DoD's $28.7M Anti-Armor Analysis Support Contract Awarded to Data Solutions & Technology (DST), Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,719,123 ($28.7M)

Contractor: Data Solutions & Technology (DST), Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2011-09-28

End Date: 2014-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,068 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: ANTI ARMOR ANALYSIS SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: CHARLOTTESVILLE, ALBEMARLE County, VIRGINIA, 22911

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.7 million to DATA SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGY (DST), INC. for work described as: ANTI ARMOR ANALYSIS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these specialized services. 2. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. 3. The duration of the contract (1068 days) indicates a long-term need for these analytical capabilities. 4. The small business subcontracting goal was not met, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms. 5. The contract's focus on analysis suggests a critical role in informing defense strategy and procurement. 6. The significant value of the contract points to the importance of anti-armor capabilities for the Department of Defense.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific 'Anti Armor Analysis Support' contract is challenging without direct comparable contracts. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while allowing flexibility, carries inherent risks of cost escalation. The reported value of approximately $28.7 million over roughly three years suggests a substantial investment in specialized analytical services. Further analysis would require comparing the specific deliverables and labor rates to similar analytical support contracts within the DoD or other defense agencies to ascertain true value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method of procurement generally fosters competitive pricing and encourages a wider range of solutions. The open competition suggests that the government sought the best possible technical solution and price from the market.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it typically drives down costs and ensures that the government receives the most advantageous offer available in the marketplace.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army and the broader Department of Defense, receiving critical analytical support for anti-armor strategies. The services delivered likely involve in-depth research, modeling, simulation, and reporting to inform decisions on weapon systems, tactics, and threat assessments. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting defense planning and research centers, though the findings could influence global military operations. The contract supports a specialized workforce of analysts and subject matter experts, contributing to the knowledge base within the defense sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type introduces risk of cost overruns if not managed diligently.
Small business participation was not a stated requirement or was not met, potentially limiting broader economic impact.
The specific nature of 'anti-armor analysis' may not be widely available, potentially limiting future competition if knowledge is concentrated.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a healthy market and competitive process.
The contract duration suggests a sustained and recognized need for these critical analytical services.
The focus on a specialized area like anti-armor analysis highlights the DoD's commitment to maintaining technological superiority.

Sector Analysis

The defense sector, particularly within the Army, relies heavily on specialized analytical support to maintain a technological edge and inform strategic decisions. This contract falls within the broader category of professional, scientific, and technical services, a significant segment of federal contracting. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other contracts for defense analysis, intelligence support, and research and development services, which often represent substantial investments due to the complexity and criticality of the work.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a significant factor in this contract, as the 'small business set-aside' flag is false and the 'small business' flag is also false. This suggests the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals being met. Consequently, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless the prime contractor voluntarily engaged small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight and performance monitoring are crucial to ensure costs remain within acceptable parameters and that the contractor meets all performance objectives. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting mechanisms, though specific details of the analysis performed may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development
Army Combat Systems Development
Threat and Vulnerability Analysis
Military Technology Assessment
Defense Intelligence Support

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent risk of cost escalation.
Lack of specified small business subcontracting goals or achievement may limit broader economic participation.
NAICS code 561611 (Investigation and Personal Background Check Services) appears potentially misaligned with the contract description 'Anti Armor Analysis Support', suggesting possible data entry error or a very broad interpretation of the code.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.7 million to DATA SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGY (DST), INC.. ANTI ARMOR ANALYSIS SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DATA SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGY (DST), 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 $28.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-09-28. End: 2014-08-31.

What specific analytical methodologies were employed under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific analytical methodologies used for the 'Anti Armor Analysis Support' contract. Typically, such contracts could involve a range of techniques including, but not limited to, advanced modeling and simulation (e.g., finite element analysis for structural integrity, trajectory simulations for projectile impact), statistical analysis of combat data, comparative analysis of existing and developmental technologies, wargaming, and expert elicitation. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure suggests flexibility in adapting methodologies to evolving requirements, but detailed reporting on these methods would likely be found in contractor deliverables or program office documentation not included in this summary data.

How does the $28.7 million cost compare to similar anti-armor analysis contracts?

Direct comparison of the $28.7 million cost for this 'Anti Armor Analysis Support' contract to similar contracts is difficult without access to a broader database of defense analysis procurements. However, the value suggests a significant, multi-year effort. Contracts for advanced defense analysis, particularly those involving complex modeling, simulation, and subject matter expertise, can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on scope and duration. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee nature means the final cost could vary, but the initial award value provides a benchmark. Further context would require identifying contracts with identical or highly similar North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes (561611 - Investigation and Personal Background Check Services, though this seems misapplied here, likely a more specialized defense analysis code was intended or used internally) and similar service descriptions.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this 'Anti Armor Analysis Support' contract. For analytical support contracts, KPIs often revolve around the timeliness and accuracy of deliverables (reports, models, simulations), the quality and relevance of insights provided, adherence to budget (especially critical for CPFF contracts), and the successful integration of findings into decision-making processes. The Department of the Army would have established specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) KPIs in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) to evaluate contractor performance.

What is the track record of Data Solutions & Technology (DST), Inc. with similar defense analysis contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Data Solutions & Technology (DST), Inc. with similar defense analysis contracts is not detailed in the provided data. However, the award of a $28.7 million contract by the Department of the Army suggests a level of capability and past performance deemed satisfactory by the contracting agency. To fully assess their track record, one would need to review their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any awards or debarments from federal agencies. The fact that they were awarded this contract through full and open competition implies they met the initial qualifications and demonstrated the necessary expertise.

What are the potential risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this service?

The primary risk associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for 'Anti Armor Analysis Support' is the potential for cost overruns. While the 'fixed fee' component provides the contractor with a guaranteed profit margin, the 'cost-plus' element means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs incurred. If the contractor's costs exceed initial estimates, the total contract value increases, potentially exceeding the government's budget. This necessitates robust government oversight to scrutinize costs, ensure efficiency, and prevent contractor inefficiencies from driving up expenses. There's also a risk that the contractor might prioritize cost recovery over optimal performance if not properly incentivized and monitored.

How has spending on anti-armor analysis evolved within the Department of the Army over the past decade?

The provided data focuses on a single contract and does not offer historical spending trends for anti-armor analysis within the Department of the Army. However, general trends in defense spending suggest a continuous and often increasing focus on areas like anti-armor capabilities due to evolving global threats and technological advancements in armored warfare. Spending in this area is influenced by geopolitical events, the development of new adversary armor technologies, and the need to maintain a qualitative advantage. A comprehensive analysis would require examining multi-year budget allocations and contract awards specifically related to anti-armor research, development, testing, and analysis.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Investigation and Personal Background Check Services

Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › INSPECTION SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W911W511R0001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9901 BUSINESS PKWY STE R, LANHAM, MD, 20706

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $42,017,334

Exercised Options: $30,037,862

Current Obligation: $28,719,123

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline