DoD awards $33.1M for FBCB2 training, highlighting communication equipment repair needs
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $33,104,573 ($33.1M)
Contractor: Engineering Solutions & Products LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-03-30
End Date: 2010-04-29
Contract Duration: 395 days
Daily Burn Rate: $83.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: TASK ORDER 14 - FBCB2 TRAINING REQUIREMENT
Place of Performance
Location: EATONTOWN, MONMOUTH County, NEW JERSEY, 07724
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $33.1 million to ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS & PRODUCTS LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER 14 - FBCB2 TRAINING REQUIREMENT Key points: 1. Spending focuses on communication equipment repair and maintenance, a critical but potentially niche area. 2. Engineering Solutions & Products LLC secured the contract, indicating potential concentration in this service provider. 3. The contract duration of over a year suggests a sustained need for these training services. 4. The 'TIME AND MATERIALS' contract type introduces cost variability and requires diligent oversight.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely. Benchmarking against similar T&M contracts for specialized training is difficult without more granular data on labor hours and material costs.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific nature of FBCB2 training might limit the number of qualified bidders, potentially impacting the price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for specialized military training. The T&M structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and aligned with the value received.
Public Impact
Ensures readiness of military personnel by providing essential training on communication systems. Supports the operational effectiveness of the FBCB2 system, a key component of battlefield communication. Funds specialized technical training, potentially leading to a more skilled and capable military workforce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials contract type risks cost escalation.
- Limited data on specific training components makes value assessment difficult.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is concentrated.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Addresses a critical military training requirement.
- Supports operational readiness.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader defense sector, specifically focusing on IT and communication systems training. Spending benchmarks for specialized military training are highly variable, depending on the system's complexity and the required skill level.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were made available to small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The Time and Materials contract type requires stringent oversight to monitor labor hours, material costs, and overall project scope to prevent cost creep and ensure efficient use of taxpayer funds.
Related Government Programs
- Communication Equipment Repair and Maintenance
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract.
- Limited visibility into specific training components and their cost breakdown.
- Dependence on a single contractor for specialized training.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Tags
communication-equipment-repair-and-maint, department-of-defense, nj, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $33.1 million to ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS & PRODUCTS LLC. TASK ORDER 14 - FBCB2 TRAINING REQUIREMENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS & PRODUCTS 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 $33.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-03-30. End: 2010-04-29.
What specific metrics are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the FBCB2 training provided under this contract?
Effectiveness is likely evaluated through post-training assessments, simulation performance, and ultimately, the operational success of units utilizing the FBCB2 system in real-world scenarios. Specific metrics might include pass/fail rates on technical tests, proficiency in system operation under simulated combat conditions, and feedback from unit commanders on crew performance.
How does the 'TIME AND MATERIALS' contract type mitigate risks associated with specialized training requirements?
While T&M offers flexibility for evolving training needs, it inherently carries risks of cost escalation. Mitigation relies heavily on robust government oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours, material usage, and defined ceiling prices. Clear task definitions and regular progress reviews are crucial to prevent scope creep and ensure costs remain justifiable against the training outcomes achieved.
What is the long-term strategic value of investing in FBCB2 training versus alternative communication system training?
The long-term value lies in maintaining the operational readiness and effectiveness of a specific, critical military communication system. Investing in FBCB2 training ensures personnel are proficient, maximizing the system's utility and interoperability. The strategic value is tied to the continued reliance on FBCB2 for battlefield command and control, justifying the specialized training investment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance › Communication Equipment Repair and Maintenance
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4 INDUSTRIAL WAY W FL 3, EATONTOWN, NJ, 04
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $33,104,573
Exercised Options: $33,104,573
Current Obligation: $33,104,573
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W15P7T09DB201
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-03-30
Current End Date: 2010-04-29
Potential End Date: 2010-04-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-10-21
More Contracts from Engineering Solutions & Products LLC
- Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance Integrated Logistics Support Services in Support of Project Manager Warfighter Information Network Tactical Programs Igf::cl::igf — $116.5M (General Services Administration)
- Award NEW Task Order for U.S. Army C-E Lcmc, Directorate for Readiness, Force Modernization Division Total Package Fielding and NEW Equipment Training in Support of Project Manager Tactical Radio Communications Systems — $98.6M (Department of Defense)
- Win-T Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (seta) Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) Services — $78.6M (General Services Administration)
- Total Package Fielding and Field Support Services Logistics and Readiness Center — $78.2M (Department of Defense)
- KGV-72 Programmable Inline Encryption Device (pied)installation and Training Support — $35.8M (Department of Defense)
View all Engineering Solutions & Products LLC federal contracts →
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)