DoD awards $25.1M for artillery fire control support, with Decilog Inc. securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,128,005 ($25.1M)

Contractor: Decilog, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-09-16

End Date: 2026-09-15

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.2K/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: TASK ORDER AWARD FOR ARTILLERY WEAPON SYSTEM FIRE CONTROL SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: MELVILLE, SUFFOLK County, NEW YORK, 11747

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $25.1 million to DECILOG, INC. for work described as: TASK ORDER AWARD FOR ARTILLERY WEAPON SYSTEM FIRE CONTROL SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in advanced military technology. 2. Competition was conducted under a 'full and open' basis, suggesting a broad market approach. 3. The contract duration of approximately four years allows for sustained support and development. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. The award falls under custom computer programming services, indicating a focus on software and system integration. 6. Geographic location of the contractor in New York may influence local economic impact.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $25.1 million for artillery weapon system fire control support appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar complex defense systems contracts is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the primary risk for cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator of value if the contractor manages performance effectively. The duration of the contract also allows for potential economies of scale in service delivery.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This indicates that while the initial solicitation may have had some exclusions, the final award was made through a broad competitive process. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' nature suggests that multiple companies had the opportunity to compete, which typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified vendors. This approach aims to ensure the government receives the best value by leveraging market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through robust bidding and ensuring that the most capable and cost-effective solutions are considered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Army units requiring advanced fire control systems for artillery. The contract delivers critical support services for the maintenance, upgrade, and operational readiness of artillery weapon systems. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Defense's operational theaters, though the contractor is based in New York. Workforce implications include specialized engineering, software development, and technical support roles, potentially creating or sustaining high-skilled jobs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'fire control support' is not precisely delineated.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical system component could pose long-term supply chain risks.
Ensuring continuous technological relevance in a rapidly evolving defense landscape.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract aligns contractor incentives with cost control.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
Long-term contract duration allows for sustained system improvement and support.
Award to a single entity can foster deep expertise and streamlined support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the defense sector, specifically focusing on advanced weapon systems and associated technology. The market for defense electronics and software is highly specialized, characterized by significant R&D investment, long product cycles, and stringent performance requirements. Spending in this area is driven by national security priorities and technological advancements. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other major defense platforms or complex system integration contracts, often running into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications mandated by a small business set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Decilog, Inc., may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of its overall business strategy or to meet broader federal small business utilization goals, though this is not explicitly stated in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily be managed by the Department of the Army contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring Decilog, Inc. to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Army Fires Support Systems
Artillery Systems Modernization
Defense Software Development
Weapon System Integration
Military Fire Control Technology

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if system is highly proprietary.
Dependence on contractor for critical defense capability.
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities in complex integrated systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $25.1 million to DECILOG, INC.. TASK ORDER AWARD FOR ARTILLERY WEAPON SYSTEM FIRE CONTROL SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DECILOG, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-16. End: 2026-09-15.

What is Decilog, Inc.'s track record with similar defense contracts, particularly in fire control systems?

Decilog, Inc. has a history of performing various IT and engineering services for the U.S. government. While specific details on their experience with artillery fire control systems require deeper investigation into past contract awards and performance reviews, their classification under NAICS code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) suggests a capability in software development and integration relevant to such systems. Examining their past performance ratings, any past performance issues, and the scale of previous related contracts would provide a clearer picture of their suitability and reliability for this specific task order. A review of their contract history with the Department of Defense and other agencies would be necessary to fully assess their track record in this specialized domain.

How does the $25.1 million award compare to historical spending on artillery fire control support by the Department of the Army?

To accurately compare the $25.1 million award, historical spending data for artillery fire control support by the Department of the Army would need to be analyzed over several fiscal years. This analysis should identify similar task orders or contracts, considering factors like system type, scope of services (e.g., development, sustainment, upgrades), and contract duration. Without this specific historical data, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $25.1 million represents a substantial investment, suggesting either a significant upgrade, a new system implementation, or a multi-year sustainment effort for a critical capability. Understanding the trend of spending in this area – whether increasing, decreasing, or stable – would provide context for the current award's magnitude.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and risk mitigation strategies associated with this contract?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract would likely revolve around the successful development, integration, testing, and sustainment of the artillery weapon system's fire control capabilities. Specific KPIs might include system uptime, accuracy metrics, response times, successful software updates, and adherence to cybersecurity protocols. Risk mitigation strategies are inherent in the contract type (Firm Fixed Price), which places the financial risk of cost overruns on Decilog, Inc. Further mitigation would involve detailed technical specifications, phased delivery schedules with acceptance testing at each stage, and clear communication protocols between the Army and the contractor. The 'full and open competition' also serves as a risk mitigation tool by ensuring a vetted and capable vendor was selected.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader defense technology market and competition?

This contract award to Decilog, Inc. for artillery fire control support could influence the defense technology market by validating the company's capabilities in this niche area. If Decilog successfully delivers on this contract, it may enhance its reputation and position it for future, similar opportunities. The 'full and open competition' aspect suggests that the market has multiple players capable of providing these services, fostering a competitive environment. However, the concentration of a significant award like this with one contractor can also lead to market consolidation if smaller, specialized firms are unable to compete effectively on such large-scale efforts. The specific technology involved and its potential for broader application could also spur innovation among competitors.

Are there any known issues or concerns regarding Decilog, Inc.'s past performance or financial stability relevant to this contract?

A comprehensive assessment of Decilog, Inc.'s suitability for this $25.1 million contract would necessitate a review of their past performance records, including any CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) ratings, and their financial stability. Without access to these specific government performance databases, it's impossible to definitively state if there are known issues. However, the fact that the contract was awarded under 'full and open competition' implies that Decilog met the minimum qualifications and was deemed a responsible contractor by the Department of the Army at the time of award. Any significant past performance concerns or financial instability would typically be flagged during the source selection process.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 555 BROADHOLLOW RD STE 425, MELVILLE, NY, 11747

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $50,060,144

Exercised Options: $25,128,005

Current Obligation: $25,128,005

Actual Outlays: $2,630,034

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W15QKN22D0020

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline