DoD's $12.9M Biological Threat Reduction Contract Awarded to URS Federal Services International

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,896,064 ($12.9M)

Contractor: URS Federal Services International, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-03-03

End Date: 2027-03-02

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BIOLOGICAL THREAT REDUCTION IN NIGERIA

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $12.9 million to URS FEDERAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC for work described as: BIOLOGICAL THREAT REDUCTION IN NIGERIA Key points: 1. Contract aims to reduce biological threats, a critical national security objective. 2. The award to URS Federal Services International, Inc. signifies a significant investment in this specialized area. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust market for these services. 4. The contract duration of 1460 days allows for sustained effort and impact. 5. Performance is managed by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, indicating a focus on high-stakes missions. 6. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code suggests a broad scope of potential activities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns and performance metrics. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed carefully, as contractor incentives are aligned with cost recovery and a fixed profit. However, for complex, undefined scopes like threat reduction, it can be necessary to incentivize contractor engagement. Further analysis of the contractor's past performance and adherence to budget on similar contracts would be needed for a more definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple capable vendors were likely solicited and evaluated. With 3 bidders identified, this suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized service. A competitive process generally helps in achieving better pricing and service quality by allowing the government to select the most advantageous offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for the funds expended on biological threat reduction efforts.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are national security interests through the reduction of biological threats. Services delivered likely include technical assistance, training, and potentially infrastructure support related to biological safety and security. The geographic impact is focused on Nigeria, addressing specific regional security concerns. Workforce implications may involve specialized scientific, technical, and logistical personnel deployed to the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

CPFF contract type requires careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency.
Scope definition for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' can be broad, potentially leading to scope creep if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a competitive market and potential for good value.
Long contract duration allows for sustained program execution and relationship building.
Award to a known entity (URS Federal Services International) may indicate prior successful performance in similar roles.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically addressing biological threat reduction. This is a niche but critical area within the broader defense and national security landscape. The market for such services is often dominated by a few specialized firms with the requisite expertise and security clearances. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of biological threat reduction, but it aligns with broader government investments in global health security and non-proliferation.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Given the specialized nature of biological threat reduction, it is common for such contracts to be awarded to larger, established firms with the necessary technical capabilities and resources. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans, but larger prime contractors are often required to engage small businesses in their subcontracting efforts, which could provide opportunities for smaller entities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is primarily the responsibility of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the awarding agency. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight and performance monitoring are crucial to ensure costs remain reasonable and objectives are met. Transparency would be enhanced by public reporting on key performance indicators and milestones achieved throughout the contract's duration. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Global Health Security Initiative
Biosecurity and Biosafety Programs
Non-proliferation, Arms Control, and Disarmament Programs
Foreign Military Financing

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
Challenges in defining and measuring success for broad technical services.
Geopolitical and security risks in the operating environment (Nigeria).
Logistical complexities of deploying resources and personnel internationally.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $12.9 million to URS FEDERAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC. BIOLOGICAL THREAT REDUCTION IN NIGERIA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is URS FEDERAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, 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 $12.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-03. End: 2027-03-02.

What is the track record of URS Federal Services International, Inc. in executing biological threat reduction contracts?

URS Federal Services International, Inc., now part of AECOM, has a history of supporting complex government programs, including those related to infrastructure, environmental services, and defense support. While specific details on their past performance solely on biological threat reduction contracts in Nigeria are not readily available in this dataset, their broader experience suggests a capacity to manage large-scale, technically demanding projects. A deeper dive into their contract history with agencies like DTRA or other components of the Department of Defense would be necessary to fully assess their specific expertise and success rate in this niche area. Reviewing past performance evaluations and any reported issues on similar contracts would provide further insight into their reliability and effectiveness.

How does the awarded amount of $12.9 million compare to similar biological threat reduction contracts?

Directly comparing the $12.9 million award to 'similar' contracts is challenging without a standardized definition of 'biological threat reduction' across all government procurements and a clear understanding of the specific scope of work for this contract. However, this figure represents a substantial investment, suggesting a multi-year effort with significant operational or technical components. Contracts in this domain can range widely based on geographic scope, specific threats addressed (e.g., chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear), and the level of support required (e.g., training, equipment, infrastructure development). For context, other DTRA programs or similar initiatives by agencies like the Department of State or HHS focused on global health security often involve multi-million dollar awards over several years, making this award appear within a plausible range for a significant, focused effort.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include the inherent complexities of operating in a foreign environment like Nigeria, potential political instability, logistical challenges, and the technical difficulty of accurately assessing and mitigating biological threats. There's also the risk of scope creep within the broad 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category and ensuring cost control under the CPFF structure. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management, close coordination with local authorities and the U.S. Embassy, adherence to strict safety and security protocols, detailed work breakdown structures, and continuous performance monitoring by DTRA. The contractor's experience and the competitive award process also serve as risk-reduction factors.

What is the expected program effectiveness and impact of this contract?

The expected impact is a measurable reduction in biological threats within Nigeria, contributing to regional and global security. This could manifest through improved biosafety and biosecurity infrastructure, enhanced capacity of local health and security personnel to detect and respond to biological incidents, and the secure management or elimination of dangerous pathogens. Program effectiveness will be judged by DTRA based on the achievement of specific, measurable objectives outlined in the contract, such as the number of facilities upgraded, personnel trained, or threats neutralized. The long duration suggests an aim for sustainable improvements rather than short-term fixes.

How has federal spending in biological threat reduction evolved over the past five years, and where does this contract fit?

Federal spending on biological threat reduction, largely driven by agencies like DTRA, has remained a consistent priority, often fluctuating based on global events and emerging threats. While specific aggregate figures require detailed budget analysis, there's a general trend of sustained investment in programs aimed at preventing the proliferation of WMDs and enhancing biosecurity globally. This $12.9 million contract represents a specific, targeted allocation within that broader spending picture, focusing on a particular geographic region (Nigeria) and a defined set of objectives. It fits within the larger framework of U.S. efforts to counter biological threats abroad, complementing other initiatives in different countries or focusing on different aspects of threat reduction.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: HDTRA116R0027

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Pae-Parsons Global Logistics Services, LLC

Address: 1300 EAST 9TH ST STE 500, CLEVELAND, OH, 44114

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,275,899

Exercised Options: $12,896,064

Current Obligation: $12,896,064

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HDTRA118D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline