DoD's DARPA Awards $31.6M for Advanced Resilience Support Services to Strategic Analysis, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $31,661,956 ($31.7M)
Contractor: Strategic Analysis, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-10-07
End Date: 2026-10-06
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $43.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: ADAPTIVE CAPABILITIES OFFICE - ADVANCED RESILIENCE DIRECTORATE SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $31.7 million to STRATEGIC ANALYSIS, INC. for work described as: ADAPTIVE CAPABILITIES OFFICE - ADVANCED RESILIENCE DIRECTORATE SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Strategic Analysis, Inc. for specialized technical services. 2. The contract value is $31.6 million over a 729-day period. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The sector is Defense, specifically supporting DARPA's Advanced Resilience Directorate.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. However, the fixed fee component provides some cost control. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized technical services is difficult without more granular data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to compete. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The $31.6 million award represents taxpayer investment in advanced resilience research and development for national security purposes.
Public Impact
Supports critical defense research and development for national resilience. Contract duration of nearly two years allows for sustained support. Award to a single vendor for a significant sum requires monitoring.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to assess value for money.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is developed.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition suggests a competitive award process.
- Supports a critical national security function (DARPA).
- Clear contract duration and value.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting defense research and development. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and national security.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Strategic Analysis, Inc., and there is no indication of small business participation in this specific award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure that the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure does not lead to excessive costs and that the contractor meets performance objectives. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) typically has robust oversight mechanisms.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Potential for limited future competition due to specialized knowledge.
- Lack of explicit small business subcontracting noted.
- Performance metrics not detailed in summary data.
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 $31.7 million to STRATEGIC ANALYSIS, INC.. ADAPTIVE CAPABILITIES OFFICE - ADVANCED RESILIENCE DIRECTORATE SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is STRATEGIC ANALYSIS, 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 $31.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-10-07. End: 2026-10-06.
How will the effectiveness of the 'Advanced Resilience Directorate Support Services' be measured to ensure optimal value for the $31.6 million investment?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through defined milestones, deliverables, and performance metrics outlined in the contract's statement of work. DARPA's program managers will monitor progress against these objectives, ensuring the services directly contribute to enhancing national resilience capabilities and achieving strategic goals. Regular reviews and reporting will be key to assessing value.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for specialized technical services, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risk is that the contractor may incur higher costs than anticipated, potentially leading to cost overruns beyond the fixed fee. Mitigation strategies include stringent oversight of contractor expenditures, detailed review of cost proposals, clear definition of allowable costs, and performance-based incentives. DARPA's established procurement and oversight processes are designed to manage these risks.
Given the specialized nature of the support services, what is the potential impact on future competition if Strategic Analysis, Inc. develops unique expertise?
If Strategic Analysis, Inc. develops unique, proprietary expertise, it could potentially limit future competition for similar services, leading to sole-source or limited-source awards. To counter this, DARPA should ensure that knowledge transfer and documentation requirements are robust, allowing for broader understanding and potential competition in subsequent contract actions.
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: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4075 WILSON BLVD, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $152,210,387
Exercised Options: $94,891,605
Current Obligation: $31,661,956
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 5
Total Subaward Amount: $9,188,363
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HR001124D0105
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-10-07
Current End Date: 2026-10-06
Potential End Date: 2029-10-06 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-25
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