DoD's $31.3M intelligence support contract awarded without competition to undisclosed domestic firms

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,291,840 ($31.3M)

Contractor: Domestic Awardees (undisclosed)

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-06-29

End Date: 2018-03-27

Contract Duration: 636 days

Daily Burn Rate: $49.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT

Sector: Other

Official Description: AFGHANISTAN INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT SERVICES. IGF::CT::IGF

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $31.3 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: AFGHANISTAN INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT SERVICES. IGF::CT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a fixed-price level-of-effort basis, suggesting a focus on task completion rather than specific deliverables. 2. The lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and limited market exploration. 3. The contract duration of 636 days (over 1.5 years) indicates a significant, ongoing need for these services. 4. Intelligence support services are critical for national security, but the absence of competitive bidding hinders transparency. 5. The undisclosed domestic awardees make it difficult to assess contractor track record and past performance. 6. The contract's value, while substantial, needs benchmarking against similar intelligence support services to determine value for money.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Without disclosed awardees or a competitive bidding process, it is challenging to assess the value for money. The fixed-price level-of-effort structure can sometimes lead to inefficiencies if not closely managed. Benchmarking against similar intelligence support contracts is difficult due to the lack of specific service details and awardee information. However, the absence of competition generally suggests a higher risk of paying above market rates.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. The specific justification for this sole-source award is not provided in the data. A lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore the full range of available solutions and potentially secure more favorable pricing through a bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers do not benefit from the price reductions typically achieved through competitive bidding, potentially leading to higher costs for essential services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the undisclosed domestic contractors who received a significant contract without facing competition. The services delivered are intelligence support, crucial for national security operations, though specific functions are not detailed. The geographic impact is likely domestic, given the awardees are described as 'domestic,' but the ultimate use of intelligence could be global. Workforce implications would involve the employment of personnel by the awarded contractors to fulfill the intelligence support requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially inflates costs for taxpayers.
Undisclosed awardees prevent assessment of contractor experience and past performance.
The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code is broad, obscuring the specific nature of the intelligence support.
Fixed-price level-of-effort contracts can incentivize less efficient work if not rigorously monitored.
The absence of a small business set-aside raises questions about opportunities for smaller firms in this intelligence support domain.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses a critical need for intelligence support services, vital for national security.
Awarded to domestic firms, potentially supporting the domestic economy and workforce.
The fixed-price nature, while having potential drawbacks, aims to control costs for a defined scope of effort.
The contract duration suggests a stable, long-term requirement, providing consistent work for the awarded entity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically within 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). This broad category encompasses a wide range of specialized services. The intelligence support market is often characterized by high barriers to entry, specialized expertise, and significant government investment. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific details on the services rendered, but government spending on intelligence and related support services is a substantial component of the overall federal budget.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). The awardees are described only as 'domestic awardees (undisclosed),' making it impossible to determine if any small businesses were involved as prime contractors or subcontractors. The lack of a small business set-aside or specific subcontracting requirements means that opportunities for small businesses in this intelligence support domain may have been limited.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. As a Department of Defense contract, it would likely fall under the purview of the Department of Defense Inspector General for audits and investigations. However, the sole-source nature and undisclosed awardees present challenges for transparency and public accountability. Standard contract management processes within the Department of the Army would be expected to provide oversight, but the effectiveness is difficult to gauge without further information.

Related Government Programs

Intelligence Community Support Services
Department of Defense Contract Services
Professional and Technical Services
National Security Support Contracts
Sole-Source Federal Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award raises concerns about competition and potential overpricing.
Undisclosed awardees limit transparency and accountability.
Broad NAICS code obscures the specific nature and value of services.
Lack of small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $31.3 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). AFGHANISTAN INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT SERVICES. IGF::CT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED).

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $31.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-06-29. End: 2018-03-27.

What specific intelligence support services were provided under this contract?

The provided data classifies this contract under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' This is a very broad category that can encompass a wide array of activities, including research and development, technical consulting, data analysis, and specialized support functions. Without further details from the contracting agency or award documents, the precise nature of the intelligence support services rendered remains undisclosed. This lack of specificity makes it difficult to assess the contract's effectiveness, value, or alignment with specific intelligence requirements.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' signifying a sole-source award. Federal procurement regulations typically require competitive bidding unless specific exceptions apply, such as the existence of only one responsible source, urgent and compelling needs, or national security concerns that preclude competition. The specific justification for this sole-source award is not detailed in the data. Understanding this justification is crucial for assessing whether the government adequately explored competitive options and obtained the best possible value for taxpayer funds.

Can the contractor's track record and past performance be assessed for this contract?

No, the contractor's track record and past performance cannot be assessed based on the provided data. The awardees are listed as 'DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED),' meaning their identities are not revealed. Without knowing who received the contract, it is impossible to research their history, previous government contracts, performance reviews, or any potential issues they may have encountered. This lack of transparency hinders a critical aspect of responsible government contracting: ensuring that awards are made to capable and reliable entities.

How does the $31.3 million contract value compare to similar intelligence support contracts?

Direct comparison of the $31.3 million contract value to similar intelligence support contracts is challenging due to the limited information available. The contract falls under the broad NAICS code 541990, and the specific services are not detailed. Furthermore, the sole-source nature and undisclosed awardees prevent analysis of market rates or competitive pricing. To perform a meaningful benchmark, one would need to identify comparable contracts for intelligence support services, analyze their scope, duration, and pricing structures, and ideally, examine contracts awarded through competitive processes to establish a baseline for value for money.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for intelligence support?

Sole-source awards for intelligence support carry several potential risks. Firstly, the lack of competition can lead to higher prices than might be achieved through a bidding process, resulting in inefficient use of taxpayer funds. Secondly, without competition, there is less incentive for the contractor to innovate or optimize service delivery. Thirdly, the absence of multiple bidders limits the government's ability to explore diverse solutions and potentially find a better-suited or more cost-effective approach. Finally, the lack of transparency inherent in sole-source awards, especially with undisclosed contractors, can raise concerns about accountability and potential conflicts of interest.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' by the Department of the Army?

Historical spending patterns for NAICS 541990 ('All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services') by the Department of the Army are not detailed in the provided data snippet. To analyze this, one would need access to historical federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov) and filter for the Department of the Army, the specific NAICS code, and potentially relevant contract types or keywords related to intelligence support. Such an analysis would reveal trends in spending volume, average contract values, and the prevalence of competitive versus sole-source awards within this service category over time, providing context for the $31.3 million contract.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W911W416R0009

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT (B)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 F ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20405

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,761,468

Exercised Options: $33,761,468

Current Obligation: $31,291,840

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline