DoD awards $19.3M for DARPA ACO engineering support to Strategic Analysis, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,343,776 ($19.3M)

Contractor: Strategic Analysis, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-11-20

End Date: 2026-11-19

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) ADAPTIVE CAPABILITIES OFFICE (ACO).

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.3 million to STRATEGIC ANALYSIS, INC. for work described as: ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) ADAPTIVE CAPABILITIES OFFICE (ACO). Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Strategic Analysis, Inc. for specialized engineering and technical support. 2. The contract is for DARPA's Adaptive Capabilities Office (ACO), focusing on advanced research. 3. This award represents a significant investment in defense research and development capabilities. 4. The duration of the contract is approximately two years, ending in November 2026.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee. This is common for R&D contracts where costs can be uncertain. The award amount of $19.3M seems reasonable for specialized engineering support over two years.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to procure specialized engineering services for a critical defense research agency, aiming to advance technological capabilities.

Public Impact

Supports advanced research and development for national security. Enhances DARPA's ability to develop cutting-edge technologies. Potential for technological breakthroughs with significant defense implications.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
Reliance on a single contractor for specialized services may limit future competition.
The specific nature of DARPA research can make cost benchmarking difficult.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting fair market pricing.
Supports a critical agency (DARPA) focused on future technological superiority.
Contract duration aligns with project needs for specialized support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting advanced research and development for the Department of Defense. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and national security.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting opportunities exist within this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Navy is the contracting agency, overseeing the award for DARPA. Standard DoD oversight mechanisms should be in place to ensure proper execution and accountability.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost growth under CPFF contract.
Limited visibility into specific project deliverables and outcomes.
Dependence on contractor expertise for specialized R&D.
National security implications of research outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.3 million to STRATEGIC ANALYSIS, INC.. ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) ADAPTIVE CAPABILITIES OFFICE (ACO).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STRATEGIC ANALYSIS, 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 $19.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-20. End: 2026-11-19.

What is the specific nature of the engineering and technical support required by DARPA ACO?

The specific nature of the support is not detailed in the provided data. However, given it's for DARPA's Adaptive Capabilities Office, it likely involves highly specialized, cutting-edge engineering and technical expertise related to developing and integrating novel technologies for defense applications. This could range from advanced materials and AI to cyber capabilities and novel sensor systems.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure mitigate risks for this type of R&D contract?

The CPFF structure aims to balance risk between the government and contractor. The fixed fee provides the contractor with an incentive to control costs, while the government assumes the risk of cost fluctuations inherent in R&D. Effective oversight is crucial to ensure costs remain reasonable and the fixed fee is justified by the scope of work.

What are the potential long-term impacts of this contract on technological advancement within the DoD?

This contract could significantly impact technological advancement by providing DARPA ACO with the necessary specialized expertise to accelerate the development and maturation of critical defense technologies. Successful outcomes could lead to breakthroughs that enhance U.S. military capabilities, provide strategic advantages, and address future security challenges.

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: N6523624R3018

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4075 WILSON BLVD STE 200, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $129,463,509

Exercised Options: $56,532,581

Current Obligation: $19,343,776

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $12,623,373

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017819D8578

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline