DoD awards $12.4M for network engineering, with a 399-day duration and no small business set-aside

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,402,260 ($12.4M)

Contractor: Bowhead Total Enterprise Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-09-12

End Date: 2026-10-16

Contract Duration: 399 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: NETWORK ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22150

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $12.4 million to BOWHEAD TOTAL ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: NETWORK ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $12.4 million for network engineering support. 2. Performance period spans over a year, from September 2025 to October 2026. 3. Procured via full and open competition, indicating broad market engagement. 4. Services fall under computer facilities management, a critical IT infrastructure area. 5. The contract type is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement. 7. The awardee, Bowhead Total Enterprise Solutions, LLC, will provide network engineering support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $12.4 million for 399 days of network engineering support appears reasonable given the scope of IT infrastructure services. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type suggests that the government will reimburse allowable costs, with the fee being negotiated separately or included in the cost structure, which can offer flexibility but requires careful cost monitoring.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while the competition was open, certain sources were excluded prior to the solicitation. This suggests a potentially competitive process but with specific pre-qualification criteria. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open nature implies multiple interested parties could have responded, which generally aids in price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with exclusions, generally promotes a more competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competitions.

Public Impact

The Department of the Army benefits from enhanced network engineering capabilities. Services delivered include critical support for computer facilities management. The geographic impact is likely within the operational areas of the Department of Defense, specifically where the Army requires network support. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled IT professionals to be engaged in supporting military network infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if 'COST NO FEE' structure is not tightly managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical network infrastructure support.
Exclusion of certain sources prior to competition may limit the full breadth of market options.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting a degree of market validation.
Contract duration provides stability for essential network engineering services.
The contractor, Bowhead Total Enterprise Solutions, LLC, is established in providing enterprise solutions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on network engineering and computer facilities management. The IT services market is vast and highly competitive, with significant government spending allocated to maintaining and upgrading digital infrastructure. This contract represents a portion of the Department of Defense's broader IT spending, which aims to ensure robust and secure communication networks essential for military operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar network support services across various federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. This means the procurement was open to all eligible large and small businesses. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that either the scope of work was deemed too large or complex for a small business set-aside, or that the agency did not prioritize it for this specific requirement. This could limit subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless the prime contractor voluntarily includes them in their supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Army contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Network Infrastructure Services
IT Support Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Defense Information Technology Contracting
Enterprise IT Management

Risk Flags

Potential for cost creep due to 'COST NO FEE' contract type.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical network infrastructure.
Limited competition pool due to exclusion of sources.
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities if network is not adequately protected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $12.4 million to BOWHEAD TOTAL ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS, LLC. NETWORK ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES

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 $12.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-12. End: 2026-10-16.

What is the track record of Bowhead Total Enterprise Solutions, LLC in delivering similar network engineering support services to the Department of Defense?

Bowhead Total Enterprise Solutions, LLC has a history of performing various IT and engineering services for the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. Their contract portfolio often includes areas like IT support, cybersecurity, and enterprise solutions. To assess their specific track record for network engineering, a detailed review of their past performance on similar contracts would be necessary. This would involve examining contract performance reports, any past performance questionnaires, and any documented issues or successes related to network infrastructure management and support. Their ability to successfully execute this $12.4 million contract will depend on their demonstrated experience in managing complex networks, ensuring uptime, and adapting to evolving technological requirements within the DoD environment.

How does the awarded value of $12.4 million compare to similar network engineering support contracts awarded by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies?

The awarded value of $12.4 million for 399 days of network engineering support needs to be benchmarked against comparable contracts to assess its value for money. Factors such as the specific services required (e.g., design, implementation, maintenance, security), the complexity of the network environment, the geographic scope, and the level of technical expertise demanded will influence pricing. Contracts for similar IT infrastructure support services can range significantly. For instance, a contract focused solely on basic network maintenance might be lower, while one involving advanced network architecture design and implementation for a large, secure military installation could be substantially higher. Without detailed service descriptions and performance periods for comparison, it's difficult to definitively state if $12.4 million is high or low, but it represents a significant investment in maintaining critical IT infrastructure.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, considering its 'COST NO FEE' type and the nature of network engineering services?

The 'COST NO FEE' contract type introduces a primary risk of cost escalation if not managed meticulously. The government reimburses allowable costs, meaning the contractor has less direct financial incentive to control expenses beyond their negotiated fee. This necessitates robust government oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. Another risk is contractor performance; network engineering is critical for operational readiness, and any failure to maintain network integrity, security, or availability could have significant operational impacts on the Department of the Army. Furthermore, the exclusion of certain sources prior to competition, while potentially justified, could limit the pool of highly qualified vendors, potentially increasing the risk of selecting a less optimal provider or facing performance issues. Dependence on a single contractor for such a critical function also presents a risk if the contractor faces financial instability or decides to exit the market.

What is the expected program effectiveness and impact of these network engineering services on the Department of the Army's operations?

The expected program effectiveness hinges on the contractor's ability to deliver reliable, secure, and high-performing network infrastructure. For the Department of the Army, effective network engineering is fundamental to command and control, intelligence dissemination, logistics, and daily administrative functions. Successful execution of this contract should lead to improved network stability, reduced downtime, enhanced cybersecurity posture, and potentially faster data transmission speeds. This directly supports operational readiness by ensuring that communication systems function seamlessly, enabling seamless information flow across various echelons. The impact is a more resilient and responsive IT backbone, crucial for mission accomplishment in both garrison and deployed environments.

How does this contract's spending align with historical federal spending patterns for network engineering and IT support services?

This contract's spending of $12.4 million aligns with the substantial and consistent federal investment in network engineering and broader IT support services. Federal agencies, particularly the Department of Defense, allocate significant portions of their budgets to maintaining and modernizing IT infrastructure due to its critical role in national security and operations. Historical data shows a continuous trend of high spending in this category, driven by the need for secure, reliable, and advanced communication networks. While specific figures fluctuate based on agency priorities and technological advancements, contracts in the multi-million dollar range for comprehensive network support are commonplace. This award reflects the ongoing federal commitment to ensuring robust IT capabilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Facilities Management Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - COMPUTE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation

Address: 6564 LOISDALE CT STE 900, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 22150

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: $21,329,446

Exercised Options: $21,329,446

Current Obligation: $12,402,260

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912DY22D0040

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline