GAUSS MANAGEMENT RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING INC awarded $8.76M for aviation and aerospace flight and engineering support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,756,052 ($8.8M)

Contractor: Gauss Management Research and Engineering Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2022-09-03

End Date: 2026-09-02

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: AVIATION AND AEROSPACE FLIGHT AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT AAFES TO PERSONNEL RECOVERY FORCES

Place of Performance

Location: TUCSON, PIMA County, ARIZONA, 85707

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $8.8 million to GAUSS MANAGEMENT RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING INC for work described as: AVIATION AND AEROSPACE FLIGHT AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT AAFES TO PERSONNEL RECOVERY FORCES Key points: 1. Contract value of $8.76M over 4 years for specialized aviation and aerospace support. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, providing cost certainty. 4. Performance period spans from September 2022 to September 2026. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541712, indicating R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses. 7. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8.76M for aviation and aerospace flight and engineering support appears reasonable for a 4-year duration. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized engineering and R&D services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost risks for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This typically leads to a more robust selection of qualified contractors and potentially better pricing due to market forces. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competition type suggests a healthy market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and encourage innovation, leading to better value for public funds.

Public Impact

Personnel recovery forces are the primary beneficiaries of this aviation and aerospace support. The services delivered are critical for flight and engineering operations within these forces. The contract is being performed in Arizona, indicating a specific geographic focus for operations. The contract supports specialized technical and engineering roles within the aviation and aerospace sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support services.
Risk of cost overruns if unforeseen technical challenges arise.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market for these services.
Long-term contract duration allows for sustained support and relationship building.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically NAICS 541712. This sector is characterized by innovation and specialized expertise. The market for aviation and aerospace engineering support is highly technical and often involves a limited number of highly qualified firms. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining advanced technological capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific contract may be limited unless the prime contractor actively engages small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the General Services Administration (GSA). The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and detailed oversight activities may not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Aviation Support Services
Aerospace Engineering Contracts
Research and Development Contracts
Defense Support Services
Personnel Recovery Operations

Risk Flags

Contract awarded under full and open competition.
Firm-fixed-price contract type.
Delivery order under a larger contract vehicle.
Performance period of 1460 days (4 years).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $8.8 million to GAUSS MANAGEMENT RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING INC. AVIATION AND AEROSPACE FLIGHT AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT AAFES TO PERSONNEL RECOVERY FORCES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GAUSS MANAGEMENT RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-03. End: 2026-09-02.

What is the track record of GAUSS MANAGEMENT RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING INC with federal contracts, particularly in aviation and aerospace support?

GAUSS MANAGEMENT RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING INC has a history of federal contracting. While specific details on their track record in aviation and aerospace support require deeper analysis of contract databases, their award for this $8.76M contract indicates a level of qualification and experience recognized by the General Services Administration. Further investigation into their past performance ratings, previous contract values, and the types of services rendered in similar domains would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability. Examining past performance on similar firm-fixed-price contracts would be particularly relevant to assess their ability to deliver within budget and scope.

How does the $8.76M contract value compare to similar aviation and aerospace engineering support contracts awarded by the government?

The $8.76M contract value for a 4-year period of aviation and aerospace flight and engineering support is within a typical range for specialized R&D and engineering services. However, a precise comparison requires benchmarking against contracts with similar scope, complexity, and duration, as well as considering the specific agency and geographic location. Contracts for highly specialized technical support, particularly those involving flight operations and advanced engineering, can vary significantly. Without access to a detailed database of comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents exceptional value, but the full and open competition suggests a market-driven price.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Key risks for this contract include potential technical challenges leading to cost overruns (despite the fixed-price nature), contractor performance issues, and reliance on a single entity for critical support. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by the GSA, clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and contingency planning. The firm-fixed-price structure itself is a risk mitigation tool for the government, shifting some cost uncertainty to the contractor. The full and open competition also mitigates the risk of awarding to an unqualified vendor.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this specific aviation and aerospace support requirement?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in ensuring value for money when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks are understood. For aviation and aerospace engineering support, where technical requirements can be complex, an FFP contract incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently and deliver the specified services within the agreed-upon price. This structure provides cost certainty to the government. However, if unforeseen technical issues arise that were not reasonably foreseeable during the bidding process, the contractor may face significant challenges, potentially impacting performance or leading to requests for modification, which could affect the initial value proposition.

What is the historical spending trend for aviation and aerospace engineering support services by the General Services Administration or similar agencies?

Historical spending on aviation and aerospace engineering support services by agencies like the GSA can fluctuate based on defense needs, technological advancements, and specific program requirements. While this specific contract is for $8.76M, broader trends in federal spending for R&D and specialized engineering services within the aerospace sector have generally shown consistent investment, particularly driven by defense and national security priorities. Analyzing aggregated spending data over several fiscal years for NAICS code 541712 and related categories would reveal overall market size and growth trends, helping to contextualize the significance of this individual award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

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

Solicitation ID: 47QFSA22Q0045

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5875 S ADAMS AVE PKWY STE 2A, SOUTH OGDEN, UT, 84405

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,322,630

Exercised Options: $9,041,010

Current Obligation: $8,756,052

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0028W

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline