DoD's $32.7M Contract with Kapili Services for Threat Reduction Analysis Lacks Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,709,895 ($32.7M)

Contractor: Kapili Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-12-16

End Date: 2026-12-15

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTER OPERATIONS

Place of Performance

Location: KIRTLAND AFB, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87117

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $32.7 million to KAPILI SERVICES, LLC for work described as: DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTER OPERATIONS Key points: 1. Significant spending on specialized technical services. 2. Sole-source award raises concerns about price discovery. 3. Long contract duration (5 years) may lock in costs. 4. Limited transparency on performance metrics and value. 5. Sector: Defense services, highly specialized.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to benchmark pricing against similar services, making value assessment challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competition. This limits the government's ability to secure the best possible price and may result in higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition likely means taxpayers are paying a premium for these services, as there was no market pressure to drive down costs.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying due to lack of competitive bidding. Limited public information on the specific services provided and their impact. Long-term commitment to a single vendor without market validation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Cost-plus contract type
  • Lack of transparency
  • Long contract duration

Positive Signals

  • Essential defense support services

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting defense threat reduction. Spending in this niche area is often high due to specialized expertise required, but competition can be limited.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Kapili Services, LLC, is not identified as a small business in this data. The lack of small business participation in sole-source contracts is a common concern.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial for cost-plus contracts, especially sole-source awards. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency must ensure rigorous monitoring of costs and performance to protect taxpayer interests.

Related Government Programs

  • All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award limits price competition.
  • Cost-plus contract type can incentivize higher spending.
  • Long contract duration may reduce flexibility.
  • Lack of detailed performance metrics.
  • Potential for cost overruns without strong oversight.

Tags

all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, nm, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $32.7 million to KAPILI SERVICES, LLC. DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTER OPERATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KAPILI SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Threat Reduction Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-12-16. End: 2026-12-15.

What specific threat reduction analysis activities are covered by this contract, and how do they directly contribute to national security objectives?

The contract supports the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's mission, likely involving analysis of weapons of mass destruction threats, proliferation risks, and related security challenges. Detailed activities would include data collection, modeling, simulation, and reporting to inform policy and operational decisions for national security.

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

Sole-source justifications typically cite unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of market availability. Without the specific justification, it's unknown if alternatives were explored. Agencies must document why competition was not feasible, often requiring extensive market research.

How is the effectiveness of Kapili Services' analysis measured, and what performance metrics are tied to the fixed fee component?

Effectiveness is likely measured through adherence to task orders, quality of deliverables, and timely completion. The fixed fee component suggests performance standards are established, but the specifics of these metrics and their link to the fee are not detailed in the provided data.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesOther Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesAll Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: HDTRA120R0054

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12565 RESEARCH PKWY STE 300, ORLANDO, FL, 32826

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Native Hawaiian Organization Owned Firm, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $49,217,540

Exercised Options: $41,332,127

Current Obligation: $32,709,895

Actual Outlays: $10,577,798

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2021-12-16

Current End Date: 2026-12-15

Potential End Date: 2026-12-15 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-12-29

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