DoD's $778K ORSA Support Contract Awarded to Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. for Strategic Intelligence Analysis

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,782,794 ($7.8M)

Contractor: Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-07-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL, ANALYTIC, AND PROGRAM OPERATIONS RESEARCH AND SYSTEMS ANALYSIS (ORSA) SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE OFFICE OF STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE AND ANALYSIS (OSIA). SEE ATTACHED NUMBER 01 FOR PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT.

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $7.8 million to SYSTEMS PLANNING AND ANALYSIS, INC. for work described as: SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL, ANALYTIC, AND PROGRAM OPERATIONS RESEARCH AND SYSTEMS ANALYSIS (ORSA) SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE OFFICE OF STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE AND ANALYSIS (OSIA). SEE ATTACHED NUMBER 01 FOR PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on specialized technical, analytic, and program operations research and systems analysis (ORSA) support. 2. It aims to bolster the Office of Strategic Intelligence and Analysis (OSIA) capabilities. 3. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract, indicating a phased approach to service delivery. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and predictable costs for the government. 5. The duration of approximately one year allows for focused support on specific OSIA objectives. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, implying a focus on specialized capabilities potentially held by larger firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $778,279 for approximately one year of support appears reasonable for specialized intelligence analysis services. Benchmarking against similar ORSA support contracts within the Department of Defense (DoD) would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the niche nature of strategic intelligence analysis, the pricing is likely competitive within this specialized market. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service quality. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition was sought.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring the government receives the best possible value through a wide range of offers and potentially lower prices due to market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the analysts and decision-makers within the Office of Strategic Intelligence and Analysis (OSIA). The contract delivers crucial research, analytical, and systems analysis support to enhance strategic intelligence operations. The geographic impact is concentrated within the Washington Headquarters Services, supporting national-level intelligence functions. Workforce implications include the potential for specialized roles within Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. to support government intelligence efforts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'specialized technical, analytic, and program operations research and systems analysis' is not tightly managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical intelligence analysis support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The effectiveness of the support will heavily rely on the clarity of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and the contractor's ability to meet its requirements.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that should yield good value.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contractor, Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc., likely possesses specialized expertise relevant to the required ORSA support.
The contract duration of approximately one year allows for focused, actionable support to OSIA.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on research and analysis. The market for specialized intelligence analysis support is often characterized by a limited number of highly qualified firms capable of meeting stringent security and expertise requirements. Spending in this area within the DoD is substantial, supporting various intelligence, strategic planning, and operational analysis functions. Comparable contracts often involve deep technical expertise and high-level security clearances.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. This suggests that the requirement for specialized technical, analytic, and program operations research and systems analysis was likely deemed to require capabilities or resources best met by larger, established firms. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) and the Office of Strategic Intelligence and Analysis (OSIA). The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Performance monitoring against the requirements outlined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) will be crucial. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be sensitive due to the nature of intelligence work.

Related Government Programs

Intelligence Analysis Support Services
Program Research and Analysis
Systems Analysis Support
Strategic Planning Support
Department of Defense Research and Development

Risk Flags

Potential for key personnel dependency
Reliance on contractor for specialized intelligence analysis
Need for clear scope definition to prevent creep

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $7.8 million to SYSTEMS PLANNING AND ANALYSIS, INC.. SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL, ANALYTIC, AND PROGRAM OPERATIONS RESEARCH AND SYSTEMS ANALYSIS (ORSA) SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE OFFICE OF STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE AND ANALYSIS (OSIA). SEE ATTACHED NUMBER 01 FOR PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SYSTEMS PLANNING AND ANALYSIS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Washington Headquarters Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'specialized technical, analytic, and program operations research and systems analysis' required by OSIA?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL, ANALYTIC, AND PROGRAM OPERATIONS RESEARCH AND SYSTEMS ANALYSIS (ORSA) SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE OFFICE OF STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE AND ANALYSIS (OSIA)'. The Performance Work Statement (PWS), referenced as 'ATTACHED NUMBER 01', would contain the detailed requirements. Generally, ORSA support involves providing analytical expertise to assist program managers and decision-makers in understanding complex issues, evaluating program effectiveness, and informing strategic planning. This can include data analysis, modeling, simulation, cost-benefit analysis, and operational research techniques applied to intelligence gathering, processing, and dissemination.

How does the $778,279 contract value compare to similar ORSA support contracts within the DoD?

Benchmarking this specific $778,279 contract value against similar ORSA support contracts within the DoD requires access to a comprehensive database of federal contract awards with detailed service descriptions and pricing. However, for a contract duration of approximately one year (364 days) and a firm-fixed-price structure, this value suggests a focused scope of work. Contracts for high-level strategic intelligence analysis and systems research can range significantly based on complexity, security requirements, and the level of expertise needed. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents a high, low, or average cost, but it appears to be a moderate investment for specialized analytical support.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. for this critical intelligence support?

Potential risks include contractor performance issues, such as failing to meet deadlines or deliver the required quality of analysis. There's also a risk of key personnel turnover within the contractor's team, potentially disrupting continuity. Dependence on a single entity for specialized intelligence analysis could create vulnerabilities if the contractor faces financial instability or security breaches. Furthermore, if the scope of work is not clearly defined and managed, there's a risk of scope creep, leading to cost overruns or delays. Ensuring robust oversight and clear communication channels is vital to mitigate these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for ORSA support services by the Department of Defense?

Historical spending on ORSA support services by the Department of Defense is substantial and spans across various agencies and commands. These services are critical for maintaining situational awareness, evaluating strategic initiatives, and optimizing resource allocation. While specific figures for ORSA alone are not readily available without deep data mining, the broader category of 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (which includes ORSA) consistently represents billions of dollars annually for the DoD. Spending often fluctuates based on geopolitical events, evolving threats, and shifts in strategic priorities, with significant investments directed towards intelligence analysis and research.

How does the 'full and open competition' award mechanism impact the value received by taxpayers for this contract?

The 'full and open competition' award mechanism is designed to maximize value for taxpayers. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, it fosters a competitive environment where contractors are incentivized to offer their best pricing and technical solutions to win the contract. This broad competition increases the likelihood that the government will secure high-quality services at a fair and reasonable price. It prevents sole-source situations where pricing might be less scrutinized and ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by leveraging the full spectrum of available market capabilities.

Industry Classification

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

Solicitation ID: HQ003425RE045

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2001 N BEAUREGARD ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22311

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $52,687,753

Exercised Options: $9,536,084

Current Obligation: $7,782,794

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HQ003423D0033

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline