DoD awards $31M engineering services contract to Valiant Global Defense Services Inc. for MARFOREURAF support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,023,800 ($31.0M)

Contractor: Valiant Global Defense Services Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-09-21

End Date: 2025-09-20

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT FOR MARFOREURAF

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $31.0 million to VALIANT GLOBAL DEFENSE SERVICES INC. for work described as: TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT FOR MARFOREURAF Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1825 days (5 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by establishing a set price. 4. The award was a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, implying potential for further task orders. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services. 6. The contract value of approximately $31 million over five years suggests a significant investment in technical and analytical support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $31,023,800.18 over five years for engineering services appears reasonable given the scope of supporting MARFOREURAF. Benchmarking against similar long-term technical support contracts within the Department of Defense suggests that the pricing is competitive. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, mitigating the risk of cost overruns.

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 bids. The fact that it was a delivery order suggests it was part of a broader indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or similar vehicle. The number of bids received (4) provides a moderate level of competition, which generally helps in achieving fair market prices.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to bid, driving down prices and ensuring the government receives the best value. The presence of four bidders suggests a healthy market for these specialized engineering services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa (MARFOREURAF), receiving essential technical and analytical support. Services delivered likely include engineering expertise, strategic analysis, and technical guidance to support the operational readiness and effectiveness of MARFOREURAF. The geographic impact is focused on supporting U.S. military operations within the Europe and Africa regions. The contract supports a specialized segment of the defense industry workforce, requiring skilled engineers and analysts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'technical and analytical support' is not clearly delineated.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support over a five-year period could pose a risk if performance degrades.
The delivery order mechanism, while efficient, requires careful management to ensure task orders align with strategic needs and budget.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process that should yield fair pricing.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage and control costs for the duration of the contract.
Long-term duration (5 years) provides stability and continuity of essential support services for MARFOREURAF.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting defense operations. The market for defense engineering and technical support is substantial, driven by the complex needs of military branches. Companies like Valiant Global Defense Services Inc. operate in a niche that requires specialized expertise and a deep understanding of military requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar long-term support contracts within the DoD often range in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While this contract itself may not directly benefit small businesses through set-asides, the prime contractor, Valiant Global Defense Services Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors. The extent of subcontracting to small businesses would depend on the prime contractor's strategy and the specific requirements of the delivery orders issued under this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Army contracting and program management offices, as they awarded it on behalf of the DoD. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like SAM.gov. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

DoD Engineering Services Contracts
MARFOREURAF Support Contracts
Defense Technical Support
Engineering Services for Military Operations
Long-Term Defense Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Contract Type (FFP)
Competition Level (Full and Open)
Delivery Order Mechanism

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $31.0 million to VALIANT GLOBAL DEFENSE SERVICES INC.. TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT FOR MARFOREURAF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VALIANT GLOBAL DEFENSE SERVICES 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 $31.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-21. End: 2025-09-20.

What is Valiant Global Defense Services Inc.'s track record with the Department of Defense?

Valiant Global Defense Services Inc. has a history of securing contracts with the Department of Defense, often in areas related to defense support, logistics, and technical services. Reviewing their contract history on platforms like SAM.gov or specialized contract databases would reveal the types and values of previous awards. Their performance on past contracts, including any awards or penalties, would provide insight into their reliability and capability. This specific contract's success will depend on their ability to deliver the required engineering and analytical support effectively and efficiently over the five-year period.

How does the $31 million contract value compare to similar engineering support contracts for regional military commands?

The $31 million contract value over five years, averaging $6.2 million annually, appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized engineering and analytical support for a geographic combatant command like MARFOREURAF. Similar contracts supporting other regional commands or major military branches for technical advisory, engineering studies, or operational analysis often fall within similar annual spending brackets. Factors influencing variation include the complexity of the operational environment, the specific technical requirements, and the duration of the support. Without direct access to a comprehensive benchmark database for all DoD engineering contracts, a precise comparison is difficult, but the value seems proportionate to the likely scope.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the government?

The primary risks for the government include potential underperformance by the contractor, leading to delays or subpar support for MARFOREURAF. There's also a risk of cost growth if the firm-fixed-price contract doesn't adequately account for unforeseen technical challenges or scope adjustments, although the FFP structure aims to mitigate this. Contractor dependency over a five-year period could also be a risk if the contractor fails to innovate or adapt to evolving military needs. Ensuring clear performance metrics and robust oversight will be crucial to mitigating these risks.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money in this context?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in ensuring value for money for services where the scope of work is well-defined and unlikely to change significantly. It shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, incentivizing them to manage their costs efficiently. For engineering and analytical support, where requirements can sometimes evolve, the FFP structure requires careful initial scope definition and potentially robust change order management processes. If the scope is stable, FFP provides strong cost certainty for the government, making it a good choice for achieving value.

What is the historical spending trend for engineering services supporting MARFOREURAF or similar commands?

Historical spending trends for engineering services supporting MARFOREURAF or similar commands typically show consistent investment, reflecting the ongoing need for technical and analytical expertise in military operations. While specific figures for MARFOREURAF's engineering support contracts prior to this award are not detailed here, the Department of Defense as a whole allocates significant budgets to engineering services across all its branches and commands. Spending can fluctuate based on geopolitical conditions, modernization efforts, and specific operational requirements. This $31 million award suggests a sustained level of investment in this area.

What are the implications of this contract being a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle?

This contract being a delivery order (aw: DELIVERY ORDER) implies it was issued against a pre-existing contract, likely an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework agreement. This approach allows the government to procure services more efficiently, as the basic terms and conditions, and often pricing structures, have already been negotiated. It provides flexibility to order specific services as needed. For taxpayers, it can mean faster procurement cycles and potentially better pricing due to pre-negotiated rates, but it also necessitates careful management to ensure that the total value of all delivery orders does not exceed the ceiling of the parent contract.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3940 RUFFIN RD STE C, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92123

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,034,772

Exercised Options: $31,023,800

Current Obligation: $31,023,800

Actual Outlays: $7,209,160

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU139

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline