Army awards $27.3M for Experimental Facilities Tech Support to Bowhead Total Enterprise Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,280,188 ($27.3M)

Contractor: Bowhead Total Enterprise Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2017-04-28

End Date: 2020-05-22

Contract Duration: 1,120 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF EXPERIMENTAL FACILITIES TECH SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21005

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $27.3 million to BOWHEAD TOTAL ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF EXPERIMENTAL FACILITIES TECH SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, indicating potential for cost overruns. 3. The contract duration is 1120 days, spanning over three years. 4. The award amount is $27.3 million. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541330 (Engineering Services).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to higher costs than fixed-price contracts if not managed carefully. The award amount of $27.3M for engineering services over three years needs to be benchmarked against similar contracts to assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a limited competition where specific sources were excluded. This method may impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The total taxpayer impact is the full award amount of $27.3 million, plus any potential cost overruns inherent in a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract.

Public Impact

This contract supports critical experimental facilities, likely contributing to defense research and development. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term need for these specialized engineering services. The specific nature of 'experimental facilities' implies advanced technological applications and potential for innovation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
Limited competition method ('after exclusion of sources')

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive process
Supports critical infrastructure

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330), a sector crucial for government research, development, and infrastructure projects. Spending in this sector is often tied to national security and technological advancement.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, a component of the Department of Defense. Oversight would typically involve program managers and contracting officers within the Army to ensure performance and cost control.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF contract type.
Limited competition may have inflated the price.
Lack of transparency on specific experimental facilities supported.
No clear indication of small business subcontracting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $27.3 million to BOWHEAD TOTAL ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF EXPERIMENTAL FACILITIES TECH SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOWHEAD TOTAL ENTERPRISE 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 $27.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-04-28. End: 2020-05-22.

What specific experimental facilities are being supported by this contract, and what is the criticality of these facilities to the Army's mission?

The specific experimental facilities are not detailed in the provided data. However, given the 'Engineering Services' NAICS code and the Department of the Army as the awarding agency, these facilities likely support advanced research, development, testing, and evaluation crucial for military capabilities. Their criticality would be tied to the strategic importance of the research conducted within them, potentially impacting future defense technologies and operational readiness.

What were the reasons for excluding other sources in the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award, and how did this impact the final price?

The exclusion of sources typically occurs when only a limited number of contractors possess the specialized capabilities, technology, or security clearances required for a specific project. The exact reasons for exclusion are not provided. This limitation on competition can reduce price pressure, potentially leading to a higher final price than if a broader range of contractors could have bid.

How effectively was the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure managed to ensure value for money, given its inherent risk of cost overruns?

Assessing the effectiveness of the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure's management requires detailed performance reports, cost audits, and comparison of actual costs against initial estimates and the fixed fee. Without this granular data, it's difficult to determine if the Army effectively controlled costs and ensured value. CPFF contracts necessitate robust oversight to mitigate the risk of contractor inefficiencies driving up expenses beyond the agreed-upon fee.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W911QX17R0005

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4900 SEMINARY RD STE 1200, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22311

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: $33,777,196

Exercised Options: $33,777,196

Current Obligation: $27,280,188

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline