DoD's $22M Senior Scientific Support Contract with Goldbelt Frontier Faces Scrutiny Over Competition and Value
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,043,915 ($22.0M)
Contractor: Goldbelt Frontier, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-12-01
End Date: 2026-02-28
Contract Duration: 1,915 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: SENIOR SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22312
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $22.0 million to GOLDBELT FRONTIER, LLC for work described as: SENIOR SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition after exclusion of sources, raising questions about initial source selection. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests clear scope, but $22M value warrants detailed cost analysis. 3. Potential risk exists if 'exclusion of sources' limited competitive options, impacting price discovery. 4. Spending in 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690) is substantial across government.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $22M contract value over its period of performance is significant. Without specific unit cost data or benchmarks for 'Senior Scientific Support Services', a precise value assessment is difficult. Comparison to similar contracts for specialized scientific consulting is needed.
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 method implies that while competition was sought, certain sources were initially excluded, potentially limiting the breadth of competition and impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The total value of $22M represents taxpayer funds. Ensuring the competition method maximized value and minimized costs is crucial for responsible stewardship of these funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers are funding critical scientific support services for the Defense Health Agency. The contract's duration and value suggest a significant, long-term reliance on external expertise. Transparency in the 'exclusion of sources' process is important for public trust. The effectiveness of the scientific support provided will directly impact defense health initiatives.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Ambiguity in 'exclusion of sources' process.
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown for 'scientific support services'.
- No clear indication of small business participation.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract type.
- Awarded under full and open competition (post-exclusion).
- Long contract duration allows for sustained support.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services. Spending in this sector is common across federal agencies for specialized expertise, with significant annual outlays.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting opportunities were pursued or mandated.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is critical to ensure the 'exclusion of sources' process was justified and that the competition, even if limited, yielded fair pricing and effective service delivery for the Defense Health Agency.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Health Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
- Lack of transparency regarding the justification for excluding sources.
- No clear indication of small business participation.
- Need for detailed performance metrics to assess service effectiveness.
Tags
other-scientific-and-technical-consultin, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $22.0 million to GOLDBELT FRONTIER, LLC. SENIOR SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GOLDBELT FRONTIER, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Health Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $22.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-12-01. End: 2026-02-28.
What specific scientific support services are being provided under this contract, and how do they align with the Defense Health Agency's mission priorities?
The contract is for 'Senior Scientific Support Services' under NAICS code 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services). While the specific tasks are not detailed here, such services typically involve providing expert advice, research support, data analysis, and technical guidance to enhance scientific endeavors. For the DHA, this could range from biomedical research consultation to health systems analysis, directly supporting their mission to provide medical care and readiness for the armed forces.
How did the 'exclusion of sources' impact the competitiveness of the bidding process and the final contract price?
The 'exclusion of sources' clause suggests that certain potential bidders were not considered eligible from the outset. While the subsequent award was 'full and open', the initial exclusion could have narrowed the competitive pool, potentially leading to less aggressive pricing than if all qualified sources had been allowed to compete. A thorough review of the justification for excluding sources is necessary to assess its impact on price discovery and overall value.
What metrics are in place to measure the effectiveness and value delivered by Goldbelt Frontier's scientific support services to the Defense Health Agency?
As the contract is Firm Fixed Price, the primary measure of value is the successful delivery of the contracted services within the agreed-upon price. However, effectiveness requires specific performance metrics tied to the scientific support provided. The Defense Health Agency should have established key performance indicators (KPIs) related to the quality, timeliness, and impact of the scientific advice and support rendered by Goldbelt Frontier to ensure mission objectives are met.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical 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: W81XWH19R0098
Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 5500 CHEROKEE AVE STE 100, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22312
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $22,105,676
Exercised Options: $22,105,676
Current Obligation: $22,043,915
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-12-01
Current End Date: 2026-02-28
Potential End Date: 2026-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-12
More Contracts from Goldbelt Frontier, LLC
- Bmet, Admin, and NMP Support Services — $47.2M (Department of Defense)
- Medical Device Integration Support — $25.3M (Department of Defense)
- Administrative Support Services — $9.9M (Department of Defense)
- Closed Circuit Television Support — $7.5M (Department of Defense)
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)