DoD awards $12.7M engineering support contract to Scientific Research Corporation, with 4 orders issued

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,693,286 ($12.7M)

Contractor: Scientific Research Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-11-01

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: ENGINEERING SUPPORT IAW PWS 3.1

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, COBB County, GEORGIA, 30339

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $12.7 million to SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION for work described as: ENGINEERING SUPPORT IAW PWS 3.1 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the 4-year duration and scope of engineering services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process was utilized. 3. Potential risk indicators include the Cost Plus Fixed Fee pricing structure, which can incentivize cost overruns. 4. The contract supports the Department of the Navy's engineering needs, indicating a critical function. 5. Scientific Research Corporation is positioned as a key provider of engineering services to the defense sector. 6. The contract's duration of 1460 days (4 years) suggests a long-term need for these services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $12.7 million over four years averages to approximately $3.175 million per year. This figure seems within a reasonable range for specialized engineering support services provided to a major federal agency like the Department of the Navy. Benchmarking against similar contracts for engineering services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the initial figures do not raise immediate red flags.

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 bids. The presence of 4 delivery orders suggests that the initial award was followed by subsequent taskings or modifications. The level of competition is not explicitly stated beyond 'full and open,' but this method generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the most advantageous offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors, maximizing the value of federal dollars.

Public Impact

The Department of the Navy benefits from specialized engineering expertise to support its operations and projects. Services delivered include engineering support as defined by the Performance Work Statement (PWS). The contract's geographic impact is primarily associated with the contractor's location in Georgia (GA) and the Navy's operational areas. Workforce implications include the potential for employment of engineers and technical staff by Scientific Research Corporation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs if not closely managed, as contractor incentives may lean towards spending rather than efficiency.
The specific details of the PWS are not provided, making it difficult to fully assess the scope and potential for cost growth.
Limited information on the number of bidders in the full and open competition makes it hard to gauge the true competitive pressure on pricing.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
The contract has a defined duration of four years, indicating a stable and predictable need for services.
The contractor, Scientific Research Corporation, likely has a track record in providing engineering services to the government.
The contract is for engineering services, a critical function for the Department of the Navy.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS code 541330), a significant segment of the federal contracting market. The defense industry relies heavily on specialized engineering firms for design, development, testing, and sustainment of complex systems. Spending in this sector is often driven by national security requirements and technological advancements. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large engineering support contracts awarded by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (SB is false) and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, and opportunities for small business participation may be limited unless Scientific Research Corporation voluntarily includes them in their subcontracting efforts. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contract administration office within the Department of the Navy. Performance monitoring would be based on the PWS and delivery orders. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Engineering Services
Naval Sea Systems Command Contracts
Scientific and Technical Support Services
Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Contracts
Defense Engineering Research and Development

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires careful monitoring to manage potential cost overruns.
Limited public information on the number of bidders in the full and open competition.
Specific details of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) are not readily available for full scope assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $12.7 million to SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION. ENGINEERING SUPPORT IAW PWS 3.1

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 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 $12.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-11-01. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the track record of Scientific Research Corporation in performing similar engineering support contracts for the Department of the Navy?

Scientific Research Corporation (SRC) has a history of performing various contracts for the Department of Defense, including engineering and technical services. To assess their track record specifically for this type of engineering support for the Navy, a review of their past performance evaluations in federal databases would be necessary. This would include examining past contract awards, their successful completion, any performance issues or disputes, and client feedback. A detailed analysis would look at the size and complexity of previous Navy contracts handled by SRC to determine their suitability and experience level for the current $12.7 million award over four years. Without access to specific past performance data, it's assumed the government conducted due diligence during the procurement process.

How does the average annual cost of this contract compare to similar engineering support contracts awarded by the Department of the Navy?

The average annual cost for this contract is approximately $3.175 million ($12.7 million / 4 years). To benchmark this value, one would need to compare it against other Department of the Navy contracts for engineering services with similar scopes, durations, and complexity. Factors such as the specific engineering disciplines required (e.g., naval architecture, systems engineering, electrical engineering), the level of security clearance needed, and the geographic location of service delivery can significantly influence pricing. A comprehensive comparison would involve analyzing data from contract databases for contracts awarded within the last 1-3 years, looking for contracts with similar NAICS codes (541330) and contract types (Cost Plus Fixed Fee). If this contract's annual cost falls within the typical range for comparable services, it suggests fair pricing.

What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type used for this award?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, used here, presents specific risks. The primary risk for the government is that the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee. This structure can incentivize the contractor to incur higher costs, as their fee remains constant regardless of the total cost. While the fixed fee provides some cost certainty, it doesn't cap the total expenditure. Effective oversight, detailed cost monitoring, and robust performance metrics are crucial to mitigate the risk of cost overruns and ensure the government receives good value. The government must diligently audit costs and ensure they are reasonable, allocable, and necessary to the contract's performance.

What is the expected effectiveness of the engineering services provided under this contract in supporting the Department of the Navy's mission?

The effectiveness of the engineering services hinges on the clarity and completeness of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and the contractor's ability to meet its requirements. These services are expected to contribute to the Navy's mission by providing essential technical expertise for design, development, analysis, testing, or sustainment of naval systems and platforms. The contract's four-year duration suggests a sustained need, implying that these services are critical for ongoing operations, modernization efforts, or specific program support. The ultimate effectiveness will be measured by the quality of deliverables, adherence to schedules, and the impact these engineering solutions have on the Navy's operational readiness and technological advantage.

How has federal spending on engineering services (NAICS 541330) by the Department of the Navy trended over the past five years?

To analyze the trend in federal spending on engineering services (NAICS 541330) by the Department of the Navy over the past five years, one would examine historical contract award data. This analysis would involve aggregating the total dollar value of contracts awarded under this NAICS code by the Navy for each fiscal year. Trends could indicate increasing or decreasing reliance on external engineering support, potentially influenced by budget allocations, fleet modernization programs, or shifts in in-house capabilities. For instance, a consistent increase might suggest growing demand for specialized engineering expertise, while a decrease could signal budget constraints or a move towards different contracting strategies. This specific contract award of $12.7 million would be a data point within that broader trend.

What is the significance of the 'GA' state code and 'GEORGIA' state name associated with this contract award?

The 'GA' state code and 'GEORGIA' state name likely indicate the primary place of performance or the location of the contractor, Scientific Research Corporation. Many federal contracts include codes and names to denote the geographic area where the work will be performed or where the contractor is headquartered. This information is useful for economic impact analysis, understanding regional distribution of federal spending, and potentially for logistical considerations. If Georgia is the primary performance location, it suggests that this contract contributes to the local economy through job creation and business activity in that state. It also helps in understanding the geographic reach of federal procurement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N6600118R0001

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2300 WINDY RIDGE PKWY STE 400S, ATLANTA, GA, 30339

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,218,033

Exercised Options: $16,834,496

Current Obligation: $12,693,286

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $2,400,851

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6600119D3414

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline