Army awards $36.9M for engineering technical services, with a significant portion for Fort Bragg

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,916,573 ($36.9M)

Contractor: Valiant Government Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2004-11-30

End Date: 2011-09-29

Contract Duration: 2,494 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 21

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 200502!500250!2100!W912DY!USA ENGINEER DIV HUNTSVILLE !W912DY04D0028 !A!N! !Y!0002 ! !20041130!20050331!616858908!616858908!616858908!N!BMAR & ASSOCIATES, LLC !3999 FORT CAMPBELL BLVD !HOPKINSVILLE !KY!42240!24260!051!37!FORT BRAGG !CUMBERLAND !N CAROLINA!+000001729424!N!N!000000000000!R425!ENGINEERING TECHNICAL SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !561210!E! !5!B!M! !E! !20200930!B! ! !A! !A!N!J!2!021!B! !C!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !Z!Z!A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! !Y! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: FORT BRAGG, CUMBERLAND County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28307

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $36.9 million to VALIANT GOVERNMENT SERVICES LLC for work described as: 200502!500250!2100!W912DY!USA ENGINEER DIV HUNTSVILLE !W912DY04D0028 !A!N! !Y!0002 ! !20041130!20050331!616858908!616858908!616858908!N!BMAR & ASSOCIATES, LLC !3999 FORT CAMPBELL BLVD !HOPKINSVILLE !KY!42240!24260!051!37!FORT BRAGG !CUMB… Key points: 1. Contract value of $36.9M indicates substantial investment in specialized engineering support. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. A long duration of 2494 days points to a long-term need for these services. 4. The primary service category is engineering and technical services, crucial for infrastructure and operational support. 5. The contract's focus on Fort Bragg highlights its importance for military base operations and development. 6. The award to Valiant Government Services LLC suggests a strong performance record or competitive pricing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $36.9M for engineering technical services over nearly 7 years appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering support contracts for military installations suggests this falls within expected spending ranges. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government, although it places more risk on the contractor for cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This typically leads to a more robust selection process and potentially better pricing due to market forces. The presence of 21 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this significant contract.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition with multiple bidders generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through competitive pressure and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

Military personnel and operations at Fort Bragg benefit from enhanced engineering and technical support. The contract delivers essential engineering services, potentially including design, planning, and oversight for infrastructure projects. The geographic impact is concentrated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, a major U.S. Army installation. The contract supports a workforce skilled in engineering and technical disciplines, likely creating or sustaining jobs in these fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if contractor's fixed-price bid underestimated project complexities.
Risk of service quality issues if contractor lacks sufficient expertise or resources.
Dependency on a single contractor for critical engineering services over an extended period.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the government.
Full and open competition with 21 bidders suggests a competitive environment.
Long contract duration allows for continuity of essential services.
Award to a single entity streamlines management and accountability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the broader professional services market supporting government operations. The market for these services is substantial, driven by ongoing infrastructure needs, modernization efforts, and operational support for federal agencies, particularly the Department of Defense. Comparable spending benchmarks for large-scale engineering support at major military installations often run into tens of millions of dollars over multi-year periods.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded under full and open competition and the data does not explicitly indicate a small business set-aside, the presence of 21 bidders suggests that small businesses may have participated in the bidding process. However, the prime contractor, Valiant Government Services LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in this data snippet. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight mechanisms. As a Department of the Army contract, it falls under the purview of the Army's contracting command and potentially the Department of Defense Inspector General for audits and investigations. The firm fixed-price nature and the competitive award process contribute to accountability by setting clear cost expectations and ensuring a vetted selection.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction
Base Operations Support
Engineering and Technical Services
Department of Defense Procurement

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of cost escalation or obsolescence.
Firm fixed-price contract shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $36.9 million to VALIANT GOVERNMENT SERVICES LLC. 200502!500250!2100!W912DY!USA ENGINEER DIV HUNTSVILLE !W912DY04D0028 !A!N! !Y!0002 ! !20041130!20050331!616858908!616858908!616858908!N!BMAR & ASSOCIATES, LLC !3999 FORT CAMPBELL BLVD !HOPKINSVILLE !KY!42240!24260!051!37!FORT BRAGG !CUMBERLAND !N CAROLINA!+000001729424!N!N!000000000000!R425!ENGINEERING TECHNICAL SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !561210!E! !5!B!M! !E! !202

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VALIANT GOVERNMENT SERVICES 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 $36.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-11-30. End: 2011-09-29.

What is the historical spending pattern for engineering technical services at Fort Bragg?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for engineering technical services at Fort Bragg requires access to detailed historical contract data specific to that installation. While this specific contract awarded to Valiant Government Services LLC represents a significant outlay of $36.9 million over its duration, understanding the broader trend would involve examining previous contracts for similar services. Factors such as base expansion, infrastructure upgrades, and changes in military operational requirements would influence these patterns. Without a comprehensive historical dataset for Fort Bragg's engineering services, it's difficult to definitively characterize the spending pattern as increasing, decreasing, or stable. However, the substantial value of this single award suggests a consistent and significant need for such services at the installation.

How does the per-unit cost of these engineering services compare to industry benchmarks?

Determining a precise per-unit cost for these engineering services is challenging without a detailed breakdown of the services provided and their associated quantities. The contract is a firm fixed-price award for 'Engineering Technical Services,' which can encompass a wide array of activities, from design and planning to consultation and oversight. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify specific deliverables (e.g., hours of engineering labor, design reports, site assessments) and compare their contracted rates to prevailing market rates for similar professional services in the relevant geographic area (North Carolina). Given the 'full and open competition' with 21 bidders, it is plausible that the pricing is competitive. However, a definitive comparison requires more granular data on the service components and their pricing structure.

What is Valiant Government Services LLC's track record with similar federal contracts?

Valiant Government Services LLC's track record with similar federal contracts would be a key factor in assessing the risk and value of this award. A review of their past performance, particularly on Department of Defense contracts for engineering and technical services, would reveal their experience, reliability, and ability to deliver within budget and schedule. Information on past contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract terminations would provide crucial insights. Without direct access to this performance data, it's assumed the contracting officers deemed Valiant Government Services LLC qualified and capable based on their assessment during the procurement process.

What are the potential risks associated with the long duration of this contract?

The long duration of this contract (2494 days, approximately 6.8 years) presents several potential risks. Firstly, the cost of labor and materials can fluctuate significantly over such an extended period, potentially impacting the contractor's profitability if not adequately accounted for in the fixed-price bid, or leading to requests for equitable adjustments. Secondly, technological advancements or changes in military requirements could render some of the initially scoped services obsolete or less relevant, necessitating contract modifications. Thirdly, maintaining consistent service quality and contractor performance over many years can be challenging, requiring diligent oversight. Finally, a long-term commitment ties up significant government resources, potentially limiting flexibility to pursue alternative solutions or contractors if circumstances change.

How does this contract's value compare to overall Army spending on engineering services?

Comparing this $36.9 million contract to the overall Army spending on engineering services provides context for its significance. The U.S. Army procures a vast array of services annually, with engineering and technical support being a substantial category. While precise figures for total annual Army spending on engineering services are not readily available in this data snippet, it is known to be in the billions of dollars. Therefore, this single contract, while significant in its own right, likely represents a fraction of the Army's total expenditure in this domain. Its value is substantial relative to individual project needs but should be viewed within the larger context of the Army's extensive procurement activities.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 21

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ABM Industries Inc (UEI: 006911622)

Address: 101 WALTON WAY, HOPKINSVILLE, KY, 42240

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912DY04D0028

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline