DoD's $36.7M contract with Radiant Analytic Solutions for consulting services awarded without competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,727,297 ($36.7M)

Contractor: Radiant Analytic Solutions, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2017-01-27

End Date: 2022-01-29

Contract Duration: 1,828 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF SBIR PHASE III

Place of Performance

Location: TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH County, FLORIDA, 33621

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $36.7 million to RADIANT ANALYTIC SOLUTIONS, INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF SBIR PHASE III Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating defined scope and cost. 2. Long contract duration of 1828 days suggests a sustained need for services. 3. Services fall under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services', a broad category. 4. Awarded by U.S. Special Operations Command, implying a focus on specialized defense needs. 5. Contractor, Radiant Analytic Solutions, Inc., has a history with federal contracts. 6. No small business set-aside was applied to this contract. 7. The contract was awarded in 2017 and ended in 2022.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables or performance metrics. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests cost certainty, but the lack of competition raises questions about whether the government secured the best possible price. Comparing it to similar sole-source contracts for specialized consulting services would be necessary for a more robust value assessment. The absence of publicly available performance data makes it difficult to definitively assess value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded using 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' (NAF) justification, indicating that a full and open competition was not pursued. This typically occurs when only one responsible source can provide the required services or when there's a compelling urgency. The limited competition means there was no direct price comparison from multiple bidders, potentially impacting the government's ability to negotiate the most favorable terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the government lacks the leverage of competitive bidding. This limits the opportunity to explore innovative solutions or cost savings that might arise from a competitive process.

Public Impact

The U.S. Special Operations Command benefits from specialized technical consulting services. Services likely support critical national security missions and operational planning. The geographic impact is primarily tied to the operations of U.S. Special Operations Command, which can be global. Workforce implications are concentrated within Radiant Analytic Solutions, Inc., and potentially supporting government personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may have resulted in a higher price than a competitive award.
Absence of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the services provided.
The broad nature of 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' could mask specific risks if not well-defined.
Long contract duration without clear competition could indicate a lack of market research or strategic sourcing.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarded to a single contractor, potentially allowing for deep institutional knowledge and continuity.
Contract duration suggests a stable, ongoing requirement met by the selected vendor.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, a significant area of federal spending. This sector includes a wide range of consulting, research, and analytical services. Federal spending in this area often supports complex government functions, including defense, intelligence, and policy development. Benchmarking requires comparison to similar sole-source or competitively awarded contracts for specialized technical consulting within the defense sector.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The entire value of the contract was awarded to Radiant Analytic Solutions, Inc., a firm that may or may not be classified as a small business itself. The absence of small business participation provisions means there is no direct benefit or requirement for small businesses within this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Special Operations Command's contracting officers and program managers. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the potential classification of the services provided. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Consulting Services
Special Operations Command Support Contracts
Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Sole-Source Defense Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Limited transparency on specific services and performance.
Potential for higher cost to taxpayers due to lack of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $36.7 million to RADIANT ANALYTIC SOLUTIONS, INC. IGF::OT::IGF SBIR PHASE III

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RADIANT ANALYTIC SOLUTIONS, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (U.S. Special Operations Command).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $36.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-01-27. End: 2022-01-29.

What specific services did Radiant Analytic Solutions, Inc. provide under this contract?

The contract falls under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541690, 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services.' While the specific deliverables are not detailed in the provided data, this category typically encompasses a wide range of specialized advisory and analytical support. Given the awarding agency (U.S. Special Operations Command), these services likely pertained to areas such as operational planning, intelligence analysis, technology assessment, strategic guidance, or support for special missions. Without access to the contract's statement of work or performance reports, the precise nature and scope of the services remain unspecified, making it difficult to fully assess their impact or value.

How does the $36.7 million contract value compare to similar sole-source contracts for technical consulting within the DoD?

Comparing this $36.7 million sole-source contract to similar ones within the DoD requires access to a broader dataset of federal contracts, specifically those awarded on a sole-source basis for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690) by agencies like U.S. Special Operations Command. Sole-source contracts inherently lack direct price competition, making value assessment difficult. However, if comparable sole-source contracts for similar durations and scope exist, they could serve as a benchmark. Generally, large sole-source awards for specialized technical services can range significantly based on the criticality and uniqueness of the required expertise. Without specific comparable data, it's challenging to definitively state if $36.7 million represents a high, low, or average value.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a $36.7 million contract without competition?

The primary risk associated with awarding a $36.7 million contract without competition is the potential for paying a higher price than would be achieved through a competitive bidding process. This lack of competition can reduce the government's leverage in price negotiations and may limit the exploration of innovative solutions or alternative approaches offered by other qualified vendors. Furthermore, without a competitive evaluation, there's a risk that the selected contractor may not be the most capable or cost-effective provider available in the market. Transparency and accountability can also be diminished, making it harder to justify the expenditure to taxpayers. The long duration of the contract (1828 days) exacerbates these risks if the initial justification for sole-source procurement was not robust or if market conditions changed.

What is Radiant Analytic Solutions, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Defense?

Radiant Analytic Solutions, Inc. has a history of receiving federal contracts. The provided data indicates this specific contract with the Department of Defense (DoD) was awarded in 2017 and completed in 2022. Further investigation into federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary to ascertain the full extent of their contract history, including the total value of contracts awarded, the agencies they have served, and the types of services rendered. Understanding their past performance, including any awards, past performance reviews, or contract disputes, would provide a more comprehensive picture of their track record, especially concerning their relationship with the DoD and U.S. Special Operations Command.

How does the $36.7 million spending on 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' by USSOCOM compare to historical spending patterns in this category?

To assess how this $36.7 million contract compares to historical spending patterns, one would need to analyze USSOCOM's (U.S. Special Operations Command) historical expenditures on NAICS code 541690 ('Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services'). This involves examining procurement data over several fiscal years to identify trends, average contract values, and the proportion of sole-source versus competitive awards within this service category. If this $36.7 million represents a significant portion of USSOCOM's annual spending on such services, or if it deviates substantially from historical averages, it might warrant further scrutiny. Conversely, if it aligns with established spending levels for critical, specialized support, it could be considered within normal parameters, though the sole-source nature remains a point of interest.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: H9222217R0014

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Maxar Technologies Inc. (UEI: 080921865)

Address: 2325 DULLES CORNER BLVD 10TH FLR, HERNDON, VA, 20171

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,122,899

Exercised Options: $37,122,899

Current Obligation: $36,727,297

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline