USN PMA290 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft Program Awarded $48.3M to Sigma Defense Systems

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $48,317,533 ($48.3M)

Contractor: Sigma Defense Systems LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2022-12-21

End Date: 2026-12-20

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Defense

Official Description: USN PMA290 MARITIME SURVEILLANCE AIRCRAFT PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: PATUXENT RIVER, SAINT MARYS County, MARYLAND, 20670

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $48.3 million to SIGMA DEFENSE SYSTEMS LLC for work described as: USN PMA290 MARITIME SURVEILLANCE AIRCRAFT PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Sigma Defense Systems LLC for engineering services. 2. The contract is for the PMA290 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft Program. 3. This is a Time and Materials contract with a duration of 1460 days. 4. The award was made under Full and Open Competition. 5. The total value of the award is $48,317,533.01.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $48.3M appears reasonable for engineering services related to a maritime surveillance aircraft program. Benchmarking against similar large-scale defense engineering contracts would provide further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to competitive pricing as multiple vendors have the opportunity to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more cost-effective outcome compared to non-competitive methods.

Public Impact

Enhances US Navy's maritime surveillance capabilities. Supports advanced aircraft program development and sustainment. Contributes to national security and defense readiness. Potential for technological advancements in surveillance systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Lack of small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition ensures market forces drive value.
Long-term contract provides program stability.
Award to established defense contractor.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting defense-related aerospace programs. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining technological superiority and operational readiness for military branches.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) and Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) are responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight is crucial, especially with Time and Materials contracts, to ensure adherence to scope and budget.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type.
No small business participation indicated.
Potential for cost overruns.
Complexity of maritime surveillance systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $48.3 million to SIGMA DEFENSE SYSTEMS LLC. USN PMA290 MARITIME SURVEILLANCE AIRCRAFT PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIGMA DEFENSE SYSTEMS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $48.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-12-21. End: 2026-12-20.

What specific engineering services are included in this contract, and how do they align with the PMA290 program's objectives?

The contract is for engineering services supporting the USN PMA290 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft Program. While specific details are not provided, these services likely encompass design, development, testing, integration, and sustainment engineering for the aircraft and its surveillance systems. The objective is to enhance the Navy's ability to conduct maritime surveillance missions effectively.

What are the potential risks associated with the Time and Materials contract type for this program?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts carry inherent risks of cost escalation if not meticulously managed. Without fixed price ceilings or detailed work breakdown structures, there's a potential for scope creep and inefficient labor utilization. Close monitoring of hours, rates, and direct costs by the government is essential to mitigate these risks and control overall expenditure.

How will the effectiveness of the engineering services be measured to ensure program success?

Effectiveness will likely be measured through performance metrics tied to program milestones, technical performance specifications, and delivery schedules. Key performance indicators (KPIs) could include adherence to budget, timely completion of engineering tasks, successful integration of systems, and achievement of desired surveillance capabilities. Regular reviews and acceptance testing will validate the quality and impact of the services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA23Q0023

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1812 MACON RD, PERRY, GA, 31069

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $89,511,845

Exercised Options: $69,966,406

Current Obligation: $48,317,533

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 13

Total Subaward Amount: $24,638,277

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA21D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline