DoD's $19.4M ENCORE II contract for R&D services awarded to Data Systems Analysts Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,392,630 ($19.4M)

Contractor: Data Systems Analysts Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-10-27

End Date: 2014-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,981 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ENCOREII SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: SCOTT AFB, ST. CLAIR County, ILLINOIS, 62225, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.4 million to DATA SYSTEMS ANALYSTS INC for work described as: ENCOREII SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for R&D services, indicating a focus on innovation and future capabilities. 2. The contract was competed under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', suggesting a deliberate selection process. 3. The duration of the contract (1981 days) points to a long-term need for these specialized services. 4. Awarded to Data Systems Analysts Inc., a contractor with a significant presence in the defense sector. 5. The contract's value of approximately $19.4 million falls within a moderate spending range for R&D services. 6. The NAICS code 541712 suggests a focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences research. 7. The contract was awarded in Illinois, indicating a specific geographic concentration of this spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the R&D performed. However, the total award value of $19.4 million over nearly five years suggests a moderate annual spend. Comparing it to similar R&D contracts within the Department of Defense would provide better context for value for money. The absence of detailed performance metrics makes a definitive value assessment difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. This procurement method implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources were excluded, potentially due to pre-qualification or specific technical requirements. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method suggests a controlled competition rather than a completely unrestricted one. This could impact price discovery if the pool of eligible bidders was significantly narrowed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a structured competition that aims to balance broad market access with specific technical needs, potentially leading to a more tailored solution at a reasonable price, though not necessarily the absolute lowest possible.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense research and development initiatives, aiming to advance technological capabilities. Services delivered include research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences, contributing to scientific and technological progress. The geographic impact is centered in Illinois, where the contractor is based and services are likely performed. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for scientists, engineers, and research support staff within Data Systems Analysts Inc. and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and true value of the R&D conducted.
The 'Exclusion of Sources' aspect of the competition warrants further investigation to understand the rationale and potential impact on competition.
Limited public information on the specific R&D projects undertaken hinders a comprehensive understanding of the contract's impact.
The long contract duration could pose risks if technological needs shift significantly during its term.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, indicating that multiple entities were considered.
The contract supports critical R&D functions for the Department of Defense, aligning with national security objectives.
The contractor, Data Systems Analysts Inc., likely possesses specialized expertise relevant to the R&D requirements.
The contract's value suggests a significant investment in advancing scientific and engineering knowledge.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The R&D market within the defense sector is substantial, driven by the need for technological superiority. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other DoD contracts for similar scientific research services, often awarded under specific R&D vehicles or broad agency announcements. The NAICS code 541712 is a common identifier for firms engaged in this type of advanced scientific inquiry.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans for this specific contract is not readily available from the provided data. As the contract was awarded to Data Systems Analysts Inc., a private entity, the extent of their engagement with small businesses as subcontractors would depend on their internal policies and the nature of the R&D work. Without explicit set-aside provisions, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Defense, likely through the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). Accountability measures would involve contract performance reviews, milestone tracking, and financial audits. Transparency is often limited for R&D contracts due to the sensitive nature of the work, but reporting requirements to the contracting agency are standard. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

ENCORE II
Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Information Technology R&D
Scientific and Technical Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Competition Method Specificity
Lack of Detailed Performance Metrics
Limited Public Disclosure of R&D Scope

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.4 million to DATA SYSTEMS ANALYSTS INC. ENCOREII SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DATA SYSTEMS ANALYSTS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-10-27. End: 2014-03-31.

What specific research and development projects were undertaken under this ENCORE II contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)' under the ENCORE II vehicle. However, specific project details are not publicly disclosed in this summary. Such R&D efforts often focus on areas like advanced materials, sensor technology, communication systems, or simulation and modeling, aimed at enhancing defense capabilities. The exact nature of the work would be detailed in the contract's statement of work, which is typically not made public for security or proprietary reasons. Further investigation into DISA's contract award databases or public R&D reports might yield more granular information on the types of scientific inquiry supported.

How does the $19.4 million contract value compare to other R&D contracts awarded by the DoD for similar services?

The $19.4 million total value over approximately five years (2008-2014) represents an average annual spend of roughly $3.9 million. This figure is moderate within the vast landscape of Department of Defense R&D spending. The DoD awards numerous contracts for R&D, ranging from small, targeted research grants to multi-billion dollar programs. Contracts for specialized scientific and engineering services, particularly those under large IDIQ vehicles like ENCORE II, can vary significantly in value. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze contracts with similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541712) and service descriptions awarded within the same timeframe or to similar defense agencies. However, this contract's value suggests a focused effort rather than a large-scale, multi-year program.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this R&D contract are not detailed in the provided summary. For R&D contracts, success is often measured by the achievement of specific research milestones, the development of prototypes, the successful testing of new technologies, the publication of findings, or the transition of research outcomes into operational systems. The contracting agency, likely the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), would have established these metrics in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). Performance would be evaluated against these defined criteria throughout the contract's duration. Without access to the SOW/PWS, a precise assessment of performance metrics is not possible.

What is the track record of Data Systems Analysts Inc. in performing similar R&D contracts for the government?

Data Systems Analysts Inc. (DSA) has a history of performing various IT and R&D services for government agencies, including the Department of Defense. While this specific contract represents a significant award, DSA's broader portfolio likely includes numerous other contracts. Their track record would be assessed based on past performance evaluations, on-time delivery, quality of work, and adherence to budget on previous government contracts. Information on their past performance is typically available through government databases like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), though access may be restricted. Generally, companies winning contracts under competitive solicitations like ENCORE II have demonstrated a capacity to meet government requirements.

What does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' procurement method imply about this contract?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method signifies a procurement process that initially aimed for broad competition but ultimately excluded certain potential sources. This exclusion is typically based on specific, justifiable criteria outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), such as unique capabilities, existing security clearances, or prior development work. It implies that while the government sought proposals from all responsible sources, only those meeting predefined conditions were eligible. This method aims to ensure that the selected contractor possesses highly specialized knowledge or capabilities essential for the requirement, potentially leading to a more tailored and effective solution, though it may limit the breadth of competition compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10400 EATON PL STE 500, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Subchapter S Corporation

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,392,630

Exercised Options: $19,392,630

Current Obligation: $19,392,630

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HC102808D2006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline