DoD's Missile Defense Agency awards $14M contract to Vanguard Research for engineering services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,047,514 ($14.0M)

Contractor: Vanguard Research, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2001-10-01

End Date: 2006-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.0 million to VANGUARD RESEARCH, INC for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Vanguard Research, Inc. for engineering services. 2. Significant award value of $14,047,513.54. 3. Contract falls under the Engineering Services NAICS code 541330. 4. Duration of the contract is 1825 days (5 years).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $14M over 5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar engineering service contracts would be needed to assess if this pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment for contract awards.

Public Impact

Missile defense technology development impacts national security. Engineering services are crucial for complex defense systems. Long-term contracts can provide stability but require ongoing performance monitoring.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 76 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration is substantial (5 years).
Specific deliverables and performance metrics not detailed.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Firm Fixed Price contract type can control costs.

Sector Analysis

Engineering services are vital for the defense sector, supporting the design, development, and maintenance of complex military systems. Spending in this area is often high due to the specialized nature of defense requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would focus on Vanguard Research's performance against contract requirements and milestones. The Missile Defense Agency is responsible for ensuring the effective use of funds and successful project completion.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Missile Defense Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration of 5 years.
Lack of detailed service description.
Potential for cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.0 million to VANGUARD RESEARCH, INC. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VANGUARD RESEARCH, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Missile Defense Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2001-10-01. End: 2006-09-30.

What specific engineering services were provided under this contract, and how do they align with the Missile Defense Agency's strategic goals?

The contract specifies engineering services under NAICS code 541330. While the exact services aren't detailed, they likely encompass design, analysis, testing, and integration related to missile defense systems. These services are fundamental to developing and maintaining the technological capabilities required by the Missile Defense Agency to counter ballistic missile threats.

How does the $14M contract value compare to similar engineering service contracts awarded by the DoD for missile defense projects?

Without specific benchmarks for comparable missile defense engineering contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess value. However, $14M over five years represents an average annual spend of $2.8M. This figure needs to be compared against industry standards and other DoD contracts for similar scope and complexity to determine if it represents competitive pricing.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the effectiveness of Vanguard Research's engineering services under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific KPIs for this contract. Effective oversight would require clearly defined metrics related to technical performance, adherence to schedule, cost control, and quality of deliverables. The Missile Defense Agency would track these KPIs to ensure the contractor meets its obligations and contributes to program success.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1235 S CLARK ST, STE-501, ARLINGTON, VA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,966,504

Exercised Options: $1,966,504

Current Obligation: $14,047,514

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F0210K

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline