DoD's $16.5M Graphic Design Services Contract Awarded to Engility Corporation Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,568,008 ($16.6M)
Contractor: Engility Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-07-30
End Date: 2009-12-31
Contract Duration: 885 days
Daily Burn Rate: $18.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: QA MANAGER TAS::21 2020::TAS
Place of Performance
Location: FORT BELVOIR, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22060
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $16.6 million to ENGILITY CORPORATION for work described as: QA MANAGER TAS::21 2020::TAS Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through competitive bidding process. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a robust market for graphic design services. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, given the service nature of the contract. 4. Performance context relies on successful delivery order execution. 5. Sector positioning within professional services, specifically design and technical support.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $16.5 million for graphic design services appears reasonable when considering the duration of 885 days (approximately 2.4 years). Benchmarking against similar contracts for graphic design and technical illustration services within the Department of Defense suggests that this award falls within a typical spending range for such specialized support. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while requiring careful oversight, allows for flexibility in project scope.
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 presence of 4 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery, as it incentivizes contractors to offer competitive pricing to secure the award.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario. It ensures that the government explored the market broadly to secure the best value.
Public Impact
The Department of Defense benefits from enhanced visual communication materials. Services delivered include graphic design and potentially related technical illustration. Geographic impact is likely concentrated around the contracting agency's locations, primarily Virginia. Workforce implications may involve specialized graphic designers and project managers.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in Time and Materials contracts if not closely managed.
- Ensuring consistent quality across all delivery orders requires strong QA oversight.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating market validation.
- Multiple bidders suggest a competitive environment that can drive value.
- Contract duration provides stability for service delivery.
Sector Analysis
The graphic design services sector is a component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This contract fits within the government's need for specialized support services that enhance communication and technical documentation. Comparable spending benchmarks for graphic design and multimedia production services within federal agencies can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
While this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside, the prime contractor, Engility Corporation, may engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. The extent of small business participation would depend on Engility's subcontracting plan and the specific needs of the graphic design tasks. A robust subcontracting program can foster growth within the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the relevant program managers within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Graphic Design Support
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Visual Information Services
- Technical Documentation Support
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing structure.
- Need for strong government oversight to manage scope and efficiency.
- Ensuring consistent quality across diverse design tasks.
Tags
department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, graphic-design-services, professional-services, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, virginia, engility-corporation, naics-541430
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $16.6 million to ENGILITY CORPORATION. QA MANAGER TAS::21 2020::TAS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ENGILITY CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $16.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-07-30. End: 2009-12-31.
What was Engility Corporation's track record with the Department of Defense prior to this award?
Prior to this specific award in 2007, Engility Corporation (and its predecessors/related entities) likely had a history of performing various services for the Department of Defense. Federal procurement data would detail their past performance, including contract types, values, and agencies served. A thorough review would examine their performance ratings on previous contracts, any past performance issues, and their overall experience in providing technical and professional services. This context is crucial for understanding their capability to execute the graphic design services requirement effectively and manage the associated risks.
How does the $16.5 million value compare to other graphic design contracts awarded by the DoD?
The $16.5 million value for this contract, spanning approximately 2.4 years, places it as a significant, but not exceptionally large, award for specialized graphic design services within the Department of Defense. The DoD procures a wide range of services, and while smaller, task-order-based graphic design needs might be in the tens or hundreds of thousands, larger, multi-year contracts for comprehensive visual information and design support can easily reach into the tens of millions. This award appears to be in line with medium-to-large scale requirements for sustained design support, especially considering the potential for complex technical illustrations or large-scale campaign materials.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for graphic design services?
The primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for graphic design services revolve around cost control and scope definition. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual labor hours and materials used. This can lead to cost overruns if the scope of work is not clearly defined upfront or if project requirements evolve significantly. There's also a risk of inefficiency if not properly monitored, as the contractor is paid for time spent. For graphic design, this could manifest as extended design iterations or less efficient workflows if not managed diligently by the government's technical team.
How effective is full and open competition in ensuring value for money for graphic design services?
Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in government contracting, including for graphic design services. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, the government maximizes the pool of potential offerors, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing. This process encourages contractors to propose their best technical solutions and most cost-effective approaches to win the contract. The presence of multiple bidders, as indicated by the 4 bidders in this case, further supports price discovery and reduces the risk of paying an inflated price. While effective, successful value realization still depends on robust source selection criteria and effective contract administration.
What is the historical spending trend for graphic design services within the Department of the Army?
Historical spending trends for graphic design services within the Department of the Army, and the DoD more broadly, show a consistent need for these capabilities across various commands and projects. Spending can fluctuate based on specific military campaigns, public affairs initiatives, training material development, and modernization efforts requiring visual aids. While specific aggregate data for 'graphic design services' might be categorized under broader NAICS codes like 'Graphic Design Services' (541430) or 'Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services' (541800), the overall trend indicates sustained investment. This particular $16.5M contract represents a significant portion of annual spending for a specific period, highlighting the importance placed on professional visual communication.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Specialized Design Services › Graphic Design Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Contractor Details
Address: 700 TECHNOLOGY PARK DRIVE, BILLERICA, MA, 01821
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,318,990
Exercised Options: $16,568,008
Current Obligation: $16,568,008
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DAAB1501A1024
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-07-30
Current End Date: 2009-12-31
Potential End Date: 2009-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-08-07
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