If the contractor lacks the necessary expertise or fails to manage the project effectively, the FFP structure can make it difficult and costly to correct deficiencies or terminate the contract without significant disruption. The government's ability to clearly define the SOW and monitor performance is crucial to mitigating these risks.

What does the 'Nuclear Matters' designation imply about the nature of the services being procured?

The designation 'Nuclear Matters' strongly implies that the professional services procured are related to the management, oversight, policy, safety, security, or operational aspects of nuclear materials, facilities, or programs. This could encompass a wide range of activities, such as advising on regulatory compliance, developing safety protocols, managing nuclear waste, supporting non-proliferation efforts, or providing strategic planning for nuclear energy initiatives. Given the sensitive and highly regulated nature of nuclear activities, these services likely require specialized technical knowledge, adherence to stringent security protocols, and a deep understanding of relevant national and international laws and standards. The procurement likely targets contractors with demonstrated expertise in this specific, high-stakes domain.

How does the General Services Administration (GSA) typically oversee contracts awarded through its Federal Acquisition Service (FAS)?

The General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) oversees a vast array of government contracts, including this one awarded to Science Applications International Corporation. Oversight typically involves establishing and managing contract vehicles (like GSA Schedules), ensuring compliance with acquisition regulations (like the FAR), and providing support to ordering agencies. For individual task orders or delivery orders issued against GSA Schedules, the primary oversight responsibility often rests with the agency that placed the order. However, GSA retains a role in ensuring the integrity of its contract vehicles and may conduct audits or reviews. Key oversight mechanisms include contract performance monitoring, invoice review, and ensuring adherence to the terms and conditions of the contract. Transparency is often facilitated through public databases where contract awards are recorded.

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

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1710 SAIC DR, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,643,632

Exercised Options: $15,643,632

Current Obligation: $15,643,632

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F8006H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline