DoD's $32.9M Task 6.4 Acquisition/Customer Support contract awarded to TRISEPT CORPORATION shows strong competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,879,883 ($32.9M)

Contractor: Trisept Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2012-09-19

End Date: 2018-08-23

Contract Duration: 2,164 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TASK 6.4 ACQUISITION/ CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: FORT GEORGE G MEADE, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 20755

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $32.9 million to TRISEPT CORPORATION for work described as: TASK 6.4 ACQUISITION/ CUSTOMER SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 2164 days suggests a long-term need for these services. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541712 points to R&D services. 5. The award was a Delivery Order, implying it was part of a larger contract vehicle. 6. The contract was awarded to a single entity, TRISEPT CORPORATION.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without knowing the parent contract or broader program context. The total award amount of $32.9 million over approximately six years suggests a significant investment. However, without comparable contract data for similar acquisition and customer support services, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The firm-fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control.

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 a bid. The presence of 3 bidders indicates a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. While competition is present, the exact number of bidders can influence price discovery. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition suggests that taxpayers likely benefited from competitive pricing, as multiple firms vied for the contract. This process helps ensure that the government is not overpaying for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Defense, specifically the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), which received acquisition and customer support services. The services delivered likely support critical defense information systems and operational needs. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting federal government operations. Workforce implications include potential employment opportunities for individuals with expertise in acquisition, customer support, and potentially R&D related fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the services provided.
The specific nature of 'Acquisition/Customer Support' is broad, requiring further detail to understand the full scope of work and associated risks.
The contract's duration without clear performance benchmarks raises questions about ongoing value and adaptability to evolving needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent procurement process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government.
The contract was awarded to TRISEPT CORPORATION, a known entity in government contracting.
The contract falls under NAICS code 541712, indicating a focus on specialized R&D services.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically NAICS code 541712. This sector is crucial for technological advancement and national security. Spending in this area by the Department of Defense is substantial, often involving complex projects requiring specialized expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within other large R&D contracts awarded by defense agencies for similar scientific and engineering support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, TRISEPT CORPORATION, is likely a larger entity capable of fulfilling the contract requirements independently or through its own established supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting agency, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), a component of the Department of Defense. Accountability measures would be embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Contracts
Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Acquisition Support Services
Customer Support Contracts
Information Technology R&D

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope creep given the broad task description.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes ongoing value assessment difficult.
Reliance on a single contractor for extended duration could pose continuity risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $32.9 million to TRISEPT CORPORATION. TASK 6.4 ACQUISITION/ CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRISEPT CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-09-19. End: 2018-08-23.

What specific R&D activities were encompassed by 'TASK 6.4 ACQUISITION/ CUSTOMER SUPPORT'?

The provided data classifies this contract under NAICS code 541712, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)'. However, the task description 'TASK 6.4 ACQUISITION/ CUSTOMER SUPPORT' is quite broad. It suggests that TRISEPT CORPORATION was likely engaged in providing support services related to the acquisition processes of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and potentially offering customer support for systems or programs managed by DISA. This could involve technical assistance, logistical support, documentation, or advisory services related to defense procurements and the operational use of defense systems. Without more specific task order details, the precise nature of the R&D or support activities remains generalized.

How does TRISEPT CORPORATION's performance on this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar services?

Assessing TRISEPT CORPORATION's performance against industry benchmarks is challenging with the provided data alone. The contract was awarded under a firm-fixed-price structure, which implies a focus on delivering defined services within a set budget. The duration of the contract (2164 days) suggests a sustained relationship. However, without access to performance reports, customer satisfaction surveys, or specific deliverables achieved, a direct comparison of quality, efficiency, or innovation is not possible. Benchmarking would typically involve analyzing metrics such as on-time delivery, adherence to specifications, cost savings achieved for the government, and user feedback, none of which are detailed here.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the Department of Defense?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential scope creep if the 'Acquisition/Customer Support' tasks are not clearly defined and managed, leading to cost overruns despite the fixed-price nature. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in if TRISEPT CORPORATION becomes indispensable to DISA's operations without adequate contingency planning. Performance risk exists if the quality of support degrades over time or fails to meet evolving defense needs. Furthermore, reliance on a single contractor for critical support functions could pose a risk if the contractor faces financial instability or operational disruptions. Finally, the broad nature of the task could obscure potential inefficiencies or a lack of true innovation.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'Acquisition/Customer Support' services by the Defense Information Systems Agency?

The provided data focuses on a single contract award for 'TASK 6.4 ACQUISITION/ CUSTOMER SUPPORT' valued at approximately $32.9 million. To understand historical spending patterns for DISA in this category, one would need to analyze a broader dataset encompassing multiple contracts over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying all contracts with similar descriptions or NAICS codes awarded by DISA, aggregating their values, and examining trends in spending volume, average contract values, and the number of awarded contracts. Without this broader context, it's impossible to determine if this specific contract represents a typical, increased, or decreased level of investment in such services by DISA.

How does the $32.9 million award compare to other R&D contracts in the physical and engineering sciences sector awarded by the DoD?

The $32.9 million award to TRISEPT CORPORATION for 'TASK 6.4 ACQUISITION/ CUSTOMER SUPPORT' falls within the mid-range for R&D contracts in the physical and engineering sciences sector awarded by the Department of Defense. The DoD invests billions annually in R&D, with individual contracts often ranging from a few million to hundreds of millions, and sometimes billions, depending on the scope and technological complexity. Contracts for basic research might be smaller, while those for advanced development, prototyping, and system integration tend to be significantly larger. This $32.9 million award suggests a substantial, but not exceptionally large, investment, likely supporting a specific project or a defined set of services within DISA's operational framework.

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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: HC104712R4014

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 15036 CONFERENCE CENTER DR STE 500, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,879,883

Exercised Options: $32,879,883

Current Obligation: $32,879,883

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0118V

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline