DoD Awards $24.1M Engineering Services Task Order to Smiths Detection Inc. Under Firm Fixed Price Contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,107,437 ($24.1M)
Contractor: Smiths Detection Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2017-09-25
End Date: 2019-01-31
Contract Duration: 493 days
Daily Burn Rate: $48.9K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF CBPS TASK ORDER 02
Place of Performance
Location: EDGEWOOD, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21040
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $24.1 million to SMITHS DETECTION INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF CBPS TASK ORDER 02 Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $24.1 million for engineering services. 2. Sole-source award to Smiths Detection Inc. raises questions about competition. 3. Risk associated with a single vendor for critical engineering services. 4. Spending falls within the Engineering Services sector, with a benchmark of $4.9M.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The award amount of $24.1 million for engineering services is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to market rates for similar services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no competitive pressure to lower bids.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these engineering services.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding. Reliance on a single vendor could impact service continuity if issues arise. The specific engineering services provided are not detailed, limiting public understanding of the expenditure.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment
Positive Signals
- Specific vendor awarded contract
- Firm fixed price contract type
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330). The average award for this sector is approximately $4.9 million, making this $24.1 million award significantly larger than the typical contract.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. The award was made directly to a single, presumably larger, entity.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the government obtained fair value and that the justification for not competing the contract was sound.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- High contract value
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency on services
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $24.1 million to SMITHS DETECTION INC.. IGF::OT::IGF CBPS TASK ORDER 02
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SMITHS DETECTION 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 $24.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-09-25. End: 2019-01-31.
What specific engineering services were procured under this task order, and how were they critical to justify a sole-source award?
The data does not specify the exact engineering services. However, sole-source awards are typically justified when only one vendor possesses the unique capability, technology, or security clearance required for a critical need, or in cases of urgent and compelling circumstances where competition is impractical.
What is the risk associated with awarding a $24.1 million contract without competition?
The primary risk is the potential for inflated costs due to the absence of competitive pressure. It also raises concerns about whether the government received the best possible value and could limit innovation or alternative solutions that might have emerged from a competitive process.
How effective is a sole-source award in ensuring the government receives high-quality engineering services?
Effectiveness is difficult to gauge without a competitive baseline. While the awarded vendor may be capable, the lack of comparison means there's no external validation of their pricing or service quality relative to potential alternatives. Oversight is crucial to ensure performance standards are met.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: PREFAB STRUCTURES/SCAFFOLDING
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: W52P1J16R3018
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Smiths Group PLC (UEI: 210273256)
Address: 2202 LAKESIDE BLVD, EDGEWOOD, MD, 21040
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $24,107,437
Exercised Options: $24,107,437
Current Obligation: $24,107,437
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W52P1J16D3002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-09-25
Current End Date: 2019-01-31
Potential End Date: 2019-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-17
More Contracts from Smiths Detection Inc.
- Jcad Lrip — $324.2M (Department of Defense)
- Production Year 6 — $211.1M (Department of Defense)
- GE Homeland Protection, Inc. Hsts04-05-D-Dep008 Modification: Hsts0408jct3026 Preventative and Correctvie Maintenance for GE CTX Deployed Units. Specifically, CTX 2500, CTX 5500, CTX 9000, and CTX 9400 — $182.1M (Department of Homeland Security)
- Delivery Order 70t04019f5cap1065 (DO3) IS Issued for the Purchase of Medium Speed Explosive Detection Systems (mseds), Ancillary Equipment and Installation to Support Airport Projects Nationwide — $103.8M (Department of Homeland Security)
- Purchase and Installation of Medium Speed Explosive Detection Systems — $98.7M (Department of Homeland Security)
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)