GSA Awards $6.2M R&D Contract to APTIMA INC for Modeling & Simulation Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,198,705 ($6.2M)
Contractor: Aptima Inc
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2024-08-12
End Date: 2026-08-11
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SBIR PHASE III TASK ORDER CHIEF MODELING SIMULATION OFFICE CMSO
Place of Performance
Location: DAYTON, GREENE County, OHIO, 45433
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $6.2 million to APTIMA INC for work described as: SBIR PHASE III TASK ORDER CHIEF MODELING SIMULATION OFFICE CMSO Key points: 1. Contract value of $6.2M for R&D services. 2. Sole-source award to APTIMA INC. 3. Potential risk due to limited competition. 4. Sector: Research and Development (Physical, Engineering, Life Sciences).
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is optimal compared to market rates for similar R&D services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competition. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for the government compared to a competitive procurement.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible value, as competitive pressures that drive down costs are absent.
Public Impact
Supports the Chief Modeling Simulation Office (CMSO) with critical R&D. Long-term engagement (729 days) suggests ongoing need for these specialized services. Focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can be prone to cost overruns.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical modeling and simulation functions.
- Long-term contract duration indicates sustained need.
- Specific R&D focus aligns with agency requirements.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The value is moderate for this type of specialized R&D support, but the lack of competition warrants scrutiny.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation is not a factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). There is no indication of efforts to include small businesses in subcontracting opportunities.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award suggests that standard competitive oversight processes may have been bypassed. Further review of the justification for sole-source procurement is recommended to ensure accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Federal Acquisition Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- No small business participation
- Lack of transparency on competition justification
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, general-services-administration, oh, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $6.2 million to APTIMA INC. SBIR PHASE III TASK ORDER CHIEF MODELING SIMULATION OFFICE CMSO
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is APTIMA INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $6.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-08-12. End: 2026-08-11.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and has it been adequately documented?
The provided data states the contract is 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' implying a sole-source justification exists. However, the specific rationale is not detailed. A thorough review of the justification documentation is crucial to ensure it meets regulatory requirements and that alternative competitive approaches were genuinely not feasible.
How will the government ensure cost control and value for money with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract awarded without competition?
With a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract awarded sole-source, robust government oversight is paramount. This includes detailed monitoring of incurred costs, rigorous review of contractor performance against milestones, and proactive management to prevent scope creep. Regular audits and performance evaluations are essential to ensure the fixed fee remains justified and the overall cost is reasonable.
What is the expected impact of APTIMA INC's modeling and simulation expertise on the CMSO's mission effectiveness?
APTIMA INC's expertise in modeling and simulation is expected to directly enhance the Chief Modeling Simulation Office's (CMSO) capabilities. This likely translates to improved analytical insights, more accurate predictions, and better-informed decision-making for complex projects within the physical, engineering, and life sciences domains. The long-term nature of the contract suggests a significant and ongoing contribution to the CMSO's mission.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 47QFLA24Q0108
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Aptima, Inc.
Address: 8 CABOT RD, WOBURN, MA, 01801
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $8,938,643
Exercised Options: $6,297,226
Current Obligation: $6,198,705
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA19D0012
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-08-12
Current End Date: 2026-08-11
Potential End Date: 2027-08-11 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-13
More Contracts from Aptima Inc
- TO 07 Scars — $15.6M (General Services Administration)
- THE Role of Climate in the Prevention of Harmful Behaviors — $11.3M (General Services Administration)
- Aegis Ashore Training Support Services to 01 — $5.3M (General Services Administration)
- Sbir Phase III Proficiency Based Training (PBT) — $4.6M (General Services Administration)
- TO 09 Darpa Semafor — $3.2M (General Services Administration)
Other General Services Administration Contracts
- Software Life Cycle Development — $1.4B (Science Applications International Corporation)
- Task Order (TO) 47qfca21f0018 IS Hereby Awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. (BAH) to Provide Enterprise Level Data to the Ousd(c), and ITS Strategic Partners (I.E., DOD Fourth Estate, DOD Departments, and IC Community) — $1.4B (Booz Allen Hamilton Inc)
- Federal Contract — $1.2B (Booz Allen Hamilton Inc)
- THE Scope of the to IS to Provide Enterprise IT Services for the Usace — $1.1B (Science Applications International Corporation)
- Task Order Award — $1.1B (Booz Allen Hamilton Inc)