DoD's DTRA Awards $34.7M for Technical Reachback Surge Services to Applied Research Associates
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $34,716,633 ($34.7M)
Contractor: Applied Research Associates, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-06-18
End Date: 2025-07-06
Contract Duration: 1,844 days
Daily Burn Rate: $18.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: DTRA TECHNICAL REACHBACK SURGE SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: FORT BELVOIR, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22060
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $34.7 million to APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: DTRA TECHNICAL REACHBACK SURGE SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Applied Research Associates, Inc. for $34.7M. 2. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). 3. Full and open competition was utilized. 4. Contract duration spans from June 2020 to July 2025. 5. The award is a Delivery Order under a larger contract.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' contracts is difficult due to the broad nature of the NAICS code.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The $34.7M awarded represents taxpayer funds allocated for specialized technical support services to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
Public Impact
Supports critical defense missions related to threat reduction. Ensures surge capacity for specialized technical expertise. Potential impact on national security through advanced scientific services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Broad NAICS code makes direct cost comparisons challenging.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Long-term contract provides stable support.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category. Spending in this sector is often driven by specific agency needs for specialized expertise, making direct sector-wide benchmarks less informative than contract-specific analysis.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Applied Research Associates, Inc. There is no indication in the provided data whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if the prime contractor is a small business.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is a Delivery Order, suggesting it is part of a larger Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, ensuring adherence to terms and conditions.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Broad NAICS code limits direct benchmarking.
- Potential for cost overruns.
- Specific services not detailed.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $34.7 million to APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC.. DTRA TECHNICAL REACHBACK SURGE SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Threat Reduction Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $34.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-06-18. End: 2025-07-06.
What specific technical reachback surge services are being provided, and how do they align with DTRA's mission objectives?
The provided data does not detail the specific technical reachback surge services. However, given DTRA's mission to counter weapons of mass destruction, these services likely involve rapid deployment of specialized scientific and technical expertise to support ongoing operations, threat assessments, or consequence management. The 'surge' aspect implies a need for on-demand capabilities beyond organic agency resources.
What is the risk associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract structure for this specific service?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure carries a risk of cost overruns if the contractor's costs exceed projections, as the government pays the actual costs plus a fixed fee. For technical services, especially those involving research and development or unforeseen challenges, estimating costs accurately can be difficult, potentially leading to higher-than-anticipated expenditures for the government.
How effective is the full and open competition in ensuring value for money for these specialized technical services?
Full and open competition is generally effective in promoting value for money by allowing multiple qualified vendors to bid, fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and improve service quality. However, the effectiveness can be moderated by the complexity of the services and the number of capable bidders in the market for highly specialized technical support.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: HDTRA118R0025
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4300 SAN MATEO BLVD NE STE A-220, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87110
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $60,891,017
Exercised Options: $60,891,017
Current Obligation: $34,716,633
Actual Outlays: $9,005,825
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 26
Total Subaward Amount: $31,977,995
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HDTRA119D0007
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-06-18
Current End Date: 2025-07-06
Potential End Date: 2025-07-06 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-06-27
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