Emprise Corporation awarded $27.5M for Engineering Services by the Department of the Navy, with a 398-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,514,856 ($27.5M)

Contractor: Emprise Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-11-26

End Date: 2025-12-29

Contract Duration: 398 days

Daily Burn Rate: $69.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: N102 - N7 - B. MCCOY - SAMM ENGINEERING SERVICES - AWARD - 2501A

Place of Performance

Location: LEDYARD, NEW LONDON County, CONNECTICUT, 06339

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $27.5 million to EMPRISE CORPORATION for work described as: N102 - N7 - B. MCCOY - SAMM ENGINEERING SERVICES - AWARD - 2501A Key points: 1. The contract value of $27.5M for engineering services appears reasonable given the 398-day performance period. 2. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources suggests a deliberate procurement strategy to ensure broad market access. 3. The firm fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. This award falls within the broader category of engineering services, a critical support function for defense agencies. 5. The contract's duration of just over a year indicates a need for ongoing, but not long-term, specialized engineering support. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests the primary contractor is likely a larger entity.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award of $27.5 million for engineering services over approximately 13 months represents a significant investment. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized engineering support within the Department of Defense is crucial for a definitive value assessment. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the government has negotiated a set price, which can be advantageous in controlling costs. The contract's duration and scope will heavily influence its overall value proposition.

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 indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria, possibly related to specialized capabilities or prior performance. The number of bidders is not specified, but this approach suggests a balance between ensuring a competitive environment and targeting specific expertise. The limited nature of the competition might influence price discovery compared to a truly unrestricted full and open process.

Taxpayer Impact: This procurement approach aims to leverage competition among qualified entities while potentially streamlining the selection process. Taxpayers benefit from competition among a defined set of capable contractors, which should lead to competitive pricing, though perhaps not as aggressively as in a completely unrestricted bid.

Public Impact

The Department of the Navy benefits from specialized engineering expertise to support its operations and projects. This contract likely supports critical naval engineering initiatives, contributing to fleet readiness and technological advancement. The geographic impact is primarily centered around the Navy's operational bases and facilities where these engineering services are required. The contract may have implications for the specialized engineering workforce, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in this sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'after exclusion of sources' clause requires careful review to ensure no qualified small businesses were unduly excluded.
The firm fixed-price nature, while good for cost control, can sometimes lead to scope creep if not managed meticulously.
The specific engineering services required are not detailed, which could mask potential risks if requirements are complex or novel.

Positive Signals

The use of 'Full and Open Competition' principles, even with exclusions, indicates an effort to achieve a competitive outcome.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The award to a single entity suggests a clear selection based on defined criteria, potentially indicating a strong fit for the required services.

Sector Analysis

Engineering services form a significant segment of the professional services market supporting government agencies, particularly in defense and infrastructure. This contract falls under the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. The market for defense engineering services is substantial, driven by the need for specialized expertise in areas like naval architecture, systems engineering, and advanced technology integration. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically look at the average cost per hour or per project for similar engineering disciplines within the Department of Defense.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that this was not a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best technical solution and price from the broader market, rather than specifically targeting small businesses. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without this data, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem, though larger prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Naval Engineering Support Services
Defense Professional Services
Engineering and Technical Support Contracts
Department of Defense Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' clause.
Risk of scope creep or quality issues in firm fixed-price contracts if not managed closely.
Lack of specific detail on engineering disciplines may hide complexity or unique requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $27.5 million to EMPRISE CORPORATION. N102 - N7 - B. MCCOY - SAMM ENGINEERING SERVICES - AWARD - 2501A

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EMPRISE 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 $27.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-26. End: 2025-12-29.

What specific engineering disciplines are covered under this $27.5 million contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Engineering Services' (nd: Engineering Services) and falls under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330, which is 'Engineering Services.' However, the specific sub-disciplines or areas of engineering expertise required are not detailed in the summary data. These could range broadly from mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering to more specialized fields like naval architecture, systems engineering, cybersecurity engineering, or aerospace engineering, depending on the Navy's specific needs. A deeper dive into the contract's statement of work would be necessary to identify the precise engineering disciplines involved.

How does the $27.5 million award compare to historical spending on similar engineering services by the Department of the Navy?

To compare this $27.5 million award to historical spending, one would need to analyze past contracts awarded by the Department of the Navy for 'Engineering Services' (NAICS 541330) with similar scopes and durations. This would involve querying federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for contracts over the last 3-5 fiscal years. Key comparison points would include the average award value, the number of bidders, the competition type, and the specific services rendered. Without this comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state whether this award represents a high, low, or average investment for the services procured. However, $27.5 million for a contract lasting just over a year suggests a substantial, specialized requirement.

What are the primary risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract of this magnitude and duration?

The primary risks associated with a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract of this magnitude ($27.5 million) and duration (398 days) revolve around scope definition and contractor performance. For the government, the main risk is that the contractor may deliver substandard quality to maximize profit, or that unforeseen complexities arise that were not adequately accounted for in the fixed price, potentially leading to disputes or the need for contract modifications. For the contractor, the risk is underestimating the effort required, leading to reduced profit margins or even losses if costs escalate beyond the fixed price. Effective government oversight, a clearly defined Statement of Work (SOW), and robust performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What does 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' imply for the procurement process and potential bidders?

'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' implies a two-stage process. Initially, the agency likely intended to compete the requirement broadly. However, specific sources were then excluded based on documented justifications (e.g., lack of capability, past performance issues, or specific technical requirements only met by a subset of potential offerors). This means the competition was open to all responsible sources *except* those excluded. It suggests the agency aimed for a competitive environment but had specific reasons to narrow the field. For potential bidders, it means understanding the exclusion criteria is key; if not excluded, they had a chance to compete, but the pool of competitors was smaller than in a completely unrestricted competition, potentially impacting the intensity of price competition.

What is the significance of the PSC code (if available) or NAICS code 541330 in understanding the nature of the services procured?

The NAICS code 541330, 'Engineering Services,' is highly significant as it broadly categorizes the core business activity being procured. This code covers firms that provide engineering services, including civil, mechanical, electrical, industrial, and environmental engineering, as well as services related to architectural and engineering planning and design. The Product and Service Code (PSC) is not provided in the summary data, but it would offer a more granular classification of the specific type of engineering service (e.g., 'R&D Support Services,' 'Engineering/Technical Services'). Together, these codes help classify the contract within the federal procurement landscape, enabling comparisons with similar procurements and understanding the market sector involved.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: N3220523R4078

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7 LORENZ INDUSTRIAL PKWY, LEDYARD, CT, 06339

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,555,074

Exercised Options: $27,555,074

Current Obligation: $27,514,856

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N3220524D0032

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline