DoD's ENCORE II LABOR contract awarded to Data Systems Analysts Inc. for $185M over 6 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $185,374,850 ($185.4M)

Contractor: Data Systems Analysts Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-09-30

End Date: 2015-03-29

Contract Duration: 2,006 days

Daily Burn Rate: $92.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ENCORE II LABOR

Place of Performance

Location: DOVER, MORRIS County, NEW JERSEY, 07801

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $185.4 million to DATA SYSTEMS ANALYSTS INC for work described as: ENCORE II LABOR Key points: 1. Contract value of $185.4M represents significant investment in R&D services. 2. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources suggests a deliberate procurement strategy. 3. Contract duration of 6 years indicates a long-term need for these specialized services. 4. The NAICS code 541712 points to a focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D. 5. Awarded by the Defense Information Systems Agency, highlighting its importance to defense IT infrastructure. 6. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 7. The presence of 3 bidders indicates a moderate level of competition for this contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $185.4M over approximately 6 years suggests a substantial but potentially reasonable investment for specialized R&D services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D contracts within the DoD is necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government in managing cost overruns, provided the initial pricing was competitive. Without specific per-unit cost data or detailed breakdowns of services rendered, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process offers some assurance.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the competition was broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on pre-defined criteria. With 3 bidders, the competition level was moderate. This suggests that while multiple companies were considered, the market for these specific R&D services might be somewhat concentrated or that the exclusion criteria narrowed the field significantly. Moderate competition can lead to a balance between price discovery and contractor specialization.

Taxpayer Impact: A moderate level of competition, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging competitive pricing. However, the exclusion of certain sources warrants scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit the potential for lower bids or broader innovation.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense agencies requiring advanced research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Services delivered under this contract support the development of new technologies and scientific advancements crucial for national security. The geographic impact is primarily within New Jersey, where Data Systems Analysts Inc. is located, but the technological advancements could have national implications. The contract supports a specialized workforce in R&D, contributing to the high-tech sector's employment in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited innovation if the exclusion of sources was overly restrictive.
Risk of cost creep if the firm fixed-price contract did not adequately account for all potential R&D complexities.
Dependence on a single contractor for a significant period could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to a single entity suggests a strong fit for the required specialized R&D capabilities.
The contract's duration indicates a stable, long-term need being met, ensuring continuity of critical R&D efforts.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences (excluding biotechnology). This is a critical area for defense innovation, enabling the development of advanced technologies. The market for such specialized R&D services is often characterized by a limited number of highly skilled firms. The $185.4M award over six years positions this as a significant contract within this niche, likely contributing to the overall R&D spending within the defense industrial base.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a set-aside. The primary contractor, Data Systems Analysts Inc., is likely a mid-to-large-sized business given the contract value. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem would depend on whether Data Systems Analysts Inc. actively engages small businesses as subcontractors, which is not specified in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics and specific R&D outcomes may not always be publicly disclosed due to the sensitive nature of defense research. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

ENCORE II
DoD Research and Development Contracts
Information Technology R&D
Defense Science and Technology Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion criteria.
Lack of detailed public performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
R&D contracts inherently carry risks related to innovation and outcome uncertainty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $185.4 million to DATA SYSTEMS ANALYSTS INC. ENCORE II LABOR

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 $185.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-30. End: 2015-03-29.

What is the track record of Data Systems Analysts Inc. with the Department of Defense, particularly on similar R&D contracts?

Data Systems Analysts Inc. (DSA) has a history of contracting with the Department of Defense. While specific details on their performance on similar R&D contracts require deeper investigation into past performance reviews and award histories, their ability to secure a $185.4 million contract suggests a demonstrated capability and a level of trust from the agency. Analyzing their portfolio of previous DoD awards, including contract values, durations, and the nature of services provided, would offer a clearer picture of their expertise and reliability in the R&D domain. It's important to look for consistent positive performance indicators, timely delivery, and adherence to technical specifications in their past engagements to fully assess their track record.

How does the $185.4 million total award compare to other R&D contracts awarded by DISA or the DoD in the physical, engineering, and life sciences sector?

The $185.4 million total award for ENCORE II LABOR is a substantial sum, placing it among significant investments in R&D. To benchmark its value, it should be compared against other contracts awarded by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and the broader Department of Defense (DoD) for similar research and development services within the physical, engineering, and life sciences (NAICS 541712). Analyzing the average contract value, duration, and scope of work for comparable contracts over the past 5-10 years would provide context. If this contract's value is significantly higher or lower than the average for similar services, it could indicate either exceptional value or potential overpricing/underbidding. The firm fixed-price nature also influences comparisons, as it shifts risk differently than cost-plus contracts.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of the ENCORE II LABOR contract, and how has Data Systems Analysts Inc. performed against them?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the ENCORE II LABOR contract are not publicly detailed in the provided data. However, for R&D contracts of this nature, typical KPIs often include adherence to project timelines, successful completion of research milestones, quality of research findings, innovation achieved, and effective utilization of allocated resources. Performance against these KPIs would be assessed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) throughout the contract's lifecycle. Without access to performance reports or contract close-out documentation, it's difficult to definitively state how Data Systems Analysts Inc. has performed. Generally, continued contract awards or modifications suggest satisfactory performance, but a thorough assessment would require reviewing official performance evaluations.

What is the historical spending trend for R&D services under the ENCORE II program or similar DISA initiatives?

Analyzing historical spending trends for R&D services under the ENCORE II program, or similar initiatives managed by DISA, is crucial for understanding the agency's investment patterns. The ENCORE II contract itself, with a total award of $185.4 million over approximately six years, indicates a consistent allocation of resources towards R&D. To establish a trend, one would examine DISA's budget allocations and actual expenditures for R&D over several fiscal years, looking at the number and value of contracts awarded in relevant categories (like NAICS 541712). This analysis would reveal whether spending in this area is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and how this specific contract fits within that broader financial picture.

What specific types of physical, engineering, and life sciences research are being conducted under this contract?

The provided data specifies the NAICS code (541712) as 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology),' but does not detail the specific research areas. Under the broad umbrella of this code, Data Systems Analysts Inc. could be involved in a wide array of projects. This might include areas such as advanced materials science, aerospace engineering research, environmental engineering studies, cybersecurity research related to physical infrastructure, biomedical engineering, or fundamental research in physics and chemistry relevant to defense applications. The exact nature of the R&D would be defined in the contract's statement of work (SOW), which is not publicly available in this dataset.

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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8 NESHAMINY INTERPLEX DR STE 209, FEASTERVILLE TREVOSE, PA, 19053

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $185,374,850

Exercised Options: $185,374,850

Current Obligation: $185,374,850

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HC102808D2006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline