DoD's $9.3M Program Management Support Contract Awarded to Bowhead Government Support Services LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,310,904 ($9.3M)

Contractor: Bowhead Government Support Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-07-31

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,004 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: QUANTICO, PRINCE WILLIAM County, VIRGINIA, 22134

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $9.3 million to BOWHEAD GOVERNMENT SUPPORT SERVICES LLC for work described as: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a non-competitive basis, raising questions about potential cost savings through broader competition. 2. The contract's duration of over 1000 days suggests a long-term need for program management expertise. 3. Engineering services (NAICS 541330) are critical for supporting complex defense programs. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 5. Virginia is the state of performance, indicating a concentration of defense contracting activity. 6. The award to a single vendor warrants scrutiny regarding market dynamics and alternative solutions.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without comparable sole-source awards for similar program management support services. The firm-fixed-price structure offers some cost predictability. However, the absence of competition means there's no direct market comparison to assess if the pricing represents the best value achievable. Further analysis would require understanding the specific scope of work and the contractor's historical performance on similar tasks.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This typically occurs when a specific contractor is deemed uniquely qualified or when circumstances prevent full and open competition. The lack of multiple bidders limits the government's ability to leverage competitive pressures to drive down costs and ensure the most innovative solutions are considered.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to competitively bid contracts, as the government does not benefit from the price reductions that often result from multiple offers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense programs requiring specialized program management support. Services delivered include essential program planning, execution, and oversight functions. The geographic impact is concentrated in Virginia, where the contractor will perform the work. The contract supports specialized roles within the defense sector, potentially impacting the workforce in engineering and program management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Sole-source awards can limit access to innovative solutions from a wider market.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support functions poses a risk.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Award to an established entity (Bowhead Government Support Services LLC) may indicate a level of trust and prior performance.
Focus on engineering services aligns with critical defense needs.

Sector Analysis

The defense sector relies heavily on specialized engineering and program management support to oversee complex weapon systems and technological advancements. This contract falls within the engineering services market, which is a significant component of federal contracting. Benchmarking against similar contracts for program management support within the DoD, especially those awarded non-competitively, would be necessary for a comprehensive value assessment.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. Analysis of subcontracting plans, if any, would be necessary to understand potential opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Defense Program Management
Engineering Services Contracts
Department of the Navy Contracts
Sole-Source Defense Acquisitions

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency in the procurement process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $9.3 million to BOWHEAD GOVERNMENT SUPPORT SERVICES LLC. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOWHEAD GOVERNMENT SUPPORT SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-07-31. End: 2026-04-30.

What is Bowhead Government Support Services LLC's track record with the Department of Defense, particularly on similar program management contracts?

Assessing Bowhead Government Support Services LLC's track record requires a detailed review of their past performance with the Department of Defense (DoD). This would involve examining previous contracts, including their value, duration, scope of work, and client feedback. Specifically, looking at prior program management support contracts would provide insight into their ability to deliver services effectively and efficiently. Information on past performance evaluations, any contract disputes, or awards for exceptional performance would be crucial. Without access to this specific performance data, it is difficult to definitively assess their capabilities and reliability for this current $9.3 million contract.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar sole-source program management support contracts awarded by the DoD?

Directly comparing the pricing of this $9.3 million sole-source contract to similar DoD awards is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of sole-source procurements with detailed pricing breakdowns. Sole-source awards, by their nature, lack the competitive bidding process that typically drives down prices. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify contracts with comparable scopes of work, service levels, and contract durations awarded non-competitively to similar types of companies. Factors such as the specific expertise required, the complexity of the programs supported, and the prevailing market rates for specialized program management personnel in Virginia would also need to be considered. A thorough analysis would likely involve consulting with subject matter experts in defense contracting and program management.

What are the primary risks associated with awarding a program management support contract on a sole-source basis?

The primary risks associated with awarding a program management support contract on a sole-source basis include potential overpayment due to the absence of competitive pricing, limited access to innovative solutions that might be offered by a broader range of contractors, and a reduced incentive for the sole-source provider to optimize performance or efficiency. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, where the government becomes overly reliant on a single provider, making it difficult and costly to switch vendors in the future. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes be perceived as lacking transparency and fairness, potentially impacting overall contractor morale and market confidence. The government must ensure robust justification for sole-source awards to mitigate these risks.

What is the expected effectiveness of the program management support services to be delivered under this contract?

The expected effectiveness of the program management support services hinges on the clarity and comprehensiveness of the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and the capabilities of Bowhead Government Support Services LLC. Effective program management support should lead to improved project timelines, better budget adherence, enhanced risk mitigation, and overall successful execution of the defense programs it serves. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract suggests a focus on defined deliverables and outcomes. However, without specific performance metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), and established oversight mechanisms within the contract, quantifying or guaranteeing the level of effectiveness is difficult. The DoD will need to actively monitor performance against the SOW to ensure desired outcomes are achieved.

How has federal spending on engineering services, particularly within the Department of Defense, trended in recent years?

Federal spending on engineering services, particularly within the Department of Defense (DoD), has generally seen a consistent or increasing trend in recent years, driven by modernization efforts, ongoing maintenance of existing systems, and the development of new defense technologies. The DoD is a major consumer of engineering services, encompassing a wide array of specialties from civil engineering to aerospace and systems engineering. Factors influencing this spending include geopolitical conditions, national security priorities, and the lifecycle of defense platforms. Analyzing historical spending data for NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services) across the federal government, with a specific focus on the DoD's budget allocations for such services, would reveal the overall market size and growth trajectory. This context is important for understanding the significance of individual contract awards like the one to Bowhead Government Support Services LLC.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: M6785423R6513

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6564 LOISDALE CT, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 22150

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,310,921

Exercised Options: $9,310,921

Current Obligation: $9,310,904

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline