DoD's $13.8M Engineering Services Contract Awarded to Advanced Solutions for Tomorrow, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,884,632 ($13.9M)

Contractor: Advanced Solutions for Tomorrow, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2006-10-27

End Date: 2011-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,799 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: N00178-04-D-4003-N404

Place of Performance

Location: NEWPORT, NEWPORT County, RHODE ISLAND, 02841, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Rhode Island Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $13.9 million to ADVANCED SOLUTIONS FOR TOMORROW, INC. for work described as: N00178-04-D-4003-N404 Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which incentivizes contractor performance. 3. Duration of 1799 days indicates a significant, long-term engagement for engineering services. 4. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, Advanced Solutions for Tomorrow, Inc. 5. The contract falls under the Engineering Services NAICS code (541330). 6. The contract was awarded by the Department of the Navy. 7. The contract was awarded in Rhode Island. 8. The contract was not set aside for small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $13.8 million contract is challenging without specific deliverables or performance metrics. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure allows for flexibility but can lead to higher costs if award fees are consistently met without rigorous justification. Comparing it to similar engineering services contracts awarded by the Department of the Navy during the 2006-2011 period would provide better context on pricing and overall value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but the designation suggests a competitive process was intended. This approach generally aims to secure the best value for the government by leveraging market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to more competitive pricing for taxpayers, as multiple companies vie for the contract, potentially driving down costs.

Public Impact

The Department of the Navy benefits from specialized engineering services to support its operations. Advanced Solutions for Tomorrow, Inc. receives significant contract revenue, supporting its business operations and workforce. The contract's geographic impact is centered in Rhode Island, where the services are likely performed or managed. The contract supports a workforce of engineers and technical specialists, contributing to employment in the sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Award Fee contracts if award criteria are not strictly managed.
Lack of transparency on the number of bidders limits the assessment of the true competitive landscape.
Limited information on specific performance outcomes makes it difficult to fully assess the value delivered.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a commitment to a fair and broad solicitation process.
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivizes high performance and successful project completion.
Long contract duration suggests a stable and ongoing need for the services provided.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, characterized by firms providing specialized technical expertise for design, development, and implementation. The market for such services is competitive, with government contracts often representing a significant portion of revenue for specialized engineering firms. Benchmarking against similar contracts requires analyzing the specific engineering disciplines and the scope of work, which is not detailed here.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor is there an indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific contract is likely minimal unless the prime contractor engages in significant subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded within the Cost Plus Award Fee structure, which links contractor payment to performance against defined criteria. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports are often internal.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Engineering Services Contracts
Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Contracts
Cost Plus Award Fee Contracts
Engineering and Architectural Services

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts can lead to higher costs if not managed rigorously.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Limited information on the number of bidders impacts competition assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $13.9 million to ADVANCED SOLUTIONS FOR TOMORROW, INC.. N00178-04-D-4003-N404

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCED SOLUTIONS FOR TOMORROW, 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 $13.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-10-27. End: 2011-09-30.

What was the specific scope of engineering services provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'Engineering Services' under NAICS code 541330. However, the specific scope of work, such as the type of engineering (e.g., mechanical, electrical, civil), the projects supported, or the deliverables expected, is not detailed in the summary data. This level of detail is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the contract's purpose and value. Without it, comparisons to other contracts or assessments of performance are limited to general engineering service categories.

How did Advanced Solutions for Tomorrow, Inc.'s performance compare to the award fee criteria?

The contract utilized a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure, which means a portion of the contractor's profit was contingent upon meeting specific performance objectives. The data does not include information on the defined award fee criteria or the contractor's actual performance against those criteria. To assess the value and effectiveness, one would need to review the government's performance evaluations and the resulting award fee determinations. This would indicate whether the contractor achieved the desired outcomes and if the incentive structure successfully drove performance.

What was the total number of bids received for this full and open competition?

The data specifies that the contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' which implies that all responsible sources were allowed to submit offers. However, the exact number of bids received is not provided. Knowing the number of bidders is important for assessing the level of competition. A higher number of bids generally suggests a more competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and terms for the government. Conversely, a low number of bids, even under full and open competition, might indicate market limitations or specific requirements that narrowed the field.

What is the historical spending trend for engineering services by the Department of the Navy?

The provided data is for a single contract awarded in 2006. To understand historical spending trends for engineering services by the Department of the Navy, a broader analysis of multiple contracts over several fiscal years would be necessary. This would involve aggregating spending data across various contracts, agencies within the Navy, and engineering service categories. Such an analysis could reveal patterns in contract types, average award values, and the prevalence of full and open versus other competition types, providing context for the significance of this individual award.

Were there any significant challenges or issues reported during the performance of this contract?

The summary data does not contain information regarding challenges, issues, or disputes that may have arisen during the performance of this contract. A thorough risk assessment or performance evaluation would typically involve reviewing contract close-out documentation, any contract modification history, or reports from contract officers and inspectors general. Without such details, it is difficult to ascertain if the contract encountered significant hurdles or if it proceeded smoothly towards its objectives.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N0002406R3615

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 295 W CROSSVILLE RD STE 200, ROSWELL, GA, 30075

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,528,121

Exercised Options: $15,528,121

Current Obligation: $13,884,632

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017804D4003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline