DoD's $20.17M Battle Command Tech Contract Awarded to Viecore Federal Systems Division
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,170,497 ($20.2M)
Contractor: Viecore Federal Systems Division, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-09-29
End Date: 2012-11-28
Contract Duration: 1,156 days
Daily Burn Rate: $17.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Defense
Official Description: BATTLE COMMAND ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES
Place of Performance
Location: BURLINGTON, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01803
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $20.2 million to VIECORE FEDERAL SYSTEMS DIVISION, INC. for work described as: BATTLE COMMAND ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES Key points: 1. Contract awarded in 2009 for R&D services. 2. Viecore Federal Systems Division secured the contract. 3. Full and open competition was utilized. 4. The contract was for 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities' (NAICS 541720). 5. The contract duration was 1156 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $20.17M over approximately 3 years for R&D services appears within a reasonable range for specialized defense technology development. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing by allowing all eligible vendors to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve value for money.
Public Impact
Development of battle command enabling technologies could enhance military operational effectiveness. The contract's focus on R&D suggests potential for future technological advancements in defense. The duration and value indicate a significant investment in this specific area of defense research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract awarded in 2009, with performance ending in 2012; data may be outdated.
- Small business participation is not indicated (sb: false).
- Contract type is Time and Materials, which can carry higher cost risks if not managed closely.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Contract aimed at developing critical defense technologies.
- Contract was awarded to a specific division of a known federal systems company.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically within the defense domain. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority but requires careful oversight to ensure value and prevent cost overruns.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this contract award (sb: false). This suggests the prime contractor was likely a larger entity, and opportunities for small businesses may have been limited to subcontracting roles.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), indicating established oversight mechanisms. However, the Time and Materials contract type necessitates diligent monitoring to control costs and ensure efficient performance.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract type (Time and Materials) can lead to cost overruns.
- No indication of small business participation.
- Data pertains to a contract awarded over a decade ago.
- Specific R&D deliverables and their impact are not detailed.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-defense, ma, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $20.2 million to VIECORE FEDERAL SYSTEMS DIVISION, INC.. BATTLE COMMAND ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VIECORE FEDERAL SYSTEMS DIVISION, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-09-29. End: 2012-11-28.
What specific battle command capabilities were developed under this contract, and how were they integrated into military operations?
The provided data does not detail the specific battle command capabilities developed. Further investigation into contract performance reports and technical documentation would be required to understand the nature of the R&D outcomes and their subsequent integration into military systems or operational procedures.
Given the Time and Materials contract type, what measures were in place to control costs and prevent potential overruns for this $20.17M award?
Time and Materials contracts inherently carry a higher risk of cost overruns. Effective oversight by the DCMA would have been crucial, likely involving detailed tracking of labor hours, material costs, and regular reviews of progress against milestones to ensure the $20.17M ceiling was managed appropriately.
How did the 'full and open competition' process ensure the best value was achieved for the government in this R&D context?
Full and open competition allows multiple vendors to propose solutions, fostering a competitive environment that typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. For this R&D contract, it likely ensured that the government received proposals from a diverse range of capable firms, increasing the probability of selecting a solution that offered the best combination of technical merit and cost-effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Nuance Communications, Inc. (UEI: 797407517)
Address: 1 WAYSIDE ROAD, BURLINGTON, MA, 01803
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,455,497
Exercised Options: $20,455,497
Current Obligation: $20,170,497
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-09-29
Current End Date: 2012-11-28
Potential End Date: 2012-11-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-04-20
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