DoD's $14.4M contract for engineering services to Tatitlek Support Services Inc. awarded in 2006

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,782,785 ($15.8M)

Contractor: Tatitlek Support Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2006-03-01

End Date: 2011-03-01

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200606!800043!1700!M67854!COMMANDING GENERAL !M6785406C8000 !A!N! !Y! ! !20060301!20070228!143850928!143850928!143850928!N!TATITLEK SUPPORT SERVICES, INC!1577 C ST STE 203 !ANCHORAGE !AK!99501!74936!135!13!SUWANEE !GWINNETT !GEORGIA !+000001974668!N!N!000000000000!J069!MAINT & REPAIR OF EQ/TRAINING AIDS & DEVICES !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !541330!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !B!U!J!1!001!N!5A!Z!Y!Z! ! !N!A!N!N!E! ! ! !D!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! !1727!M67854!0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99503

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.8 million to TATITLEK SUPPORT SERVICES INC for work described as: 200606!800043!1700!M67854!COMMANDING GENERAL !M6785406C8000 !A!N! !Y! ! !20060301!20070228!143850928!143850928!143850928!N!TATITLEK SUPPORT SERVICES, INC!1577 C ST STE 203 !ANCHORAGE !AK!99501!74936!135!13!SUWANEE !GWIN… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for engineering services, indicating a need for specialized technical expertise. 2. The contract was not competitively procured, raising questions about potential price overruns. 3. The duration of the contract (5 years) suggests a long-term need for these services. 4. The contractor, Tatitlek Support Services Inc., is based in Alaska, potentially impacting local economic development. 5. The contract falls under the Engineering Services category, a critical sector for government operations. 6. The award value of $14.4M signifies a substantial investment in support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $14.4 million over five years averages to approximately $2.88 million annually. Without specific benchmarks for similar engineering support services contracts within the Department of Defense or across government agencies, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The lack of competition suggests that pricing may not have been subjected to market pressures, potentially leading to a higher cost than if it had been competed. Further analysis would require comparison with contracts for similar scope and duration, considering the specific technical requirements and geographic location.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' indicating a sole-source procurement. This means that only one contractor, Tatitlek Support Services Inc., was solicited for this requirement. The reasons for sole-sourcing are not detailed in the provided data, but typically involve unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of market availability. The absence of competition limits the government's ability to explore alternative solutions and potentially negotiate better pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the lack of competitive bidding. Without multiple offers, there is less assurance that the price reflects the best possible value achievable in a competitive market.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Defense, which receives essential engineering support services. The services delivered likely involve technical expertise, planning, and execution of engineering tasks critical to military operations. The geographic impact is centered in Alaska, where the contractor is based, potentially creating local employment and economic activity. Workforce implications include the employment of engineers and support staff by Tatitlek Support Services Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced value for taxpayer money.
The sole-source nature of the award limits transparency and the government's ability to explore alternative solutions.
Without detailed performance metrics, it's difficult to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided.
The long contract duration could lead to complacency or a lack of incentive for continuous improvement if not properly managed.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses a specific need within the Department of Defense for engineering services.
The contractor, Tatitlek Support Services Inc., is established and has secured a significant government contract, suggesting some level of capability.
The contract duration indicates a stable, long-term requirement, allowing for consistent service delivery.
The award to a company based in Alaska may support regional economic development and provide opportunities for local workforce.

Sector Analysis

The Engineering Services sector (NAICS code 541330) is a critical component of the federal procurement landscape, encompassing a wide range of activities from civil and mechanical engineering to specialized technical consulting. Federal spending in this sector supports infrastructure projects, defense systems, research and development, and operational support across various agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks are highly variable, depending on the specific sub-sector, agency, and project complexity. However, contracts in this domain often represent significant investments due to the specialized knowledge and resources required.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The award to a single entity, Tatitlek Support Services Inc., means that opportunities for small businesses would primarily arise if Tatitlek itself chooses to subcontract portions of the work, which is not specified in the data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, as a Department of Defense contract, it would typically fall under the purview of the Department of Defense's internal oversight bodies, potentially including the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) for financial audits and the Inspector General for investigations into fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency would depend on the agency's policies regarding the release of contract details and performance reports. Accountability would be managed through contract clauses, performance reviews, and potential remedies for non-performance.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Engineering Services
Defense Support Services Contracts
Alaska-based Federal Contracts
Sole-Source Defense Procurements
Engineering and Technical Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing pressure.
Limited transparency regarding justification for sole-sourcing.
Potential for cost overruns due to lack of competition.
Performance metrics and outcomes not detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.8 million to TATITLEK SUPPORT SERVICES INC. 200606!800043!1700!M67854!COMMANDING GENERAL !M6785406C8000 !A!N! !Y! ! !20060301!20070228!143850928!143850928!143850928!N!TATITLEK SUPPORT SERVICES, INC!1577 C ST STE 203 !ANCHORAGE !AK!99501!74936!135!13!SUWANEE !GWINNETT !GEORGIA !+000001974668!N!N!000000000000!J069!MAINT & REPAIR OF EQ/TRAINING AIDS & DEVICES !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !541330!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !999

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TATITLEK SUPPORT SERVICES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-03-01. End: 2011-03-01.

What specific engineering services were provided under this contract, and how did they align with the Department of the Navy's mission requirements?

The contract description indicates 'MAINT & REPAIR OF EQ/TRAINING AIDS & DEVICES' and falls under NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services). This suggests the services likely involved the maintenance, repair, and potentially the technical support for equipment and training devices used by the Department of the Navy. The alignment with the mission requirements would depend on the specific operational needs of the Navy units being supported. For instance, ensuring the readiness and functionality of training simulators, maintenance equipment, or other specialized devices critical for personnel training and operational effectiveness would be a key alignment. Without more granular details on the specific equipment or training aids, a precise alignment is difficult to ascertain, but it points towards maintaining the tools necessary for naval readiness and personnel development.

Given the sole-source nature of this award, what was the justification provided by the Department of the Navy for not competing this requirement?

The data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is the government's designation for a sole-source award. However, the specific justification or rationale behind this determination is not provided in the abbreviated data. Typically, sole-source justifications are documented and approved internally, citing reasons such as the unique capability of the contractor, the urgency of the requirement where only one source can meet it, or the lack of market availability of other qualified sources. For a contract of this nature and duration, common justifications might include proprietary technology, specialized expertise developed over time with the agency, or a critical need that cannot be fulfilled through a lengthy competitive process without jeopardizing national security or essential operations.

How does the average annual value of this contract ($2.88 million) compare to other engineering services contracts of similar scope and duration awarded by the Department of Defense?

Comparing the average annual value of $2.88 million for this contract to similar Department of Defense (DoD) engineering services contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. Without such a comparative dataset, it's challenging to definitively benchmark this value. However, engineering services can range significantly in cost based on specialization, geographic location, security requirements, and the complexity of the equipment or systems being supported. Given that this was a sole-source award, there's a higher likelihood that the price may not reflect the most competitive market rate. A thorough benchmark analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar NAICS codes (541330), contract types (e.g., fixed-price), and durations (around 5 years) awarded by the DoD or other federal agencies, and then analyzing their average annual values, adjusting for inflation and specific service differences.

What is the track record of Tatitlek Support Services Inc. in performing federal contracts, particularly those related to maintenance and repair of equipment?

The provided data indicates that Tatitlek Support Services Inc. was awarded this $14.4 million contract by the Department of the Navy for maintenance and repair of equipment/training aids. This award itself suggests a certain level of capability and past performance that led the agency to select them, even on a sole-source basis. However, the abbreviated data does not offer details on their broader contract history, including the number of previous awards, their values, performance ratings, or any past issues. To assess their track record comprehensively, one would need to examine contract databases for other awards to Tatitlek Support Services Inc., look for performance evaluations (like Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and investigate any documented disputes or contract terminations.

What were the historical spending patterns for similar engineering support services within the Department of the Navy prior to and following this contract's award?

The provided data focuses on a single contract award and does not offer historical spending patterns for similar services within the Department of the Navy. To analyze historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov or FPDS) for contracts awarded under the relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 541330) and Product Service Codes (PSCs) related to engineering services, maintenance, and repair of equipment/training aids. This analysis would involve looking at spending trends over several fiscal years, identifying key contractors, and understanding the mix of competitive versus sole-source awards. Such a review could reveal whether spending on these types of services has increased or decreased, and whether the Navy has historically relied on sole-source providers or favored competitive bidding for these needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: THE Tatitlek Corporation (UEI: 103357398)

Address: 1577 C ST STE 203, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99501

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline