DoD's $12.4M FLEX TRAIN contract awarded to WINDSOR CONTINENTAL CORPORATION for machinery manufacturing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,443,686 ($12.4M)

Contractor: Windsor Continental Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-03-19

End Date: 2009-08-30

Contract Duration: 529 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FLEX TRAIN INSTRUMENTATION AND TRAINING

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $12.4 million to WINDSOR CONTINENTAL CORPORATION for work described as: FLEX TRAIN INSTRUMENTATION AND TRAINING Key points: 1. The contract value of $12.4 million represents a significant investment in specialized training equipment. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate selection process. 3. The contract duration of 529 days points to a moderately complex project requiring substantial development or delivery time. 4. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests that cost risks are primarily borne by the contractor. 5. Awarded by the Department of the Navy, this contract aligns with broader defense readiness and training initiatives. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 333319 categorizes the work under Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing. 7. The contract was awarded in March 2008 and completed in August 2009, indicating a historical procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $12.4 million contract is challenging without specific details on the 'FLEX TRAIN INSTRUMENTATION AND TRAINING' deliverables. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor assumed the primary cost risk. The duration of 529 days for a machinery manufacturing contract of this value appears reasonable, but a deeper analysis would require understanding the complexity and uniqueness of the instrumentation and training provided. Without comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing was optimal or if it represented good value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This procurement method implies that while the competition was initially intended to be broad, certain sources were excluded for specific reasons, potentially related to unique capabilities or prior performance. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'exclusion of sources' suggests a more controlled competition than a purely open one, which could impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources in the competition may have limited the number of potential bidders, potentially leading to a less competitive pricing environment for taxpayers compared to a fully open solicitation with maximum bidder participation.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract are likely personnel within the Department of Defense who will utilize the FLEX TRAIN instrumentation and training systems. The services delivered include the provision of specialized machinery and associated training, crucial for enhancing operational readiness. The geographic impact is primarily within Department of Defense facilities, though the specific locations are not detailed. Workforce implications may include specialized manufacturing roles for WINDSOR CONTINENTAL CORPORATION and training roles for DoD personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition details: The 'exclusion of sources' raises questions about the extent of true competition and potential impact on pricing.
Lack of performance metrics: Without specific performance data, it's difficult to assess the effectiveness and value derived from the instrumentation and training.
Historical data: The contract completion date in 2009 means current market conditions and technology may differ significantly.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract: This structure shifts cost risk to the contractor, potentially leading to more predictable project costs for the government.
Awarded by Department of Defense: Suggests alignment with critical national security and defense training needs.
Specialized machinery manufacturing: Indicates procurement of potentially unique or high-tech equipment necessary for specific training scenarios.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the 'Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing' sector, specifically NAICS code 333319. This sector encompasses the production of specialized machinery used across various industries, including defense. The market for defense-related training equipment is often characterized by high technological requirements and stringent performance standards. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for advanced simulation, training systems, or specialized instrumentation procured by military branches.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a primary focus, as the 'ss' (small business set-aside) field is false and the 'sb' (small business) field is also false. This suggests that the contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit indication of subcontracting requirements aimed at small businesses. The award to WINDSOR CONTINENTAL CORPORATION, presumably a larger entity given the contract value, means the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific procurement is likely minimal.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the Department of the Navy contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including delivery schedules, quality standards, and payment milestones. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected during the contract's lifecycle.

Related Government Programs

Defense Training Systems Procurement
Military Simulation Equipment
Specialized Machinery Manufacturing Contracts
Naval Training Programs
Government Fixed-Price Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Competition Details
Lack of Performance Metrics
Historical Data Relevance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $12.4 million to WINDSOR CONTINENTAL CORPORATION. FLEX TRAIN INSTRUMENTATION AND TRAINING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WINDSOR CONTINENTAL CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-03-19. End: 2009-08-30.

What was the specific nature of the 'FLEX TRAIN INSTRUMENTATION AND TRAINING' and its intended use within the Department of Defense?

The specific nature of the 'FLEX TRAIN INSTRUMENTATION AND TRAINING' is not detailed in the provided data. However, based on the contract title and the awarding agency (Department of Defense), it likely refers to a system designed for flexible and adaptable training scenarios, incorporating specialized instrumentation for data collection, simulation, or performance monitoring. Such systems are crucial for modern military training, allowing for realistic simulations of combat or operational environments, performance assessment, and iterative improvement of skills. The instrumentation component suggests a focus on measurable outcomes and detailed feedback for trainees. The intended use would be to enhance the readiness and effectiveness of military personnel by providing advanced, adaptable training solutions.

How does the contract value of $12.4 million compare to similar defense training equipment procurements?

Comparing the $12.4 million contract value requires context on the specific type and complexity of the 'FLEX TRAIN INSTRUMENTATION AND TRAINING.' Defense training equipment can range from basic simulators to highly sophisticated, integrated systems. If this contract involved advanced simulation technology, custom-built instrumentation, or comprehensive training program development, $12.4 million could represent a moderate investment. However, for simpler training aids or off-the-shelf equipment, it might be considered substantial. Without specific details on the deliverables and comparing it to contracts for similar advanced simulation or instrumentation systems procured by the DoD or other military branches, a precise benchmark is difficult. Generally, complex defense training solutions can range from millions to tens of millions of dollars.

What were the key factors leading to the 'exclusion of sources' in this full and open competition?

The 'exclusion of sources' in a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' typically occurs when the government identifies a need that can only be met by a limited number of responsible sources, or when specific circumstances warrant excluding certain potential offerors. Reasons could include the unique capabilities or proprietary technology possessed by specific contractors, prior successful performance on related systems, or specific security requirements. It implies that the initial solicitation may have been broad, but after reviewing initial interest or market research, the agency determined that only certain entities could fulfill the requirement effectively or efficiently. This method aims to ensure the best value while acknowledging that not all potential sources may be suitable or necessary for a particular complex requirement.

What is the track record of WINDSOR CONTINENTAL CORPORATION with the Department of Defense or similar government agencies?

The provided data indicates that WINDSOR CONTINENTAL CORPORATION was awarded this $12.4 million contract by the Department of the Navy. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their contract history with the DoD and other federal agencies. This would involve looking at the number of contracts awarded, their values, performance ratings (if available), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. A positive track record with successful past performance on similar complex machinery manufacturing or training system contracts would suggest reliability. Conversely, a history of issues could raise concerns about their capability to deliver on future requirements. Without access to a broader contract database or performance reviews, a definitive assessment of their track record is not possible from this single data point.

How has spending on 'Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing' (NAICS 333319) by the Department of Defense evolved over time?

Analyzing the historical spending trends for NAICS code 333319 by the Department of Defense requires access to historical procurement data over multiple fiscal years. This specific contract from 2008-2009 provides a snapshot. To understand the evolution, one would need to aggregate spending data for this NAICS code across different DoD agencies (Army, Navy, Air Force, etc.) over the past decade or more. Factors influencing spending in this sector include technological advancements in machinery, changes in military operational requirements, and overall defense budget allocations. A trend analysis could reveal whether DoD spending on specialized machinery manufacturing has increased, decreased, or remained stable, and identify key areas of investment within this broad category.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing › Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: TRAINING AIDS AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: N0017407R0039

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 500 MONTGOMERY ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,443,686

Exercised Options: $12,443,686

Current Obligation: $12,443,686

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline