DoD's $17.3M contract for weapons systems support awarded to Inveris Training Solutions, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,350,668 ($17.4M)

Contractor: Inveris Training Solutions, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2017-12-14

End Date: 2022-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,751 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Defense

Official Description: M249 ENHANCED BLUEFIRE TETHERLESS/CONVERTIBLE WEAPONS WITH ASSOCIATED SUPPORT PRODUCTS

Place of Performance

Location: ORLANDO, ORANGE County, FLORIDA, 32826

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.4 million to INVERIS TRAINING SOLUTIONS, INC for work described as: M249 ENHANCED BLUEFIRE TETHERLESS/CONVERTIBLE WEAPONS WITH ASSOCIATED SUPPORT PRODUCTS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of support services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract's duration of over 4 years indicates a need for sustained support. 4. Performance is tied to a specific weapons system, highlighting specialized requirements. 5. The award falls within the broader defense sector's spending on training and simulation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $17.3 million over nearly five years for enhanced weapons systems support appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized defense services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for training systems and support products is challenging without more specific details on the 'Bluefire Tetherless/Convertible Weapons' system. However, the duration and nature of the services suggest a fair price point was likely achieved through the competitive process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the use of full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment, which is expected to lead to better pricing and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition maximizes the opportunity for the government to receive the best possible pricing and innovative solutions, ultimately benefiting taxpayers by ensuring funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army personnel who will utilize the enhanced weapons systems. Services delivered include support products for the 'Bluefire Tetherless/Convertible Weapons' system, likely encompassing maintenance, training, and technical assistance. The contract's performance location is Florida (FL), indicating a geographic focus for service delivery. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled technicians and support staff employed by Inveris Training Solutions, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the support provided.
The 'Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing' NAICS code may not fully capture the specialized nature of weapons systems support.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Long contract duration implies a stable and reliable support provider was sought.
Specific system support indicates a focused and potentially high-value capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the defense industry's broader spending on weapon systems, training, and support. The market for specialized defense support services is competitive, with numerous contractors vying for government awards. Spending in this sector is often driven by modernization efforts, readiness requirements, and the sustainment of existing platforms. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing contracts for similar weapon system support, simulation, and training equipment.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from set-aside requirements. However, the prime contractor may still engage small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Army contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are usually embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Training and Simulation Equipment
Weapon System Maintenance and Support
Military Readiness Programs
Tactical Equipment Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes objective evaluation difficult.
Limited detail on the specific weapon system and support scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.4 million to INVERIS TRAINING SOLUTIONS, INC. M249 ENHANCED BLUEFIRE TETHERLESS/CONVERTIBLE WEAPONS WITH ASSOCIATED SUPPORT PRODUCTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INVERIS TRAINING SOLUTIONS, 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 $17.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-12-14. End: 2022-09-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'Bluefire Tetherless/Convertible Weapons' system and the support products provided under this contract?

The 'Bluefire Tetherless/Convertible Weapons' system is a specialized piece of military equipment, likely related to training or tactical applications, that offers both tethered and convertible operational modes. The support products provided under this contract would typically encompass a range of services essential for the system's lifecycle. This could include maintenance and repair, technical support, spare parts provisioning, software updates, documentation, and potentially training for military personnel on the system's operation and upkeep. The exact nature and scope of these support products are crucial for fully understanding the contract's value and performance requirements, but are not detailed in the provided data.

How does the awarded amount of $17.3 million compare to similar contracts for defense training and support systems?

Directly comparing the $17.3 million award to similar contracts is challenging without more granular data on the specific system and services. However, for specialized defense training and support systems, contract values can range widely from a few million to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on complexity, duration, and quantity. Contracts for sustainment and support services often span multiple years, as seen here with a duration of over 1700 days (approx. 4.7 years). Given the 'enhanced' nature of the support and the likely specialized technology involved, $17.3 million over this period appears to be a moderate investment within the defense sector's typical spending patterns for such capabilities.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the contractor's performance on this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate Inveris Training Solutions, Inc.'s performance on this contract. Typically, for support services contracts, KPIs would focus on aspects such as timeliness of delivery for support products, response times for technical assistance, quality of repairs or maintenance, availability of spare parts, and adherence to technical specifications. Performance would likely be assessed through regular reviews, contractor reporting, and potentially user feedback from the Department of the Army. The absence of specific KPIs in the summary data makes a detailed performance assessment difficult.

What is the track record of Inveris Training Solutions, Inc. with Department of Defense contracts, particularly in weapons systems support?

Inveris Training Solutions, Inc. has a history of performing contracts with the Department of Defense, including services related to training and simulation systems. While this specific contract is for 'Bluefire Tetherless/Convertible Weapons' support, the company's broader experience likely involves providing similar technical and logistical support for various defense platforms. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal the number and value of previous awards, their performance ratings on past contracts, and any specific expertise they possess in weapons systems sustainment. This information would provide further context on their suitability and track record for this particular award.

What is the potential risk associated with the 'time and materials' (PT) contract type for this type of specialized support?

Time and Materials (T&M) contract types, like the one indicated (PT: TIME AND MATERIALS), carry inherent risks for the government, primarily related to cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts do not have a ceiling on the total cost, meaning the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor. This can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently. For specialized support services, T&M can be appropriate when the scope of work is not well-defined or is expected to change. However, it requires robust oversight from the government to ensure efficiency, prevent unnecessary labor, and validate material costs. The risk is mitigated by strong contract administration and clear statements of work.

How does the geographic location of performance in Florida impact the delivery of these defense support services?

The performance location being in Florida (ST: FL, SN: FLORIDA) suggests that Inveris Training Solutions, Inc. will be providing support services from or within that state. This could be due to proximity to a major Army base, training facility, or a strategic hub for defense logistics in the region. The impact on service delivery depends on the specific requirements of the 'Bluefire Tetherless/Convertible Weapons' system. If the system is stationed or utilized extensively in Florida, having the support contractor located there can facilitate quicker response times for maintenance, on-site technical assistance, and potentially reduce travel costs. Conversely, if the system is deployed elsewhere, the Florida location might necessitate additional logistical planning for the contractor.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing › Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: TRAINING AIDS AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W900KK13R0007

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Purolator Facet, Inc.

Address: 296 BROGDON RD, SUWANEE, GA, 30024

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: $17,350,668

Exercised Options: $17,350,668

Current Obligation: $17,350,668

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W900KK14D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline