USMC Awards $36M SIGINT Support Contract to Vickers & Nolan Enterprises LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,158,531 ($36.2M)

Contractor: Vickers & Nolan Enterprises LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-08-31

End Date: 2026-05-04

Contract Duration: 1,342 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (USMC) SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE (SIGINT) SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: STAFFORD, STAFFORD County, VIRGINIA, 22556

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $36.2 million to VICKERS & NOLAN ENTERPRISES LLC for work described as: UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (USMC) SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE (SIGINT) SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $36.16M for SIGINT support. 2. Awarded via full and open competition. 3. Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type. 4. Services fall under Engineering Services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) type, which can lead to higher costs than fixed-price contracts if not managed carefully. The awarded amount is $36.16M, with a base of $2.69M.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the CPFF pricing structure may limit price discovery and could lead to costs exceeding initial estimates.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical SIGINT support services. The CPFF structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure cost efficiency and prevent unnecessary spending.

Public Impact

Ensures continued intelligence gathering capabilities for the USMC. Supports national security objectives through signals intelligence. Potential for cost efficiencies through competitive bidding, but CPFF requires vigilance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
Potential for cost overruns
Limited visibility into contractor's actual costs

Positive Signals

Full and open competition
Supports critical national security mission

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting specialized intelligence functions. Benchmarks for similar SIGINT support contracts are not readily available, but engineering services generally range widely in cost based on complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, and there is no indication that small businesses were specifically targeted or subcontracted. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight from the Department of the Navy to monitor costs, ensure performance, and prevent contractor overcharging. Regular audits and performance reviews are crucial.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type
Potential for cost overruns
Limited transparency into contractor's actual costs
Reliance on contractor's internal cost controls
Effectiveness of oversight for CPFF contracts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $36.2 million to VICKERS & NOLAN ENTERPRISES LLC. UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (USMC) SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE (SIGINT) SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VICKERS & NOLAN ENTERPRISES 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 $36.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-31. End: 2026-05-04.

What is the projected total cost of the contract given the CPFF structure and the remaining duration?

The current awarded amount is $36.16M with an estimated completion date of May 4, 2026. Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, the final cost is not fixed and depends on actual costs incurred by the contractor plus a fixed fee. Without detailed cost breakdowns and performance metrics, projecting the final cost is challenging, but it could exceed the current awarded amount if costs escalate.

What are the specific performance metrics and oversight mechanisms in place to mitigate risks associated with the CPFF contract type?

The contract details do not explicitly list performance metrics or detailed oversight mechanisms. However, for CPFF contracts, the Department of the Navy is expected to implement rigorous oversight, including regular progress reports, cost audits, and performance evaluations. Specific metrics should be defined in the contract's statement of work to ensure effective monitoring of SIGINT support quality and efficiency.

How does the cost of this SIGINT support contract compare to similar contracts awarded by other agencies or for comparable services?

Direct cost comparisons are difficult without access to detailed pricing data for similar SIGINT support contracts across different agencies. The $36.16M value over approximately 3.5 years for specialized engineering services suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking would require analyzing the scope of work, required expertise, and contract type (e.g., CPFF vs. fixed-price) for comparable services.

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: N6523621R3027

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 50 TECH PKWY STE 103, STAFFORD, VA, 22556

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $92,312,434

Exercised Options: $58,779,684

Current Obligation: $36,158,531

Actual Outlays: $9,861

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017819D8802

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline