DoD Awards $21.2M Contract for Experimental Facilities Technician Support to Bowhead Global Systems
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,190,168 ($21.2M)
Contractor: Bowhead Global Systems and Technology, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-11-17
End Date: 2026-11-22
Contract Duration: 1,101 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: EXPERIMENTAL FACILITIES TECHNICIAN SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21005
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $21.2 million to BOWHEAD GLOBAL SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: EXPERIMENTAL FACILITIES TECHNICIAN SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, established provider. 2. Significant value for specialized technical support services. 3. Potential for cost overruns given Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure. 4. Services are critical for ongoing research and development.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $21.2M over approximately 3 years is substantial for specialized technician support. Without comparable contract data, assessing pricing against similar services is difficult, but the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure warrants close monitoring for potential cost escalation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not available for competition, suggesting a limited or sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competition for these essential experimental facility support services.
Public Impact
Supports critical research and development infrastructure. Ensures continuity of operations for experimental facilities. Potential impact on budget if costs exceed initial estimates.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure
- Limited transparency on pricing benchmarks
Positive Signals
- Essential support for R&D
- Experienced contractor likely ensures service quality
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within Engineering Services, a sector crucial for government R&D and defense initiatives. Spending in this area is often driven by specialized needs and long-term projects, where competition can be challenging.
Small Business Impact
The contractor, Bowhead Global Systems and Technology, LLC, is not identified as a small business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in subcontracting opportunities for this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to manage the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure and ensure that costs remain reasonable and aligned with the scope of work. The Department of the Army's contracting office is responsible for monitoring performance and expenditures.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency on pricing benchmarks
- Contract duration extends over multiple years
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, md, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $21.2 million to BOWHEAD GLOBAL SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY, LLC. EXPERIMENTAL FACILITIES TECHNICIAN SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BOWHEAD GLOBAL SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY, 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 $21.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-11-17. End: 2026-11-22.
What is the specific nature of the experimental facilities and the technician expertise required to justify a non-competitive award?
The specific experimental facilities and the highly specialized technician expertise required are not detailed in the provided data. However, the non-competitive nature suggests unique capabilities or critical infrastructure that necessitates a specific provider, potentially related to classified projects or proprietary technology maintenance.
How will the Department of Defense ensure cost control and prevent overruns with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for these services?
The Department of Defense will likely implement rigorous oversight mechanisms, including detailed cost tracking, regular performance reviews, and audits. Establishing clear milestones and performance metrics will be essential to manage the fixed fee component and ensure the contractor remains incentivized to control costs effectively.
What is the long-term strategy for competition or potential cost reduction for these essential support services?
The long-term strategy is unclear from the provided data. Future actions could involve market research to identify potential competitors for subsequent contract periods, developing internal capabilities, or re-evaluating the necessity of specialized support to potentially reduce costs or increase competition.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: W911QX24R0004
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6564 LOISDALE CT, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 22150
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $33,939,461
Exercised Options: $33,939,461
Current Obligation: $21,190,168
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-11-17
Current End Date: 2026-11-22
Potential End Date: 2026-11-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-16
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