DoD's $17.6M Biological Threat Reduction contract awarded to URS Federal Services International, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,571,585 ($17.6M)

Contractor: URS Federal Services International, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-08-14

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,051 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BIOLOGICAL THREAT REDUCTION PROGRAM AFRICA SUSTAINMENT AND INTEGRATING SUPPORT

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.6 million to URS FEDERAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC for work described as: BIOLOGICAL THREAT REDUCTION PROGRAM AFRICA SUSTAINMENT AND INTEGRATING SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $17.6M over approximately 3 years suggests a moderate investment in specialized technical services. 2. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code indicates a broad scope, potentially encompassing diverse support functions. 3. Awarded under 'Full and Open Competition', this contract likely benefited from a competitive bidding process, potentially driving better pricing. 4. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type allows for performance-based incentives, aiming to reward exceptional service delivery. 5. A duration of 1051 days (approx. 3 years) indicates a need for sustained support rather than a short-term project. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests the primary contractor is not a small business and subcontracting opportunities may be limited.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.6 million over approximately 35 months (1051 days) averages to roughly $500,000 per month. Without specific benchmarks for 'Biological Threat Reduction Program Africa Sustaining and Integrating Support,' it's challenging to definitively assess value for money. However, the CPAF structure incentivizes performance, which can lead to better outcomes. The competition level (full and open) suggests that pricing was likely scrutinized against multiple offers.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 4 bids suggests a reasonable level of competition for this specialized service. A competitive process generally leads to more favorable pricing and better service offerings as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it typically drives down costs through market forces and encourages a wider pool of qualified contractors to participate, ensuring the government receives the best value.

Public Impact

This contract supports the Department of Defense's efforts in biological threat reduction within Africa. It provides 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' likely encompassing a range of expertise crucial for threat mitigation and program sustainment. The geographic focus on Africa implies a direct impact on regional security and public health initiatives. The contract's success could contribute to a more stable and secure environment in the regions where it is implemented.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The broad NAICS code 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' could lead to scope creep if not managed carefully.
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure, while incentivizing, can sometimes lead to higher overall costs if award fees are consistently maximized without clear justification.
The sustainment and integration focus implies ongoing needs, potentially leading to follow-on contracts or extensions that require continued budget allocation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process and potential for competitive pricing.
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure is designed to incentivize high performance and quality service delivery.
The contract duration of over 3 years suggests a commitment to long-term program goals and stability.
The focus on biological threat reduction aligns with critical national security and global health priorities.

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is a significant component of federal contracting, encompassing a wide array of specialized expertise. This contract falls within the broader category of scientific and technical consulting services, often supporting defense, intelligence, and public health missions. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized capabilities. Benchmarking this contract's value would require comparison to similar contracts for biological threat reduction or specialized technical support in similar geographic regions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best overall solution from the broader market. While large businesses may engage small business subcontractors, the absence of a set-aside implies that small businesses were not the primary target for this specific award, potentially limiting direct opportunities unless they are part of a larger prime contractor's team.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the Department of Defense. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure inherently involves performance monitoring to determine award fee payouts. Transparency would be facilitated through contract reporting mechanisms and potentially through the agency's Inspector General if any issues arise. The specific oversight mechanisms would be detailed within the contract's terms and conditions.

Related Government Programs

Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support
Global Health Security Initiatives
Foreign Military Financing - Security Cooperation
Combating Terrorism Fellowship Program
Non-proliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to broad NAICS code.
Performance variability inherent in CPAF contracts.
Geopolitical risks associated with operating in Africa.
Dependency on sustained funding for program continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.6 million to URS FEDERAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC. BIOLOGICAL THREAT REDUCTION PROGRAM AFRICA SUSTAINMENT AND INTEGRATING SUPPORT

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 $17.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-14. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for the Biological Threat Reduction Program in Africa under DTRA?

Analyzing historical spending for the Biological Threat Reduction Program in Africa under DTRA would involve examining past contract awards and obligations over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in program funding, identify key contractors, and highlight shifts in program focus or geographic priorities. For instance, a review might show an increasing or decreasing trend in overall investment, or a pivot towards specific types of threat reduction activities. Understanding these patterns provides context for the current $17.6 million award, indicating whether it represents a typical level of investment or a significant change. Without access to specific historical obligation data for this program in Africa, a precise analysis is not possible, but such a review would typically involve querying federal procurement databases like FPDS or USASpending.

How does the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure for this contract compare to other similar biological threat reduction contracts?

The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type is common in federal contracting, particularly for services where performance is difficult to define precisely upfront or where innovation and exceptional service are highly valued. For biological threat reduction programs, CPAF allows the government to reimburse the contractor for allowable costs while providing an additional fee based on performance against defined criteria. Comparing this to similar contracts would involve examining the fee structures of other DTRA or Department of State contracts in this domain. If most similar contracts are also CPAF, it suggests this is a standard approach. If other contracts use fixed-price or cost-plus-incentive-fee structures, it might indicate unique performance expectations or risk profiles for this specific award. The key is to assess whether the award fee criteria are well-defined, measurable, and aligned with program objectives to ensure value for money.

What are the specific performance metrics and award fee criteria used in this URS Federal Services contract?

The specific performance metrics and award fee criteria for this URS Federal Services contract are detailed within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and the Performance Work Statement (PWS). These documents outline the expected deliverables, quality standards, and timelines. The award fee structure typically involves subjective and objective assessments by the government contracting officer's representative (COR) against these criteria. Examples of metrics could include the successful completion of threat assessment reports, the effectiveness of training programs delivered, the timely implementation of mitigation strategies, or adherence to safety protocols. The award fee amount is then determined based on the contractor's performance rating against these metrics, incentivizing them to exceed minimum requirements and deliver exceptional value.

What is the track record of URS Federal Services International, Inc. in performing similar biological threat reduction or international technical support contracts?

URS Federal Services International, Inc., now part of AECOM, has a significant history of performing complex technical services and support contracts for various government agencies, including the Department of Defense. Their track record in biological threat reduction and international technical support would need to be assessed by reviewing their past performance on similar contracts. This includes examining past performance evaluations, any reported contract disputes or terminations, and the successful completion of projects with comparable scope and complexity. A review of their portfolio might reveal experience in areas such as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) defense, international logistics, and program management in challenging environments. Assessing their past performance provides insight into their capability to successfully execute this current contract.

What is the estimated total cost per year for this contract, and how does it compare to the agency's budget for similar activities?

The total contract value is $17,571,584.98 with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2026, and a start date of August 14, 2023. This gives a duration of approximately 1051 days, or about 35 months. Dividing the total value by the duration yields an approximate annual cost of $6 million ($17.6M / 2.89 years). To compare this to the agency's budget for similar activities, one would need to access the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's (DTRA) budget justifications and appropriations for the relevant fiscal years. This would reveal how much funding is allocated specifically for biological threat reduction programs in Africa or similar international support efforts. Without direct access to DTRA's internal budget allocations, this comparison remains qualitative, but the $6 million annual figure provides a basis for understanding the scale of this particular award within the agency's broader financial landscape.

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 BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: HDTRA116R0027

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

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: $17,677,652

Exercised Options: $17,677,652

Current Obligation: $17,571,585

Actual Outlays: $23,031

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