Army awards $11.87M for engineering services, with a significant portion for advanced engineering and research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,869,568 ($11.9M)

Contractor: Advanced Engineering & Researc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-06-01

End Date: 2008-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,278 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (TWO OR MORE)

Sector: Other

Official Description: 200512!500961!2100!W91QUZ!ACA, ITEC4 !GS23F0123J !C!N! !N!W91QUZ05F0119! !20050601!20060531!031335842!031335842!001876440!N!EDO ACQUISITION II, INC !2800 SHIRLINGTON ROAD !ARLINGTON !VA!22206!03000!013!51!ARLINGTON !ARLINGTON !VIRGINIA !+000001600000!N!N!000000000000!V999!OTHER TRANSPORTATION TRAVEL & RELOCATION SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !M49 !DTS !541990!E! !6! ! ! ! ! !20200930!B! ! ! ! !A! ! ! !000! ! ! ! ! ! ! !Y!B!N!N! ! ! ! ! ! !000! ! ! ! ! ! ! !2100!W91QUZ!0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ALEXANDRIA (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 22206

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $11.9 million to ADVANCED ENGINEERING & RESEARC for work described as: 200512!500961!2100!W91QUZ!ACA, ITEC4 !GS23F0123J !C!N! !N!W91QUZ05F0119! !20050601!20060531!031335842!031335842!001876440!N!EDO ACQUISITION II, INC !2800 SHIRLINGTON ROAD !ARLINGTON !VA!22206!03000!013!51!ARLINGTON !ARLI… Key points: 1. Contract value of $11.87M for engineering services indicates a substantial investment in specialized technical expertise. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services. 3. A high number of bids (9288) points to significant market interest and potentially competitive pricing. 4. The contract duration of 1278 days (over 3 years) suggests a long-term need for these engineering services. 5. The primary service category is 'Engineering Services', aligning with the contractor's specialization. 6. The contract's geographic focus is Virginia, a hub for defense and government contracting.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $11.87M for engineering services appears reasonable given the duration and the competitive landscape. While a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult without more granular data on the specific services rendered, the high number of bids (9288) suggests that the pricing was likely competitive. The contractor, ADVANCED ENGINEERING & RESEARC, has a track record that would need further review to fully assess value for money, but the competitive nature of the award is a positive indicator.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The exceptionally high number of bids received (9288) indicates a very active and competitive market for these engineering services. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures that the government has a wide array of options to choose from, potentially leading to better value.

Taxpayer Impact: The extensive competition for this contract suggests that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as multiple firms vied for the opportunity, driving down costs and improving service quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of the Army, which receives essential engineering services. The services delivered likely support various military engineering projects and infrastructure needs. The geographic impact is concentrated in Virginia, where the contractor is located and services are likely performed. The contract supports specialized engineering jobs within the contractor's workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly due to the long duration.
Reliance on a single contractor for a significant period could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The sheer volume of bids might indicate a highly commoditized service, potentially impacting innovation.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring broad market access.
High number of bidders suggests a healthy and competitive market.
Contract duration implies a stable, long-term requirement being met.
Contractor is based in Virginia, potentially supporting local economy.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector is a critical component of the federal contracting landscape, supporting a wide range of agency needs from infrastructure development to complex research and development. This contract falls within the 'Engineering Services' NAICS code (541330). The federal government is a major consumer of engineering services, with significant spending across defense, transportation, and infrastructure agencies. Benchmarking this contract's value against similar large-scale engineering service contracts would require access to a broader dataset of federal procurements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Given the large contract value and the nature of engineering services, it's possible that larger firms were the primary bidders. However, the high number of bids (9288) could include small businesses participating in a larger competitive pool. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were mandated or utilized by the prime contractor to engage small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. The contract's duration and value suggest regular performance reviews and financial oversight would be in place. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential issues or investigations related to contract performance or compliance.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Engineering Services Contracts
Army Research and Development Contracts
Virginia-based Federal Contracts
Full and Open Competition Contracts
Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep.
Potential ambiguity in service description (PSC V999, Title ACA, ITEC4).
Performance history of ADVANCED ENGINEERING & RESEARC requires further investigation.
Lack of specific small business subcontracting goals noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.9 million to ADVANCED ENGINEERING & RESEARC. 200512!500961!2100!W91QUZ!ACA, ITEC4 !GS23F0123J !C!N! !N!W91QUZ05F0119! !20050601!20060531!031335842!031335842!001876440!N!EDO ACQUISITION II, INC !2800 SHIRLINGTON ROAD !ARLINGTON !VA!22206!03000!013!51!ARLINGTON !ARLINGTON !VIRGINIA !+000001600000!N!N!000000000000!V999!OTHER TRANSPORTATION TRAVEL & RELOCATION SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !M49 !DTS !541990!E! !6! ! ! ! ! !202

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCED ENGINEERING & RESEARC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-06-01. End: 2008-11-30.

What is the specific nature of the engineering services provided under this contract?

The contract is categorized under NAICS code 541330, which denotes 'Engineering Services'. The PSC code (Product Service Code) is 'V999', indicating 'Other Transportation Travel & Relocation Services', which seems to be a broad categorization. However, the contract title is 'ACA, ITEC4'. Without more specific details on the task orders or statements of work issued against this contract, it is difficult to ascertain the precise engineering services rendered. These could range from design and analysis to consulting, project management, or specialized technical support for Army programs.

How does the contractor's past performance compare to similar engineering service contracts?

Assessing ADVANCED ENGINEERING & RESEARC's past performance requires a detailed review of their contract history, including client feedback, any performance disputes, and on-time delivery records. The provided data indicates a single contract award of $11.87M with a duration of 1278 days. To benchmark their performance, one would need to compare this against other contracts of similar size and scope awarded to this contractor and their competitors. A high number of bids (9288) suggests market confidence, but does not directly equate to proven past performance quality without further investigation into awardee selection criteria.

What are the key risk indicators associated with this contract?

Key risk indicators for this contract include its long duration (over 3 years), which increases the potential for scope creep, changes in requirements, or contractor performance degradation over time. The reliance on a single prime contractor for a substantial sum also presents a risk if performance issues arise. Furthermore, the broad 'Other Transportation Travel & Relocation Services' PSC code, coupled with the 'ACA, ITEC4' title, suggests a potential lack of specificity in the contract's initial description, which could lead to ambiguity and disputes if not clearly defined in subsequent task orders.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to market rates for similar engineering services?

Directly comparing the pricing of this $11.87M contract to market rates is challenging without granular data on the specific services rendered and the labor categories involved. However, the fact that the contract was awarded under full and open competition with 9288 bids suggests a competitive market. This high level of competition typically drives prices towards market equilibrium. To perform a true benchmark, one would need to analyze the labor rates, overheads, and profit margins proposed by the contractor against industry standards and rates paid on comparable government contracts.

What is the historical spending pattern for engineering services by the Department of the Army in Virginia?

Historical spending patterns for engineering services by the Department of the Army in Virginia are substantial, given the concentration of Army installations and commands in the state. The Army regularly procures a wide array of engineering services, from facilities design and construction oversight to specialized technical support for weapon systems and research initiatives. This specific $11.87M contract represents one component of that broader spending. Analyzing historical data would reveal trends in contract types (e.g., IDIQ vs. fixed-price), average contract values, and key service areas, providing context for the current award.

What is the potential impact of this contract on small businesses in the engineering sector?

As this contract was not a small business set-aside and was awarded under full and open competition, its direct impact on small businesses is likely through subcontracting opportunities. The large value and duration could present significant subcontracting potential if the prime contractor, ADVANCED ENGINEERING & RESEARC, engages small businesses. However, without specific subcontracting plans or goals mandated in the contract, the extent of this impact remains uncertain. The high number of bidders might also include small businesses, indicating their participation in the competitive process.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › OTHER TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCAT SV

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (TWO OR MORE) (2)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2361 JEFF DAVIS HWY # 336, ARLINGTON, VA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F0123J

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline