DoD's $25.6M Contract for ISR Modeling & Simulation Awarded to Science, Engineering and Technology Associates Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,620,676 ($25.6M)

Contractor: Science, Engineering and Technology Associates Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-04-03

End Date: 2012-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,276 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: THIS IS A COST PLUS FIXED FEE CONTRACT IN RESPONSE TO U.S. ARMYS INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION WARFARE DIRECTORATE (I2WD), BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) SOLICITATION W15P7T-04-R-P008, TOPIC NUMBER: INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE TECHNOLOGIES, ISR SUB-TOPIC #4: MODELING AND SIMULATION. THE TITLE OF THIS EFFORT IS "REAL TIME REGIONAL GATEWAY ZONES OF PROTECTION WORKSTATION."

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $25.6 million to SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATES CORPORATION for work described as: THIS IS A COST PLUS FIXED FEE CONTRACT IN RESPONSE TO U.S. ARMYS INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION WARFARE DIRECTORATE (I2WD), BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) SOLICITATION W15P7T-04-R-P008, TOPIC NUMBER: INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE TECHNOLOGIES, ISR SUB-TOPIC #4: MO… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for ISR modeling and simulation technologies. 2. Science, Engineering and Technology Associates Corporation is the contractor. 3. Full and open competition was utilized. 4. The contract duration spans over three years.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

This is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Without specific performance metrics or benchmarks, assessing value is difficult. The fixed fee component provides some cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition via a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). This method allows for a wide range of potential offerors, promoting innovation and potentially better pricing through competitive proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced ISR technologies, aiming to enhance military intelligence capabilities. The competitive award process suggests an effort to secure fair market value.

Public Impact

Enhances U.S. Army's intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities. Supports the development of advanced modeling and simulation for ISR. Potential for improved real-time situational awareness in regional zones. Invests in cutting-edge technology for national security.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize contractor to increase costs.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
Contract awarded in 2009, may not reflect current technology needs or pricing.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Addresses critical ISR technology needs.
Long-term contract duration allows for sustained development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority, but often involves higher risk and longer development cycles.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, and there is no specific indication of small business participation or subcontracting in the provided data. The primary contractor is Science, Engineering and Technology Associates Corporation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, indicating federal oversight. However, the specific oversight mechanisms for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract and its progress are not detailed in the provided information.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Contract awarded in 2009, potential for outdated technology.
No explicit mention of small business utilization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $25.6 million to SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATES CORPORATION. THIS IS A COST PLUS FIXED FEE CONTRACT IN RESPONSE TO U.S. ARMYS INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION WARFARE DIRECTORATE (I2WD), BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) SOLICITATION W15P7T-04-R-P008, TOPIC NUMBER: INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE TECHNOLOGIES, ISR SUB-TOPIC #4: MODELING AND SIMULATION. THE TITLE OF THIS EFFORT IS "REAL TIME REGIONAL GATEWAY ZONES OF PROTECTION WORKSTATION."

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATES CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-04-03. End: 2012-09-30.

What specific deliverables were expected under this contract, and how was their successful completion measured to ensure value for money?

The provided data does not detail specific deliverables or performance metrics. For a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, success is typically measured against the achievement of defined objectives within the scope of work. Without this information, it's difficult to definitively assess if the $25.6 million investment yielded optimal value for the taxpayer beyond the contractor's completion of the agreed-upon tasks.

Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, what measures were in place to mitigate the risk of cost overruns and ensure efficient use of funds?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts inherently carry a risk of cost overruns as the government bears the cost of performance. While the fixed fee provides some incentive for efficiency, robust oversight, regular audits, and clear baseline cost estimates are crucial. The provided data lacks details on the specific oversight mechanisms employed by the DoD to manage this risk.

How effectively did the modeling and simulation work contribute to the U.S. Army's Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities?

The effectiveness of the 'Real Time Regional Gateway Zones of Protection Workstation' in enhancing ISR capabilities is not quantifiable from the given data. While the contract aimed to advance ISR technologies, its actual impact on operational effectiveness, decision-making, or intelligence gathering would require post-award performance reviews and operational assessments.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 611641312)

Address: 1005 N GLEBE RD STE 400, ARLINGTON, VA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $38,304,436

Exercised Options: $25,620,676

Current Obligation: $25,620,676

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline