DoD's DARPA awards $30.2M for consultant support, highlighting construction sector spending
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $30,248,706 ($30.2M)
Contractor: Mark G. Anderson Consultants Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-04-06
End Date: 2015-03-31
Contract Duration: 2,185 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Construction
Official Description: CONSULTANT SUPPORT FOR DARPA DIRO.
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $30.2 million to MARK G. ANDERSON CONSULTANTS INC. for work described as: CONSULTANT SUPPORT FOR DARPA DIRO. Key points: 1. Spending focused on consultant support for DARPA's DIRO program. 2. Contract awarded to MARK G. ANDERSON CONSULTANTS INC. under full and open competition. 3. Significant duration of 2185 days suggests a long-term need for services. 4. The contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount of $30.2M over approximately 6 years is difficult to benchmark without specific task order details. The 'time and materials' pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the 'time and materials' pricing type may limit the government's ability to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for consultant support, with the ultimate value dependent on the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided.
Public Impact
Supports critical research and development functions within DARPA. Provides specialized expertise that may not be available in-house. Contributes to the broader construction and professional services industry.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
- Long contract duration may not reflect evolving needs.
- Limited visibility into specific task order performance.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports a high-priority agency (DARPA).
- Contractor has a history of performance (implied by award).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically for consultant support. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on infrastructure projects and research needs, with consultant services often supporting complex technical requirements.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, MARK G. ANDERSON CONSULTANTS INC., is not identified as a small business. This contract did not appear to prioritize small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's long duration and 'time and materials' pricing necessitate robust oversight from DARPA to ensure cost control and effective service delivery. Regular performance reviews and audits would be crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Long contract duration may indicate scope creep or lack of defined deliverables.
- Limited transparency on specific services and performance metrics.
Tags
commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $30.2 million to MARK G. ANDERSON CONSULTANTS INC.. CONSULTANT SUPPORT FOR DARPA DIRO.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MARK G. ANDERSON CONSULTANTS INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $30.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-04-06. End: 2015-03-31.
What specific consulting services were provided under this contract, and how did they contribute to DARPA's mission objectives?
The contract provided consultant support for DARPA's DIRO program. While the exact nature of 'DIRO' is not specified, it likely relates to research, development, or operational support. The consultant's role would have been to offer specialized expertise, analysis, or project management assistance that aligned with DARPA's advanced technology initiatives, ultimately contributing to the agency's strategic goals.
What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the contractor's performance, and were they met?
Specific KPIs for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, for consultant support contracts, typical KPIs would include adherence to project timelines, quality of deliverables, cost-effectiveness, and responsiveness to DARPA's needs. Evaluating whether these were met would require access to performance reports and feedback from the contracting officer.
How did the 'time and materials' pricing structure impact the final cost compared to a fixed-price bid?
The 'time and materials' (T&M) structure allows costs to fluctuate based on the actual hours worked and materials used. This can lead to a higher final cost than a fixed-price bid if the project scope expands or inefficiencies arise. Conversely, T&M can be beneficial for projects with uncertain scopes, allowing flexibility. Without a comparable fixed-price bid, it's impossible to definitively state the cost impact.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
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: 6
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 730 11TH ST NW 4TH FL, WASHINGTON, DC, 20001
Business Categories: Category Business, Emerging Small Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $42,368,920
Exercised Options: $42,368,920
Current Obligation: $30,248,706
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS10F0073V
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-04-06
Current End Date: 2015-03-31
Potential End Date: 2015-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-06-13
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