DoD awards $8.2M for EVERFOX Tactical Ground Station software support to Copper River Data Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,201,702 ($8.2M)

Contractor: Copper River Data Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-10-31

End Date: 2026-10-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: EVERFOX TACTICAL GROUND STATION/VIRUS SCANNING PLUG-IN SUPPORT SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTION

Place of Performance

Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99501

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $8.2 million to COPPER RIVER DATA SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: EVERFOX TACTICAL GROUND STATION/VIRUS SCANNING PLUG-IN SUPPORT SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTION Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized software support, indicating a need for ongoing operational capability. 2. Sole-source award suggests limited market options or specific vendor expertise required. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract aims to control costs for the duration of the agreement. 4. The contract duration of 729 days provides a clear timeline for service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $8.2M over two years for specialized software support appears reasonable given the niche nature of tactical ground station and virus scanning solutions. Benchmarking is difficult without specific feature comparisons.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating that competition was likely limited due to specialized requirements or proprietary technology. This limits price discovery and potentially increases costs compared to a competitive environment.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may bear a higher cost due to the lack of competition, though the specialized nature of the software may justify the expense for critical operational needs.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational readiness for tactical ground station systems. Provides critical virus scanning capabilities for sensitive defense software. Supports the Department of the Army's cybersecurity posture. Maintains functionality of essential software for military operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Potential for vendor lock-in.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Clear contract duration.
Supports critical defense software.

Sector Analysis

The IT sector, particularly software publishers and support services, is crucial for modern defense operations. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on software complexity and criticality, but $8.2M for specialized support over two years is within a plausible range for niche defense applications.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a definitive contract awarded by the Department of the Army. Oversight would focus on performance delivery, adherence to the firm fixed price, and justification for the sole-source award.

Related Government Programs

Software Publishers
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may lead to higher costs.
Limited transparency into competition rationale.
Potential for vendor lock-in.
Dependence on a single provider for critical software.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $8.2 million to COPPER RIVER DATA SOLUTIONS, LLC. EVERFOX TACTICAL GROUND STATION/VIRUS SCANNING PLUG-IN SUPPORT SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COPPER RIVER DATA SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-31. End: 2026-10-30.

What specific capabilities does the EVERFOX Tactical Ground Station software provide, and how critical are these to current operations?

The EVERFOX Tactical Ground Station software likely provides command and control, data processing, and communication functionalities for deployed military units. Its criticality stems from enabling real-time situational awareness and operational decision-making in the field. The virus scanning plug-in specifically addresses cybersecurity threats to these sensitive systems, ensuring data integrity and operational security against evolving malware.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and were alternative solutions considered?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or essential integration with existing systems that only one vendor can provide. For the EVERFOX Tactical Ground Station, it's probable that Copper River Data Solutions, LLC holds specific intellectual property or has developed unique expertise essential for its operation and maintenance. Alternative solutions may have been deemed technically incompatible, prohibitively expensive to integrate, or would have introduced unacceptable operational risks.

How does the per-unit cost of this software subscription compare to similar tactical ground station or virus scanning solutions in the market?

Benchmarking the per-unit cost is challenging without knowing the exact number of units or licenses this $8.2M contract covers. However, given the sole-source nature and specialized application within the Department of Defense, the cost is likely higher than commercial off-the-shelf solutions. A detailed cost-benefit analysis would be required to assess its value proposition against the operational necessity and lack of competitive alternatives.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1577 C ST STE 300G, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99501

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,563,932

Exercised Options: $8,201,702

Current Obligation: $8,201,702

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline