DoD's DARPA Awards $54.8M for Director's Office Support Services to Schafer Government Services, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $54,844,328 ($54.8M)
Contractor: Schafer Government Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-05-08
End Date: 2026-05-07
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $75.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: DIRECTOR'S OFFICE SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $54.8 million to SCHAFER GOVERNMENT SERVICES, LLC for work described as: DIRECTOR'S OFFICE SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract is for "All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services" (NAICS 541990). 2. Schafer Government Services, LLC, is the sole awardee. 3. The contract has a duration of 729 days. 4. The award type is a Delivery Order. 5. The contract is Firm Fixed Price.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $54.8M over two years suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking against similar "All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services" contracts is difficult without more specific service details. The provided benchmark of $7.52M (likely annual) seems low for this contract's scope and duration.
Cost Per Unit: $7,523,200 (annualized estimate)
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. However, it is a Delivery Order, which might imply it's part of a larger IDIQ or existing contract vehicle, potentially limiting the scope of competition for this specific order.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential support services to the Director's Office at DARPA. The competitive award aims to ensure reasonable pricing, but the specific value for money requires further analysis of the services rendered.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operational support for DARPA's Director's Office. Supports critical research and development functions by providing necessary administrative and technical services. Potential for innovation in support services delivery. Impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of high-level decision-making within DARPA.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific service details makes value assessment challenging.
- Potential for scope creep in "All Other" service categories.
- Reliance on a single awardee for critical support functions.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type helps control costs.
- Supports a critical agency (DARPA) for national security and technological advancement.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category often supporting government agencies' core functions. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs, with significant portions allocated to R&D support, consulting, and specialized technical expertise.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, Schafer Government Services, LLC, is not indicated as a small business. There is no explicit mention of small business subcontracting goals in the provided data, suggesting limited direct impact on small business participation for this specific contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure the services provided align with the contract's objectives and deliver value for money. Monitoring performance metrics and adherence to the firm fixed price will be key accountability measures.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Broad service category lacks specificity.
- Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.
- Limited visibility into specific performance metrics.
- Sole awardee for critical support functions.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $54.8 million to SCHAFER GOVERNMENT SERVICES, LLC. DIRECTOR'S OFFICE SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SCHAFER GOVERNMENT SERVICES, LLC.
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 $54.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-05-08. End: 2026-05-07.
What specific services are included under "All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services" for the Director's Office, and how do they directly support DARPA's mission?
The specific services are not detailed in the provided data. However, this category typically encompasses a wide range of support functions such as administrative assistance, program management support, technical consulting, data analysis, and specialized scientific or engineering support. For DARPA, these services likely facilitate the operational efficiency of the Director's office, aiding in strategic planning, program oversight, and the execution of advanced research and development initiatives.
Given the "fair" rating for value, what specific metrics or comparisons would be needed to improve the assessment of this contract's cost-effectiveness?
To improve the value assessment, detailed service descriptions and associated labor categories/rates are needed. Comparing these rates to industry benchmarks for similar roles and experience levels within the defense sector would be beneficial. Additionally, performance data and outcome metrics demonstrating the impact of these services on DARPA's objectives would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness beyond just the price.
How does the "Delivery Order" nature of this contract potentially impact the long-term competition and cost control for DARPA's support services?
As a Delivery Order, this contract is likely issued under a pre-existing Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework. While the initial award was competitive, subsequent orders under the same IDIQ might have less robust competition or could be awarded to the same vendor, potentially limiting future price discovery. Effective management of the underlying IDIQ is key to ensuring ongoing competition and cost control.
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: HR001123R0001
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3811 FAIRFAX DR, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $168,763,457
Exercised Options: $62,333,036
Current Obligation: $54,844,328
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HR001124D0104
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-05-08
Current End Date: 2026-05-07
Potential End Date: 2029-05-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-10-06
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