Eyak Services, LLC Awarded $23.8M for Neurocognitive Assessment Testing (ncat) Services by the Department of the Army

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,844,182 ($23.8M)

Contractor: Eyak Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2012-01-03

End Date: 2017-07-02

Contract Duration: 2,007 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEUROCOGNITIVE ASSESSMENT TESTING (NCAT) SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22041

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $23.8 million to EYAK SERVICES, LLC for work described as: NEUROCOGNITIVE ASSESSMENT TESTING (NCAT) SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a deliberate selection process. 2. The contract type is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price, suggesting predictable costs. 3. The contract duration of 2007 days (approximately 5.5 years) indicates a long-term service requirement. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 points to administrative and management consulting services. 5. The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, a significant component of the Department of Defense. 6. The base contract value is $11.88 million, with the total award reaching $23.84 million, showing significant option utilization or modifications. 7. The contract was not set aside for small businesses, suggesting it was awarded to a larger, established entity.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $23.84 million over approximately 5.5 years for NCAT services appears reasonable given the long-term nature and the firm fixed-price structure. Benchmarking against similar large-scale, long-term government contracts for specialized assessment services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The significant increase from the base award to the total award suggests either substantial option exercise or contract modifications, which warrant further investigation into the justification for these changes to ensure continued value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This specific procurement method implies that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded prior to the solicitation, possibly due to specific qualifications or prior relationships. With 3 bidders, the competition level was moderate, which can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing compared to a truly open competition with a larger number of participants.

Taxpayer Impact: The moderate competition level suggests that taxpayers may not have benefited from the most aggressive pricing possible, as the pool of potential bidders was narrowed before the solicitation. However, the exclusion of sources might have been justified by specific technical requirements, potentially leading to a better-suited service provider.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely military personnel requiring neurocognitive assessments for readiness, medical evaluations, or other service-related purposes. The services delivered are specialized testing and analysis related to cognitive functions, crucial for understanding an individual's mental capabilities. The geographic impact is primarily within the purview of the Department of the Army's operations, potentially supporting personnel across various installations. Workforce implications include the need for specialized personnel within EYAK SERVICES, LLC to conduct these assessments and the potential impact on military medical and administrative staff who manage these evaluations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method raises questions about the breadth of initial market research and potential missed opportunities for cost savings from a wider competitive field.
The significant increase from the base award to the total award ($11.88M to $23.84M) warrants scrutiny to ensure the expanded scope or duration provided commensurate value and was not due to scope creep without adequate justification.
The long contract duration (over 5 years) increases the risk of service obsolescence or the need for significant adaptation to evolving technological or medical standards.
Lack of small business participation could indicate barriers to entry for smaller, potentially innovative firms in this specialized service area.

Positive Signals

The use of a firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government, mitigating the risk of cost overruns.
The award to EYAK SERVICES, LLC, a single contractor, suggests a potentially streamlined management and delivery process for these specialized services.
The moderate number of bidders (3) indicates some level of market interest and capability for this type of service.
The contract's long duration implies a sustained and critical need for these neurocognitive assessment services within the Department of the Army.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized expertise. The market for government contracting in this area is substantial, with agencies frequently procuring services for analysis, testing, and management support. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large, long-term contracts for specialized assessment or consulting services awarded to the Department of Defense or other federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by `ss: false` and `sb: false`. This suggests that the requirement was likely deemed too specialized or large in scope for small business set-asides, or that the competition naturally favored larger, established firms. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans, but the absence of a small business set-aside implies that the primary contract is not directly aimed at fostering small business participation, though the prime contractor might engage small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring EYAK SERVICES, LLC to deliver services as specified to receive payment. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide public access to contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction may apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Medical Readiness Programs
Military Health System Services
Federal Consulting Services
Administrative and Management Support Contracts
Neuroscience Research and Development Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Significant increase from base award to total award requires justification.
Long contract duration may lead to service obsolescence.
Lack of small business set-aside.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $23.8 million to EYAK SERVICES, LLC. NEUROCOGNITIVE ASSESSMENT TESTING (NCAT) SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EYAK SERVICES, 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 $23.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-01-03. End: 2017-07-02.

What is the track record of EYAK SERVICES, LLC in performing similar government contracts, particularly those involving neurocognitive assessments?

Information on EYAK SERVICES, LLC's specific track record with neurocognitive assessment testing is not detailed in the provided data. However, the award of a significant contract by the Department of the Army suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience to meet the government's requirements. A deeper dive into their past performance reviews, contract history (including any awards or penalties), and client feedback on similar projects would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. Examining their financial stability and capacity to handle a contract of this magnitude is also crucial. Without this specific data, it's assumed the award was based on a satisfactory assessment of their capabilities and past performance by the contracting agency.

How does the per-unit cost or overall value of this contract compare to similar neurocognitive assessment services procured by other federal agencies or the private sector?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit cost details or granular service delivery metrics, making direct comparison difficult. The total award of $23.84 million over approximately 5.5 years for NEUROCOGNITIVE ASSESSMENT TESTING (NCAT) SERVICES is a substantial figure. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable contracts for similar services, considering factors like the number of assessments, complexity of tests, reporting requirements, and geographic scope. Publicly available contract databases (like FPDS) and industry reports on government IT and professional services spending could offer aggregate data. However, the unique nature of neurocognitive assessments and their specific application within a military context may limit direct comparisons to civilian healthcare or commercial testing services.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential for service quality degradation over the long contract term, the possibility of the contracted services becoming outdated due to advancements in neuroscience or testing methodologies, and the risk of cost overruns if the firm fixed-price structure is not adequately managed or if significant contract modifications occur. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by the Army, clear service level agreements, periodic reviews of the testing protocols, and potentially incorporating clauses for service updates or adjustments. The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method also presents a risk of not achieving the most competitive pricing. The government's mitigation would involve careful contract management and potentially competitive re-solicitation if performance or value diminishes.

How effective has the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method been in ensuring value for money for this specific contract?

The effectiveness of 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' in ensuring value for money is mixed. On one hand, it allowed for competition among multiple bidders (3 in this case), which generally drives better pricing than a sole-source award. However, the 'exclusion of sources' implies that the initial pool of potential competitors was deliberately narrowed. This exclusion could be justified by highly specific technical requirements or security needs, ensuring the selected contractor is uniquely qualified. Conversely, it might have limited the competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher prices than if a broader range of companies had been allowed to bid. Without knowing the rationale for exclusion, it's difficult to definitively assess the value impact, but it suggests a trade-off between ensuring specific capabilities and maximizing price competition.

What is the historical spending trend for NEUROCOGNITIVE ASSESSMENT TESTING (NCAT) SERVICES by the Department of the Army or Department of Defense?

The provided data only details a single contract award to EYAK SERVICES, LLC for NCAT services from 2012 to 2017, totaling $23.84 million. To understand historical spending trends, one would need to analyze contract data over a longer period and across different components of the Department of Defense. This would involve searching for other contracts related to neurocognitive assessments, identifying the agencies that procured them (e.g., Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, specific medical commands), and examining the award amounts, durations, and number of contractors involved. Such an analysis would reveal whether spending on these services has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether this contract represents a typical or outlier level of investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting 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: W81K0411R0010

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: THE Eyak Corp (UEI: 006019640)

Address: 5205 LEESBURG PIKE STE 1404, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22041

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,844,185

Exercised Options: $23,844,185

Current Obligation: $23,844,182

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $814,323

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline