DoD Awards $14.1M Task Order for Engineering Services to Signal Solutions, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,133,722 ($14.1M)

Contractor: Signal Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-04-23

End Date: 2009-09-22

Contract Duration: 883 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: TASK ORDER FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22030

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.1 million to SIGNAL SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES. Key points: 1. Spending on wired telecommunications carriers is a significant area for government IT infrastructure. 2. Signal Solutions, LLC, secured this contract under full and open competition. 3. The contract duration of 883 days suggests a substantial, ongoing need for these services. 4. The 'VA' (Veterans Affairs) contract type indicates a focus on services for veterans, though the agency is DoD. 5. The award amount of $14.1M warrants scrutiny for value and efficiency.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Benchmarking against similar engineering service contracts is crucial to assess if the $14.1M represents fair value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to access a wide range of qualified vendors. This method is ideal for ensuring the best value is obtained.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition aims to maximize taxpayer value by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and improves service quality.

Public Impact

This contract supports critical engineering services for the Department of Defense, potentially impacting military readiness and operations. The significant dollar amount suggests a substantial investment in telecommunications infrastructure, which underpins many government functions. The duration of the contract implies a long-term need, highlighting the ongoing importance of these services to the agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can inflate costs without strict oversight.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Potential for scope creep given the T&M structure.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Contract supports a critical government function (engineering services).
Vendor has a contract award history.

Sector Analysis

The IT sector, particularly wired telecommunications carriers, is essential for modern government operations. Spending in this area can range widely depending on the complexity and scale of infrastructure projects. This $14.1M award appears significant for a single task order.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of Time and Materials contracts is critical to prevent cost overruns. The Department of Defense must ensure robust monitoring of hours and materials to maintain accountability and ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

Related Government Programs

Wired Telecommunications Carriers
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure.
Lack of detailed service description.
Potential for cost overruns.
Limited insight into small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.1 million to SIGNAL SOLUTIONS, LLC. TASK ORDER FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIGNAL SOLUTIONS, 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 $14.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-04-23. End: 2009-09-22.

What specific engineering services were procured under this task order, and how do they align with the Department of the Army's strategic objectives?

The provided data identifies the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 517110 for Wired Telecommunications Carriers, suggesting services related to telecommunications infrastructure. However, the specific engineering tasks are not detailed. Understanding the precise nature of these services is crucial to assess their alignment with the Army's objectives and to determine if the $14.1M expenditure is justified by the criticality and scope of the work performed.

Given the Time and Materials pricing, what mechanisms were in place to control costs and prevent potential overruns during the contract's 883-day duration?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts inherently carry a risk of cost escalation. Effective oversight would involve stringent monitoring of labor hours, material costs, and contractor performance. Establishing clear ceiling prices, requiring detailed justifications for all expenditures, and conducting regular audits are essential to mitigate risks and ensure the government receives value for its investment. Without specific details on these controls, the risk of overspending remains a concern.

How does the $14.1M award compare to industry benchmarks for similar engineering services contracts awarded through full and open competition?

Benchmarking this $14.1M award requires detailed comparison with similar contracts for engineering services within the wired telecommunications sector, considering factors like contract duration, scope of work, and vendor experience. While full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment, the specific value proposition depends on the complexity and uniqueness of the services rendered. A thorough analysis would involve reviewing historical data and market research to ascertain if this price point is competitive and reflects fair market value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) › Wired Telecommunications Carriers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: W9128Z05R0003

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 3040 WILLIAMS DRIVE, FAIRFAX, VA, 11

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,133,722

Exercised Options: $14,133,722

Current Obligation: $14,133,722

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W9128Z06D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline