DoD awards $16.19M engineering services contract to TECHNO-SCIENCES, LLC, with no competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,194,443 ($16.2M)
Contractor: Techno-Sciences, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2006-09-13
End Date: 2009-01-31
Contract Duration: 871 days
Daily Burn Rate: $18.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Place of Performance
Location: LANHAM, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20706
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $16.2 million to TECHNO-SCIENCES, LLC for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition. 2. Significant contract value of over $16 million for engineering services. 3. Long contract duration of 871 days. 4. Potential for cost overruns given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, combined with a lack of competition, makes a definitive pricing assessment difficult. Without benchmarks from similar competitively awarded contracts, it's hard to determine if the $16.19 million represents fair value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning no other vendors were considered. This significantly limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this substantial contract raises concerns about the efficient use of taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The long duration could indicate a critical or ongoing need for these engineering services. Lack of transparency in the procurement process hinders public scrutiny.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus contract type
- Long contract duration
- Lack of competition
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a specific company, potentially indicating specialized expertise.
Sector Analysis
Engineering services are crucial for various government functions, including defense. The benchmark for such contracts can vary widely based on complexity and scope. This $16.19 million award falls within a moderate range for specialized engineering support.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or if the scope of work inherently favored larger entities.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants closer oversight to ensure the government received fair value and that the procurement process was justified. Accountability for the pricing and performance rests heavily on the contracting agency.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
- Cost-plus contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Long contract duration may indicate potential for scope creep.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, md, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $16.2 million to TECHNO-SCIENCES, LLC. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TECHNO-SCIENCES, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $16.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-09-13. End: 2009-01-31.
What specific engineering services were provided under this contract, and why was a sole-source award deemed necessary?
The contract was for engineering services, with the specific details not provided in the data. A sole-source award is typically justified when only one vendor possesses the unique capabilities or resources required for the task, or in cases of urgent need. Without further documentation, the necessity for this specific sole-source award remains unclear and warrants investigation into the justification provided by the Department of Defense.
What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract awarded without competition?
The primary risks of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract awarded without competition include potential cost overruns and reduced incentive for the contractor to control expenses. Since the government agrees to cover all allowable costs plus a fixed fee, the contractor has less financial incentive to be efficient. Without competition, there's no market pressure to ensure the costs are reasonable or that the fixed fee is competitive.
How does the lack of competition impact the overall effectiveness and value for money in this contract?
The lack of competition significantly undermines the effectiveness and value for money. Competitive bidding drives down prices and encourages innovation as contractors vie for the award. A sole-source award removes these pressures, potentially leading to inflated costs and less rigorous performance standards. The government may not receive the best possible solution or price, impacting the overall effectiveness of the taxpayer investment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT › INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Orolia (UEI: 290468664)
Address: 4296 FORBES BLVD, LANHAM, MD, 20706
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-09-13
Current End Date: 2009-01-31
Potential End Date: 2009-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-11-01
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