Navy awards $15.6M contract for marine mammal training services to Science Applications International Corporation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,613,344 ($15.6M)
Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-08-30
End Date: 2026-08-31
Contract Duration: 731 days
Daily Burn Rate: $21.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: US NAVY MARINE MAMMAL PROGRAM SAN DIEGO TRAINING SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92152
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $15.6 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: US NAVY MARINE MAMMAL PROGRAM SAN DIEGO TRAINING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 3. The duration of 731 days indicates a medium-term service requirement. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 611519 points to specialized technical and trade school services. 5. The awardee, Science Applications International Corporation, is a large, established government contractor. 6. The contract is for services in San Diego, California, a region with significant naval presence.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $15.6 million over approximately two years for specialized marine mammal training services appears within a reasonable range for such niche expertise. However, without specific benchmarks for comparable marine mammal training contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type introduces some risk, as it allows for the reimbursement of costs plus a fixed fee, potentially leading to higher final costs than fixed-price contracts if costs escalate.
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 bids. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized service. While competition is generally positive for price discovery, the specific nature of marine mammal training expertise might limit the number of qualified bidders.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it generally drives down prices through a competitive bidding process, ensuring the government receives the best possible value.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the US Navy Marine Mammal Program, which will receive essential training services. Services delivered include specialized training for marine mammals, likely for operational support, research, or security purposes. The geographic impact is concentrated in San Diego, California, a key naval hub. This contract supports specialized roles within the marine mammal training sector, potentially impacting a small but highly skilled workforce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- Limited number of bidders (3) may indicate a niche market where true price competition is constrained.
- The specific nature of marine mammal training requires specialized expertise, potentially limiting the pool of qualified contractors.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing the opportunity for multiple vendors to bid.
- The contractor, Science Applications International Corporation, is a large and experienced entity with a track record in government contracting.
- The contract is for a defined period, allowing for periodic re-evaluation of needs and contractor performance.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to specialized training and education (NAICS 611519). The market for marine mammal training services is highly specialized, likely dominated by a few firms with unique capabilities and experience. Federal spending in this niche area is typically driven by defense and research requirements, with the Department of the Navy being a primary customer.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee is a large corporation. There is no explicit indication of subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. This suggests that the primary contract value will likely flow to the large prime contractor, with limited direct benefit to the small business ecosystem unless subcontracting opportunities are pursued independently by the prime.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Navy contracting officers and program managers. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates robust financial oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, but detailed performance metrics and cost reports are typically internal to the agency and contractor.
Related Government Programs
- Navy Training Services
- Marine Mammal Programs
- Specialized Technical Services
- Defense Training Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
- Niche service area may limit competitive options.
- Contractor's specific experience in marine mammal training needs verification.
Tags
navy, marine-mammal-training, science-applications-international-corporation, department-of-defense, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, california, training-services, defense, specialized-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $15.6 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. US NAVY MARINE MAMMAL PROGRAM SAN DIEGO TRAINING SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL 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 $15.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-08-30. End: 2026-08-31.
What is the historical spending by the Department of the Navy on marine mammal training services?
Historical spending data for marine mammal training services by the Department of the Navy is not readily available in public databases without more specific contract identifiers or program names. However, the US Navy has a long-standing Marine Mammal Program, which has utilized animals for tasks such as mine countermeasures and security. Spending in this area would likely fluctuate based on operational tempo, research needs, and technological advancements. Analyzing past contracts awarded to Science Applications International Corporation or other specialized firms in similar service categories could provide some context, but a precise historical aggregate for this specific service is difficult to ascertain from general contract award data.
How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to similar marine mammal training services?
Determining a precise per-unit cost for this contract is challenging without knowing the specific units of service being procured (e.g., per training hour, per animal trained, per handler). The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) type, meaning costs are reimbursed plus a fixed fee, rather than a fixed price per unit. Benchmarking would require access to detailed cost breakdowns and data from comparable contracts, which are often not publicly disclosed. Given the specialized nature of marine mammal training, costs are likely to be high due to the expertise, facilities, and animal care required. The total award of $15.6 million over approximately two years suggests a significant investment in these specialized services.
What is the track record of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in providing similar training services?
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has a substantial track record in providing a wide range of technical, engineering, and IT services to the U.S. government, including the Department of Defense. While SAIC is known for its broad capabilities, specific experience in marine mammal training services would need to be verified through their contract history. They have historically been involved in complex defense-related programs, which may include elements of specialized training or support for unique operational requirements. A review of their past performance on similar contracts, particularly those involving live animal support or specialized operational training, would be necessary to fully assess their suitability and experience for this specific requirement.
What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for this service?
The primary risk associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for marine mammal training services is the potential for cost escalation. Under a CPFF arrangement, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee. If the contractor's costs exceed initial estimates, the government bears the burden of these increased expenses, up to the contract's ceiling. This structure can reduce the contractor's incentive to control costs rigorously, as their profit (the fixed fee) remains constant regardless of the actual costs incurred. Effective oversight, detailed cost accounting, and clear definitions of allowable costs are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.
How does the competition level (3 bidders) impact the value for taxpayers?
A competition level of three bidders for this specialized service suggests a moderate degree of market engagement. While more bidders generally lead to more competitive pricing, the niche nature of marine mammal training may inherently limit the number of qualified and capable firms. Three bidders indicate that the government had options and could leverage competitive dynamics to some extent. However, it is less competitive than a scenario with five or more bidders, which might have driven prices even lower. Taxpayers benefit from this competition by likely receiving a more reasonable price than a sole-source award, but the potential for even greater savings might have existed with a broader field of competitors.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Technical and Trade Schools › Other Technical and Trade Schools
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: N6600124R0029
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 12010 SUNSET HILLS RD FL 4, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $77,564,660
Exercised Options: $21,665,937
Current Obligation: $15,613,344
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $4,189,702
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-08-30
Current End Date: 2026-08-31
Potential End Date: 2031-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-10-23
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