DoD Awards $2.7M for Aquatics Instruction to Survival Systems USA Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,733,901 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Survival Systems USA Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-01-01

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: AQUATICS INSTRUCTION

Place of Performance

Location: FORT CAMPBELL, CHRISTIAN County, KENTUCKY, 42223

State: Kentucky Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.7 million to SURVIVAL SYSTEMS USA INC for work described as: AQUATICS INSTRUCTION Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition. 2. High value for specialized training suggests potential for significant taxpayer investment. 3. Limited competition may impact price discovery and overall value for money. 4. Sector context: Defense training contracts often involve specialized, high-cost services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.7M for 729 days of service appears high for aquatics instruction. Benchmarking against similar specialized training contracts is difficult without more detail, but the lack of competition suggests potential overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may prevent the government from securing the best possible price through competitive bidding.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract.

Public Impact

Specialized training for military personnel ensures readiness. Potential for cost overruns due to sole-source nature. Ensuring quality and effectiveness of instruction is paramount.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
High contract value for specialized training
Lack of price competition

Positive Signals

Ensures specialized training needs are met
Clear contract duration and fixed price

Sector Analysis

Defense training contracts, particularly for specialized skills like aquatics, can be costly due to unique requirements and limited vendor pools. Benchmarks vary widely based on the specific skills and duration.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have provisions for small business participation, as it was awarded sole-source to a single large business.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure the quality of instruction and prevent potential cost creep, especially given the sole-source nature of the award.

Related Government Programs

Flight Training
Department of Defense Contracting
U.S. Special Operations Command Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for overpricing due to sole-source award.
Lack of transparency in vendor selection.
Risk of inadequate training quality without competitive pressure.
High expenditure for specialized, non-core services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.7 million to SURVIVAL SYSTEMS USA INC. AQUATICS INSTRUCTION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SURVIVAL SYSTEMS USA 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 $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-01. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?

The justification for a sole-source award is critical for understanding why competition was bypassed. Agencies typically require detailed documentation outlining the necessity of a specific vendor, such as unique capabilities or urgent needs. Without this, it's difficult to assess if taxpayers received fair value or if competitive options were overlooked, potentially leading to inflated costs.

How does the per-unit cost of this aquatics instruction compare to industry standards or previous contracts?

Benchmarking the per-unit cost is essential for evaluating value. If this contract's pricing significantly exceeds industry averages or historical data for similar specialized training, it indicates potential overpayment. A lack of competitive bids makes this comparison even more vital to ensure the government isn't paying a premium.

What metrics will be used to measure the effectiveness and quality of the aquatics instruction provided?

Defining clear metrics for effectiveness and quality is crucial for ensuring the $2.7M investment yields the intended results. This includes tracking trainee performance, instructor qualifications, and adherence to safety standards. Robust oversight and performance measurement are key to validating the contract's value and accountability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Technical and Trade Schools › Flight Training

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: H9223924R0010

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 144 TOWER AVE, GROTON, CT, 06340

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,198,907

Exercised Options: $2,733,901

Current Obligation: $2,733,901

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline