USAF NC3 A3 Support Services contract awarded to Wingbrace LLC for $18.96M over 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,959,514 ($19.0M)

Contractor: Wingbrace LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2020-02-19

End Date: 2025-02-18

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: USAF NC3 A3 SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: HANSCOM AFB, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01731

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $19.0 million to WINGBRACE LLC for work described as: USAF NC3 A3 SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the 5-year duration and specialized IT support. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a 5-year term and labor hour pricing. 4. Performance context is within IT support for critical Air Force nuclear command and control systems. 5. Sector positioning is in IT services, specifically custom computer programming. 6. The contract is a delivery order under a larger MAS contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $18.96 million over five years averages to approximately $3.79 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar IT support contracts for complex government systems is challenging without more specific service details. However, the labor hour pricing model can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. The award to Wingbrace LLC, a relatively smaller entity, suggests they may offer competitive rates, but it also raises questions about their capacity for such a critical system.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The data shows 4 bids were received, which is a reasonable number for a specialized IT service contract. A healthy level of competition generally helps ensure that the government receives competitive pricing and that the chosen contractor is well-qualified.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive bidding process, which aims to secure the best possible price for the required services and reduce the risk of overpayment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the United States Air Force units responsible for Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) systems. Services delivered include custom computer programming and IT support essential for the operation and maintenance of these critical systems. The geographic impact is likely concentrated around Air Force bases where NC3 operations are managed, though the exact locations are not specified. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled IT professionals to be employed by Wingbrace LLC to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Labor hour pricing can lead to cost uncertainty if not closely monitored.
The critical nature of NC3 systems means any performance issues could have significant national security implications.
Wingbrace LLC's track record on contracts of this scale and criticality needs further examination.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contract is a delivery order against an existing MAS contract, implying some pre-qualification of the vendor.
The 5-year duration allows for stability in support for a critical system.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming and support for specialized government systems. The market for IT support services to the defense sector is substantial, with agencies like the Air Force being major consumers. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for IT support of command and control systems, which often require high levels of security clearance and technical expertise, driving up costs.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a primary set-aside consideration (ss: false, sb: false). While Wingbrace LLC might be a small business itself, the contract was competed broadly. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Wingbrace LLC actively engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service, which manages the MAS contract vehicle, and the Air Force program office responsible for NC3 systems. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available, but detailed performance metrics and oversight reports are typically internal.

Related Government Programs

Air Force NC3 Modernization Programs
DoD IT Support Services
GSA MAS Contracts
Custom Computer Programming Services
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to labor hour pricing.
Criticality of the system requires stringent performance and security oversight.
Contractor's capacity and experience with highly sensitive government systems.
Long-term sustainability of support services over the 5-year period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $19.0 million to WINGBRACE LLC. USAF NC3 A3 SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WINGBRACE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-02-19. End: 2025-02-18.

What is Wingbrace LLC's past performance record on similar government contracts, particularly those involving critical national security systems?

Assessing Wingbrace LLC's past performance is crucial given the critical nature of the USAF NC3 A3 Support Services contract. While the provided data indicates Wingbrace LLC as the awardee, it does not detail their performance history. A thorough review would involve examining contract databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for previous awards to Wingbrace LLC, their performance ratings (if available), any past disputes or terminations, and the complexity and criticality of the systems they have supported. Without this information, it's difficult to definitively assess their capability to handle the demands of NC3 systems, which require high reliability and security.

How does the awarded price of $18.96 million over five years compare to market rates for similar IT support services for critical defense systems?

The total contract value of $18.96 million over five years equates to an average annual value of approximately $3.79 million. To benchmark this against market rates, one would need to compare it with similar IT support contracts awarded by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies for systems of comparable complexity and criticality. Factors such as the specific technical skills required, security clearance levels, labor hour rates, and the overall scope of work (e.g., maintenance, development, integration) are essential for a meaningful comparison. Given the specialized nature of NC3 systems, direct comparisons might be limited, but generally, IT support for such high-stakes environments commands premium pricing due to the stringent requirements.

What are the specific risks associated with the labor hour (LH) contract type for this critical IT support service, and how are they being mitigated?

The labor hour (LH) contract type, while offering flexibility, carries inherent risks for cost certainty, especially for critical systems like NC3. The primary risk is that costs can escalate beyond initial estimates if labor hours are not efficiently utilized or if project scope creep occurs without adequate controls. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust project management, detailed work breakdown structures, regular progress reviews, strict adherence to ceilings or ceilings on total labor hours, and potentially incorporating performance metrics tied to cost control. The Air Force program office and GSA would need to actively monitor labor hours and contractor performance to ensure costs remain within acceptable bounds and that value is being delivered.

What is the historical spending trend for NC3 A3 support services, and how does this $18.96 million award fit within that pattern?

Analyzing historical spending for NC3 A3 support services would involve examining contract awards for similar functions over previous fiscal years. This would help determine if the $18.96 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in this area. Factors influencing historical spending could include system upgrades, changes in operational tempo, or shifts in technology. Understanding this trend provides context for the current award, indicating whether it aligns with established budgetary priorities or signifies a new direction or increased requirement for these support services.

How many other vendors were considered or bid on this contract, and what does the level of competition imply about the availability of qualified providers?

The data indicates that this contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' and received 4 bids (no: 4). This suggests a moderate level of competition. Having multiple bidders generally implies that there are several qualified vendors capable of providing these specialized IT support services. A higher number of bids often correlates with more competitive pricing and a greater likelihood of selecting the best-value solution. Conversely, a low number of bids, even under full and open competition, could indicate a niche market or high barriers to entry for potential competitors.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 55 OLD BEDFORD RD, LINCOLN, MA, 01773

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,897,898

Exercised Options: $19,283,595

Current Obligation: $18,959,514

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA19D00EW

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline