DoD's $32.5M Engineering Services Contract Awarded to AXIENT LLC Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $32,489,236 ($32.5M)
Contractor: Axient LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2011-03-30
End Date: 2016-10-28
Contract Duration: 2,039 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: BASE AWARD
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35898
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $32.5 million to AXIENT LLC for work described as: BASE AWARD Key points: 1. The contract value is $32.5 million, awarded by the Department of Defense to AXIENT LLC. 2. It falls under the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330). 3. The award was made through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose risks if not managed closely.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a BPA Call, indicating it's a call against an existing Basic Ordering Agreement. Without specific benchmarks for similar BPA calls for engineering services, a precise value assessment is difficult. However, the duration and value suggest a moderate scale.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. The use of Time and Materials pricing, however, can lead to cost overruns if not strictly monitored, potentially impacting the price discovery achieved through competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for engineering services. The competitive nature of the award is a positive sign for cost efficiency, but the Time and Materials structure requires diligent oversight to ensure value for money.
Public Impact
Provides essential engineering services to the Department of the Army. Supports national defense objectives through specialized technical expertise. The contract's duration of over 5 years indicates a long-term need for these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost escalation.
- Contract duration is significant, requiring sustained oversight.
- No specific small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports critical Department of Defense needs.
- AXIENT LLC is the awardee.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, which is crucial for government infrastructure and defense projects. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on project complexity and duration. The $32.5 million value over approximately 5 years is a substantial, but not exceptionally large, award for specialized engineering support.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false). There is no specific information provided regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses on this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded as a BPA Call, suggesting it's part of a larger framework agreement. Oversight would involve monitoring the performance under this specific call against the terms of the BPA and ensuring adherence to the Time and Materials pricing structure.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials pricing structure.
- Lack of specific small business subcontracting information.
- Contract duration of over 5 years.
- Potential for cost overruns if not closely managed.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, al, bpa-call, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $32.5 million to AXIENT LLC. BASE AWARD
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AXIENT 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 $32.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-03-30. End: 2016-10-28.
What is the typical cost range for similar engineering services contracts awarded through full and open competition by the DoD?
Determining a precise cost range for similar engineering services contracts requires access to a broader dataset of government contract awards, including factors like specific engineering disciplines, contract duration, and geographic location. However, contracts of this scale ($32.5M over 5 years) typically involve complex projects requiring specialized expertise, and competitive bidding aims to secure cost-effective solutions within industry norms.
What are the primary risks associated with Time and Materials contracts for engineering services, and how can they be mitigated?
The primary risk with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts is cost escalation, as the government pays for actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor. Mitigation strategies include establishing clear labor rate ceilings, defining material cost limitations, implementing rigorous progress tracking, requiring detailed timesheets, and conducting regular audits to ensure efficiency and prevent overcharging.
How effectively does full and open competition ensure value for money in specialized engineering services contracts?
Full and open competition generally enhances value for money by fostering a competitive environment where multiple qualified contractors vie for the award, driving down prices and encouraging innovation. For specialized engineering services, it ensures that the government receives proposals from a wide range of capable firms, increasing the likelihood of selecting a contractor that offers both technical proficiency and a competitive price.
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: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 360A QUALITY CIR STE 100, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $32,996,863
Exercised Options: $32,489,236
Current Obligation: $32,489,236
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W31P4Q10A0015
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-03-30
Current End Date: 2016-10-28
Potential End Date: 2016-10-28 12:10:00
Last Modified: 2024-06-26
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