DoD's $7.9M contract for calibration standards management awarded to A. Harold and Associates LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,926,038 ($7.9M)

Contractor: A. Harold and Associates LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-01-31

End Date: 2024-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,526 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE REQUISITE SUPPORT TO ENSURE THE MAINTAINABILITY OF CALIBRATION STANDARDS MANAGEMENT (CSM) AND ENSURING FLEET READINESS

Place of Performance

Location: BEAUFORT, BEAUFORT County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29904

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $7.9 million to A. HAROLD AND ASSOCIATES LLC for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE REQUISITE SUPPORT TO ENSURE THE MAINTAINABILITY OF CALIBRATION STANDARDS MANAGEMENT (CSM) AND ENSURING FLEET READINESS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on ensuring fleet readiness through calibration standards management. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Performance period spans over six years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control. 5. The contractor, A. Harold and Associates LLC, has a track record with the DoD. 6. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 7. Geographic focus appears to be South Carolina.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $7.9 million over approximately six years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, it's challenging to definitively benchmark value for money. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, while common, requires careful oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and the fixed fee is justified. Comparison to similar contracts for calibration standards management or fleet readiness support would be necessary for a more robust assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This suggests a robust bidding environment, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more competitive pricing for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the designation implies multiple offers were likely considered.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and ensuring the government receives services at a fair market price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Navy and its fleet, ensuring operational readiness. Services delivered include the maintenance and management of calibration standards. The contract has a geographic impact primarily in South Carolina, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications may include specialized technical roles for calibration and maintenance personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not closely monitored.
Ensuring consistent quality of calibration standards across a long performance period.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical fleet readiness function.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Long-term contract duration provides stability and continuity of service.
Contractor's focus on a specific niche (calibration standards management) may indicate specialized expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to defense readiness and maintenance. The market for specialized calibration and metrology services is crucial for maintaining the accuracy and reliability of military equipment. While specific market size data for this niche is not readily available, it's a critical component of the broader defense industrial base, supporting the operational integrity of various platforms.

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. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors, depending on their own procurement practices and the availability of specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded within the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, requiring detailed reporting and justification of costs. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may be internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Fleet Maintenance Contracts
Calibration Services
DoD Readiness Programs
Engineering Support Services

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
Technological Obsolescence
Long-Term Contractor Dependency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $7.9 million to A. HAROLD AND ASSOCIATES LLC. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE REQUISITE SUPPORT TO ENSURE THE MAINTAINABILITY OF CALIBRATION STANDARDS MANAGEMENT (CSM) AND ENSURING FLEET READINESS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is A. HAROLD AND ASSOCIATES 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 $7.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-01-31. End: 2024-12-31.

What is the track record of A. Harold and Associates LLC with the Department of Defense, particularly in calibration standards management?

A. Harold and Associates LLC has a history of performing contracts with the Department of Defense. While this specific contract focuses on calibration standards management for fleet readiness, their broader experience with the DoD would need to be reviewed to fully assess their capabilities and past performance. Analyzing previous contract awards, performance reviews, and any past issues or successes would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and expertise in fulfilling government requirements. Their ability to manage complex projects, adhere to schedules, and maintain quality standards on prior DoD engagements is crucial for evaluating their suitability for this ongoing requirement.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar calibration management services for other military branches or agencies?

Benchmarking the annual cost of this $7.9 million contract, which spans approximately six years, requires access to data on comparable contracts. Without specific details on the scope of services, the types of equipment calibrated, and the specific standards managed, a direct comparison is difficult. However, if the average annual spend is roughly $1.3 million ($7.9M / 6 years), this figure can be compared against publicly available contract databases for similar services. Factors like the complexity of the fleet, the criticality of the calibration standards, and the geographic distribution of assets would influence cost variations across different military branches or agencies. A detailed analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar objectives and contract types (e.g., CPFF) to establish a fair market price range.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for calibration standards management?

The primary risks with a CPFF contract for calibration standards management revolve around cost control and contractor incentive. While the fixed fee provides the contractor with a defined profit margin, the 'cost plus' component means the government reimburses allowable costs. This can create an incentive for the contractor to incur higher costs if oversight is not rigorous, potentially exceeding the anticipated total contract value. For calibration services, risks include potential cost creep due to unforeseen technical challenges, the need for specialized equipment or materials, or extended labor hours. Ensuring robust government oversight, detailed cost reporting, and clear definition of allowable costs are critical to mitigating these risks and ensuring value for taxpayer money.

How does the duration of this contract (over 6 years) impact the government's ability to adapt to technological advancements in calibration?

The extended duration of this contract, exceeding six years, presents a potential challenge for the government's agility in adopting new technologies for calibration standards management. While long-term contracts offer stability and continuity, they can also lock the government into specific methodologies or equipment that may become outdated. To mitigate this, the contract should ideally include provisions for incorporating technological advancements, regular reviews of best practices, and potentially options for modernization. The government must actively manage the contract to ensure that the services remain state-of-the-art and that opportunities to leverage new calibration technologies are explored and implemented throughout the contract's life cycle, rather than waiting for a complete re-competition.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) likely used to measure the success of this calibration standards management contract?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract would likely focus on ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and availability of calibration standards critical for fleet readiness. Examples could include: 'On-Time Delivery' of calibration services, 'Accuracy Rate' of calibrated standards against established tolerances, 'Compliance Rate' with relevant military and industry standards (e.g., ISO 17025), 'Equipment Uptime' for critical calibration assets, and 'Response Time' for urgent calibration needs. Additionally, 'Cost Performance' metrics, tracking actual costs against the estimated cost base within the CPFF structure, and 'Customer Satisfaction' surveys from fleet commands would be vital. These KPIs help ensure the contractor meets performance expectations and delivers value.

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: N6426718R3013

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7595 BAYMEADOWS WAY, JACKSONVILLE, FL, 32256

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,738,943

Exercised Options: $8,738,943

Current Obligation: $7,926,038

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017814D7579

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline