GSA Awards $4.6M for SBIR Phase III Proficiency Training to APTIMA INC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,644,942 ($4.6M)
Contractor: Aptima Inc
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2024-09-30
End Date: 2026-09-29
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SBIR PHASE III PROFICIENCY BASED TRAINING (PBT)
Place of Performance
Location: DAYTON, GREENE County, OHIO, 45433
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $4.6 million to APTIMA INC for work described as: SBIR PHASE III PROFICIENCY BASED TRAINING (PBT) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to APTIMA INC for SBIR Phase III Proficiency Based Training. 2. The contract is valued at $4.64 million and runs until September 2026. 3. The NAICS code 541715 indicates Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 4. This appears to be a sole-source award, limiting competitive opportunities.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without more specific details on the services provided.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract is listed as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price due to a lack of competitive bidding.
Public Impact
Taxpayers are funding advanced R&D training services. The award supports a specific company, APTIMA INC, in a specialized R&D sector. Lack of competition raises concerns about the efficient use of federal funds.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Limited transparency on specific deliverables
Positive Signals
- Supports SBIR Phase III initiative
- Focus on proficiency-based training
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS 541715. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but requires careful oversight to ensure value for money.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or benefits for small businesses in this contract award.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the contractor is delivering on all requirements and that costs are reasonable and justified.
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 limits competition and price discovery.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
- Lack of detailed information on training specifics and performance metrics.
- Potential for reduced value for taxpayer dollars due to lack of competition.
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 $4.6 million to APTIMA INC. SBIR PHASE III PROFICIENCY BASED TRAINING (PBT)
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 $4.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.
What specific proficiency-based training is being provided under this contract, and how does it align with agency R&D goals?
The contract details are limited, but 'Proficiency Based Training (PBT)' suggests a focus on skill development and performance measurement within the R&D domain. Further clarification is needed to understand how this training directly supports the agency's specific research and development objectives and contributes to overall mission success.
Given the sole-source nature, what steps were taken to ensure the fixed fee is fair and reasonable for the services rendered?
Without competitive bidding, the government must rely on robust cost analysis and negotiation to ensure a fair and reasonable price. This typically involves reviewing the contractor's proposed costs, historical pricing, and market research for similar services. The agency's procurement team should have conducted thorough due diligence to justify the fixed fee.
How will the effectiveness of this training be measured to ensure taxpayer value and impact on R&D outcomes?
Effectiveness measurement should be tied to the 'proficiency-based' aspect of the training. This could involve pre- and post-training assessments, performance evaluations of trained personnel, and tracking of improved R&D project outcomes. Clear metrics and reporting requirements within the contract are essential for accountability.
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 › Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 47QFLA24Q0128
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: $9,267,526
Exercised Options: $6,088,975
Current Obligation: $4,644,942
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: 2024-09-30
Current End Date: 2026-09-29
Potential End Date: 2027-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-31
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