DoD's $29.2M artillery training contract awarded to Charles F. Day & Associates, LLC, for engineering services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,198,241 ($29.2M)

Contractor: Charles F. DAY & Associates, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2011-06-30

End Date: 2013-07-24

Contract Duration: 755 days

Daily Burn Rate: $38.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: ARTILLERY TRAINING AND FIELD SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: STAFFORD, STAFFORD County, VIRGINIA, 22556

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $29.2 million to CHARLES F. DAY & ASSOCIATES, LLC for work described as: ARTILLERY TRAINING AND FIELD SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $29.2 million over 755 days suggests a significant investment in artillery training capabilities. 2. The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating a specific justification for limiting initial bidders. 3. The 'Firm Fixed Price' contract type aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 4. The duration of 755 days points to a long-term need for sustained artillery training and field support. 5. Awarded by the Department of Defense, this contract aligns with national defense priorities. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 (Engineering Services) indicates specialized technical expertise was required.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar artillery training support services. The firm fixed price suggests an attempt to control costs, but the overall value proposition depends heavily on the quality and effectiveness of the engineering services provided. The contract's duration and total value indicate a substantial commitment, and its effectiveness would be measured by improvements in artillery training outcomes.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This procurement method implies that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, possibly due to specific technical requirements, prior performance, or security considerations. The number of bidders is not specified, but the exclusion of sources suggests a potentially narrower competitive field than a standard full and open competition, which could impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources may limit the range of competitive bids, potentially leading to higher prices for taxpayers compared to a broader competition. However, if the exclusion was justified by specialized needs, it could ensure the selection of the most capable contractor for critical defense functions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Army units requiring advanced artillery training and field support. The services delivered are expected to enhance the readiness and effectiveness of artillery forces. The geographic impact is likely concentrated around military installations where artillery training occurs. Workforce implications include potential employment for engineers and technical support staff involved in training development and execution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Exclusion of Sources' in the competition raises questions about the breadth of market engagement and potential cost implications.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value-for-money and effectiveness of the engineering services.
The firm fixed price, while offering cost certainty, could incentivize the contractor to minimize effort if not adequately monitored.

Positive Signals

Awarding a contract for artillery training and field support addresses a critical military capability need.
The firm fixed price structure provides a degree of budget predictability for the Department of Defense.
The contract duration suggests a commitment to sustained improvement in artillery training programs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting defense applications. The market for defense engineering services is substantial, driven by the continuous need for technological advancement and operational readiness within military branches. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for military training systems, simulation technologies, and field support services across different defense agencies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included small business set-asides. The prime contractor, Charles F. Day & Associates, LLC, is a small business itself. However, the contract's nature and scope may not lend themselves to extensive subcontracting opportunities for other small businesses, depending on the specific engineering tasks required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Defense's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance clauses and deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific operational details might be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Artillery Systems Modernization Programs
Military Training and Simulation Contracts
Defense Engineering Services
Field Support Services for Military Equipment

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Potential for cost overruns or quality issues under Firm Fixed Price if not managed.
Need for detailed performance metrics to assess value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $29.2 million to CHARLES F. DAY & ASSOCIATES, LLC. ARTILLERY TRAINING AND FIELD SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHARLES F. DAY & ASSOCIATES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-06-30. End: 2013-07-24.

What specific engineering services were provided under this contract to support artillery training?

The contract, valued at approximately $29.2 million, was for 'ARTILLERY TRAINING AND FIELD SUPPORT' and classified under 'Engineering Services' (NAICS 541330). While the specific details of the engineering services are not fully elaborated in the provided data, they likely encompassed technical support, system integration, maintenance planning, performance analysis, and potentially the development or refinement of training methodologies and equipment for artillery systems. This could involve anything from ensuring the operational readiness of training simulators to providing technical expertise for field exercises and live-fire events, all aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and safety of artillery training for Department of Defense personnel.

How does the contract value of $29.2 million compare to similar artillery training support contracts?

Direct comparison of the $29.2 million contract value for artillery training and field support is difficult without access to a comprehensive database of similar procurements. However, given the duration of 755 days (approximately two years), the average annual value is around $14.6 million. This figure suggests a significant and ongoing requirement for specialized engineering and support services related to artillery training. Larger, more complex defense contracts can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, while smaller, more focused support tasks might be in the single-digit millions. The value here appears to be in the mid-range for a substantial, multi-year support contract within a specialized defense niche.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'Firm Fixed Price' contract for engineering services in defense?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract aims to provide cost certainty for the government by establishing a price that is not subject to adjustment based on the contractor's cost experience. For engineering services in defense, potential risks include the contractor cutting corners on quality or scope to maintain profitability if costs exceed estimates, potentially impacting the effectiveness of training or the reliability of support. Conversely, if the contractor significantly underestimates costs, they might face financial distress or seek to renegotiate terms, leading to disputes. Effective oversight is crucial to ensure the contractor meets all performance requirements despite the FFP structure, and that the initial price accurately reflects the anticipated effort and risk.

What does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procurement method imply for this contract?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method suggests that the initial solicitation was intended to be open to all responsible sources, but specific sources were subsequently excluded. This exclusion typically occurs when a particular technology, capability, or prior performance is unique to certain contractors, or when national security concerns necessitate limiting the pool. It implies that while the government sought broad competition initially, the specific requirements of artillery training and field support, or the nature of the engineering services, led to a narrowed field. This can impact the level of competition and potentially the final price, as fewer bidders may participate compared to a standard full and open competition.

What is the track record of Charles F. Day & Associates, LLC, in fulfilling defense contracts?

Information on the specific track record of Charles F. Day & Associates, LLC, for this particular $29.2 million artillery training contract is limited in the provided data. However, the award itself indicates they were deemed capable of performing the required engineering services. To assess their broader track record, one would typically examine their past performance on similar government contracts, including factors like on-time delivery, quality of work, adherence to budget (where applicable), and overall customer satisfaction ratings. As a small business, their portfolio might be more specialized. Further investigation into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would be necessary for a comprehensive understanding of their performance history.

How does the duration of 755 days impact the assessment of this contract's value?

The duration of 755 days (approximately 2 years and 1 month) for this $29.2 million contract is significant. It indicates a long-term need for sustained artillery training and field support, suggesting that the services are critical and require ongoing expertise. Spreading the total value over this period results in an average annual expenditure of roughly $14.6 million. This extended timeframe allows for the development and implementation of more comprehensive training programs and provides stability for the contractor. However, it also means that the government is committed to this level of spending for an extended period, making the ongoing effectiveness and efficiency of the services paramount to realizing true value for money.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W15QKN11RC001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 702 N PERRY ST, DAVENPORT, IA, 52803

Business Categories: Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,610,425

Exercised Options: $29,198,241

Current Obligation: $29,198,241

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline