DoD's $21.6M IGF WAR GAMING SUPPORT contract awarded to Science Applications International Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,656,382 ($21.7M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2015-02-01

End Date: 2024-01-25

Contract Duration: 3,280 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF WAR GAMING SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ANDOVER, ESSEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01810

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $21.7 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF WAR GAMING SUPPORT Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the long duration and cost-plus fixed fee structure. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, suggesting potential for price discovery. 3. Risk indicators include the cost-plus fixed fee contract type, which can incentivize cost overruns. 4. Performance context is a long-term support contract spanning nearly a decade. 5. Sector positioning is within engineering services supporting defense operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $21.6 million over approximately 9 years (3280 days) suggests an average annual spend of roughly $2.4 million. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the cost-plus fixed fee (CPFF) structure, while common for complex services, carries inherent risks of cost escalation. Benchmarking against similar war gaming support contracts would be necessary for a more definitive evaluation of pricing and value.

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 data shows 3 bids were received. A competitive process like this generally allows for a broader range of potential contractors to participate, which can lead to more favorable pricing and innovative solutions for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and improves service quality.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from enhanced war gaming and simulation capabilities. Services delivered likely include analytical support, simulation development, and operational planning expertise. The geographic impact is primarily within the defense sector, potentially supporting various military branches and commands. Workforce implications include the employment of skilled engineers and analysts within Science Applications International Corporation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus fixed fee contract type may lead to higher costs than fixed-price alternatives.
Long contract duration could reduce flexibility to adapt to evolving technological needs.
Limited information on specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess efficiency.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Long-term nature of the contract indicates a sustained need for these specialized services.
Contractor has a significant presence in defense contracting, suggesting experience.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector, particularly within defense, is characterized by complex, long-term contracts requiring specialized expertise. This contract for war gaming support fits within this niche, providing critical analytical and simulation capabilities. Comparable spending in this area can vary widely based on the scope and duration of support, but significant investments are common for advanced military planning and training tools.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside requirement. The prime contractor, Science Applications International Corporation, is a large business.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Defense's contracting and program management structures, potentially involving the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) given the SA field. Accountability measures are inherent in the CPFF contract type, requiring detailed cost reporting and justification. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

Defense Simulation and Training Support
Military Wargaming Services
Engineering and Technical Support Services
Department of Defense IT and Professional Services

Risk Flags

Cost-plus contract type may lead to higher costs.
Long contract duration could reduce flexibility.
Limited public information on specific performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $21.7 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF WAR GAMING SUPPORT

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 (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-02-01. End: 2024-01-25.

What is the historical spending trend for IGF WAR GAMING SUPPORT contracts awarded to Science Applications International Corporation?

Analyzing historical spending for IGF WAR GAMING SUPPORT contracts awarded to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) reveals a consistent engagement over several years. The current contract, valued at $21.6 million and spanning from February 1, 2015, to January 25, 2024, represents a significant portion of SAIC's work in this specific area. Prior to this award, SAIC likely held other contracts or task orders related to war gaming support, potentially with varying scopes and values. Without access to a comprehensive database of all historical contracts and their specific details, it's challenging to provide exact figures for past spending. However, the longevity and substantial value of this single award suggest a sustained demand for SAIC's services in this domain and a potentially significant cumulative spend over a longer period. Further investigation into contract databases like FPDS or SAM.gov, filtering by contractor, agency, and service description, would be necessary to quantify the precise historical spending trend.

How does the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) for this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar war gaming support services?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure for this $21.6 million war gaming support contract is common for complex, research-intensive, or evolving service requirements where the final costs are difficult to predict upfront. For CPFF contracts, the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. Industry benchmarks for CPFF contracts in defense engineering services typically see fixed fees ranging from 8% to 15% of the estimated cost. Without the specific cost and fee breakdown for this contract, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the CPFF structure inherently carries a higher risk of cost overruns for the government compared to fixed-price contracts. While it allows for flexibility and ensures the contractor is incentivized to perform the required work, it necessitates robust government oversight to manage costs effectively. If the fixed fee on this contract falls within the typical 8-15% range, it could be considered benchmarked appropriately, assuming the estimated costs are also reasonable and well-managed.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of the IGF WAR GAMING SUPPORT services provided by Science Applications International Corporation?

The provided data does not explicitly detail the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of the IGF WAR GAMING SUPPORT services. Typically, for war gaming support contracts, KPIs would focus on aspects such as the accuracy and realism of simulations, the timeliness of analytical reports, the effectiveness of training scenarios developed, and the ability of the support to inform strategic decision-making. Other potential KPIs could include user satisfaction surveys from military personnel who utilize the war gaming outcomes, the successful integration of new technologies or methodologies into the war gaming process, and adherence to project milestones and deliverables. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type often implies that performance is monitored through regular progress reports, reviews, and adherence to the Statement of Work (SOW). A thorough assessment would require access to the contract's SOW and any associated performance management plans.

What is the potential impact of Science Applications International Corporation's performance on this contract on their future bidding opportunities within the Department of Defense?

Science Applications International Corporation's (SAIC) performance on this $21.6 million IGF WAR GAMING SUPPORT contract is likely to significantly influence their future bidding opportunities within the Department of Defense (DoD). Positive performance, characterized by meeting or exceeding contract requirements, delivering high-quality services, managing costs effectively, and demonstrating strong project management, would build confidence with the DoD. This could lead to favorable past performance evaluations, which are a critical factor in DoD source selection processes. Conversely, any instances of poor performance, cost overruns, missed deadlines, or quality issues could negatively impact SAIC's reputation and potentially lead to lower scores on future proposals, making it harder to win subsequent contracts. Given the long duration and substantial value of this contract, its successful completion is a key reference point for SAIC's capabilities in specialized defense support services.

How does the $21.6 million total contract value compare to the overall annual spending of the Department of Defense on simulation and war gaming capabilities?

The $21.6 million total contract value for IGF WAR GAMING SUPPORT represents a specific investment in simulation and war gaming capabilities within the Department of Defense (DoD). To contextualize this figure, it's essential to consider the DoD's overall budget for simulation, training, and experimentation, which amounts to billions of dollars annually. This contract, while substantial for a single award, is likely a component of a broader strategy. The DoD invests heavily in developing and maintaining advanced simulation environments, virtual training platforms, and sophisticated war gaming exercises to prepare personnel and test strategies. Therefore, $21.6 million is a significant but not overwhelming portion of the total DoD spending in this domain. It highlights the importance placed on specialized support services that enhance the realism and effectiveness of these critical capabilities, rather than representing the entirety of the DoD's investment in simulation and war gaming technology and infrastructure.

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: N0002414R3322

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12010 SUNSET HILLS RD, 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: $37,914,588

Exercised Options: $23,344,526

Current Obligation: $21,656,382

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $849,192

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017804D4143

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline