DoD Awards $39.9M FLEXTRAIN System to Ravenswood Solutions, Inc. Under Sole-Source Contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $39,906,590 ($39.9M)
Contractor: Ravenswood Solutions, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2019-02-01
End Date: 2020-03-18
Contract Duration: 411 days
Daily Burn Rate: $97.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: FLEXTRAIN MULTI-MISSION INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEM
Place of Performance
Location: FREMONT, ALAMEDA County, CALIFORNIA, 94539
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $39.9 million to RAVENSWOOD SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: FLEXTRAIN MULTI-MISSION INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEM Key points: 1. Significant investment in specialized military instrumentation. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Contract duration of 411 days suggests a focused, short-term project. 4. No small business participation noted, potentially missing opportunities for smaller vendors.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $39.9M for a 411-day duration is difficult to benchmark without specific details on the FLEXTRAIN system's capabilities. The lack of competition makes a direct pricing comparison challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competitive bidding. This method limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competed procurement.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not have received the best possible price due to the absence of competitive pressure.
Public Impact
Enhances military training capabilities with advanced instrumentation. Potential for increased operational readiness through realistic simulation. Focus on specific communication equipment manufacturing.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of small business participation
- Limited transparency on pricing justification
Positive Signals
- Procurement of specialized military equipment
- Potential for improved training effectiveness
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing sector. Spending in this area is often driven by defense needs for advanced communication and simulation systems.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates no small business participation (sb: false). This suggests that opportunities for small businesses to contribute to this specific defense contract were either not pursued or not available.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the government received fair value. Further review of the justification for sole-source procurement is recommended.
Related Government Programs
- Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
- Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition.
- No small business involvement noted.
- Limited transparency on technical requirements and justification.
Tags
radio-and-television-broadcasting-and-wi, department-of-defense, ca, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $39.9 million to RAVENSWOOD SOLUTIONS, INC.. FLEXTRAIN MULTI-MISSION INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RAVENSWOOD SOLUTIONS, 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 $39.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-02-01. End: 2020-03-18.
What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative solutions explored?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one source can fulfill the requirement. Without specific documentation, it's unclear if alternatives were thoroughly explored or if the unique nature of the FLEXTRAIN system necessitated this approach, potentially impacting cost-effectiveness.
How does the $39.9M contract value compare to similar instrumentation systems procured competitively?
Benchmarking this $39.9M contract is challenging due to its sole-source nature and specific application. Competitively procured, similar complex instrumentation systems can vary widely in price based on features and scale. The absence of competition here prevents a direct cost comparison, making it difficult to assess if the price paid was optimal.
What is the expected impact of the FLEXTRAIN system on military training effectiveness and operational readiness?
The FLEXTRAIN system is intended to enhance military training by providing advanced, multi-mission instrumentation. This likely translates to more realistic simulations and improved skill development for personnel, ultimately contributing to increased operational readiness. The specific impact will depend on the system's fidelity and integration into training protocols.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: W900KK19R0017
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: SRI International (UEI: 009232752)
Address: 3065 SKYWAY COURT, FREMONT, CA, 94539
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $39,906,590
Exercised Options: $39,906,590
Current Obligation: $39,906,590
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 17
Total Subaward Amount: $29,408,851
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-02-01
Current End Date: 2020-03-18
Potential End Date: 2020-03-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-01-06
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