Leidos Inc. awarded $11.3M for SETA support to National Security Space Office, highlighting consulting services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,335,591 ($11.3M)
Contractor: Leidos, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2007-06-29
End Date: 2009-12-17
Contract Duration: 902 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.6K/day
Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: SETA SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY SPACE OFFICE
Place of Performance
Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20170
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $11.3 million to LEIDOS, INC. for work described as: SETA SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY SPACE OFFICE Key points: 1. The contract value of $11.3M for SETA support suggests a significant investment in specialized expertise for national security space initiatives. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are not detailed, but the 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' type indicates a bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are not explicitly provided, but the nature of national security space operations implies a high-stakes environment. 4. Performance context is limited to the duration of the contract (902 days), suggesting a medium-term engagement for specialized support. 5. Sector positioning is within 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services,' a broad category often supporting complex government functions.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of $11.3M for SETA support is challenging without specific deliverables or comparable contracts. The 'TIME AND MATERIALS' pricing structure can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. However, the contract was awarded competitively, which should theoretically drive better pricing. The benchmark of $12,567 for 'br' (likely a unit cost or similar metric) is provided but lacks context for a definitive value assessment.
Cost Per Unit: $12,567 (context needed)
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' indicating that it was competed under a broader contract vehicle. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full-and-open' competition level suggests multiple interested parties were able to submit proposals. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better service quality compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely the National Security Space Office and associated national security agencies requiring specialized technical and advisory support. Services delivered include Scientific and Technical Consulting, crucial for planning, oversight, and execution of national security space programs. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational sphere of the National Security Space Office, likely concentrated in areas where these agencies are based. Workforce implications involve the engagement of specialized consultants, potentially augmenting government capabilities in critical areas.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure if not closely monitored.
- Dependence on a single contractor (Leidos, Inc.) for critical SETA support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
- The broad nature of 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' might obscure specific performance metrics and accountability.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting a baseline level of market validation for the proposed services and price.
- The contract duration of over two years indicates a sustained need for the services, implying importance to the agency's mission.
- Leidos, Inc. is a large, established government contractor, suggesting a degree of experience and capability in delivering complex services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically consulting. This sector is vital for government agencies requiring specialized expertise that may not be available in-house. The National Security Space Office operates in a highly technical and sensitive domain, necessitating high-caliber SETA (Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance) support. Comparable spending benchmarks for SETA support can vary widely based on the specific domain (e.g., aerospace, cybersecurity, intelligence) and the level of expertise required.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses ('sb': false). As a competitive delivery order, it's possible that small businesses could have participated as subcontractors to the prime contractor, Leidos, Inc. However, without specific subcontracting plans or data, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear. Large prime contracts like this often involve subcontracting opportunities, but the extent to which small businesses benefit depends on the prime's strategy.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight mechanisms would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of the Interior and the National Security Space Office. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is generally limited for national security-related contracts, but the award itself is publicly reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- National Security Space Programs
- Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Intelligence Community Support Services
- Federal IT Consulting Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost creep in Time and Materials contracts.
- National security implications require stringent performance and security oversight.
- Dependence on specialized consulting services may indicate gaps in internal government expertise.
Tags
consulting-services, seta-support, national-security-space, competitive-delivery-order, time-and-materials, department-of-the-interior, leidos-inc, scientific-and-technical-services, virginia, federal-contracting
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $11.3 million to LEIDOS, INC.. SETA SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY SPACE OFFICE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LEIDOS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $11.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-06-29. End: 2009-12-17.
What is the specific nature of the SETA support provided under this contract?
The contract description 'SETA SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY SPACE OFFICE' indicates that Leidos, Inc. provides Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance. This typically involves providing expert advice, analysis, and support in areas such as program management, systems engineering, technical oversight, acquisition support, and strategic planning. For the National Security Space Office, this likely translates to supporting the development, acquisition, and operation of space-based systems critical for national security, including intelligence gathering, communications, and missile warning. The exact tasks would be detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW) which is not provided here.
How does the $11.3M contract value compare to typical SETA support contracts for similar agencies?
Comparing the $11.3M contract value requires context regarding the scope, duration, and specific services rendered. SETA contracts can range from a few million to hundreds of millions of dollars, heavily dependent on the complexity and criticality of the program supported. For a national security space office, which deals with high-cost, technologically advanced systems, $11.3M over approximately two years (902 days) appears to be a moderate investment. It suggests a focused scope of support rather than comprehensive program management for a major system acquisition. Without knowing the specific deliverables and the agency's overall budget for such support, a precise comparison is difficult, but it falls within a plausible range for specialized consulting.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for SETA support?
The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, like the one awarded to Leidos, Inc., is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. If the contractor's efficiency is low, or if the scope of work expands without adequate oversight, the total cost can escalate significantly beyond initial estimates. For the government, this necessitates robust oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours, and strict management of material purchases to ensure value for money and prevent uncontrolled spending. The 'br' value of $12,567 might relate to a benchmark hourly rate or a unit cost, which would be a key metric to monitor under a T&M structure.
What does the 'full-and-open' competition designation imply for the National Security Space Office's procurement process?
The 'full-and-open' competition designation signifies that the government provided maximum opportunity for all qualified sources to submit bids. This typically means the contract was competed under a broad agency announcement, a government-wide acquisition contract (GWAC), or a similar vehicle where any interested and capable company could participate. For the National Security Space Office, this implies a deliberate effort to leverage the widest possible market to find the best technical solution and pricing for their SETA support needs. It suggests a commitment to fair competition and potentially achieving better value by avoiding restrictions that might limit the pool of potential offerors.
How has federal spending on 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690) trended in recent years?
Federal spending on 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690) has generally shown an upward trend over the past decade, reflecting the increasing complexity of government operations and the need for specialized expertise across various domains, including national security, technology, and infrastructure. Agencies frequently rely on external consultants for program management, strategic planning, technical analysis, and research and development support. While specific year-over-year fluctuations occur based on budget cycles and agency priorities, the overall demand for these services remains robust. This particular contract, valued at $11.3M, contributes to this broader spending pattern within the federal government's reliance on specialized consulting.
What is the significance of the contract being a 'Delivery Order' versus a standalone contract?
The designation 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' indicates that this contract was issued under a pre-existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar multiple-award contract vehicle. Instead of awarding a completely new, standalone contract, the agency exercised an order against an existing contract. This approach is common for acquiring services over a period, allowing for flexibility and streamlined procurement. A 'Delivery Order' implies the specific goods or services to be delivered, and in this case, it was competed, suggesting that multiple awardees on the parent IDIQ contract had the opportunity to bid on this specific order, ensuring competition for this particular task.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 611641312)
Address: 13921 PARK CENTER ROAD, HERNDON, VA, 20171
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $11,335,591
Exercised Options: $11,335,591
Current Obligation: $11,335,591
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: INN06PC10439
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-06-29
Current End Date: 2009-12-17
Potential End Date: 2009-12-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-04-11
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