CACI NSS, LLC awarded $45.9M for Air Force modeling and simulation services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,932,219 ($45.9M)

Contractor: CACI NSS, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2020-12-16

End Date: 2024-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,201 days

Daily Burn Rate: $38.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: AIR FORCE MODELING AND SIMULATION

Place of Performance

Location: DETROIT, WAYNE County, MICHIGAN, 48243

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $45.9 million to CACI NSS, LLC for work described as: AIR FORCE MODELING AND SIMULATION Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in advanced simulation capabilities. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding process for this service. 3. Performance period spans over three years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The contract type (Time and Materials) may pose cost control challenges. 5. This award falls within the custom computer programming services sector. 6. The General Services Administration (GSA) facilitated this acquisition.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables. However, the duration and scope suggest a substantial investment. The Time and Materials pricing model, while flexible, can sometimes lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed closely. Further analysis of the specific services rendered and comparison to similar modeling and simulation contracts would be needed for a more definitive value assessment.

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 bids. This generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition was intended.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value through a wide range of offers, potentially driving down costs.

Public Impact

The U.S. Air Force is the primary beneficiary, receiving advanced modeling and simulation capabilities. Services delivered likely support mission planning, training, and system development. The geographic impact is national, supporting Air Force operations across various locations. Workforce implications may include specialized technical roles for CACI NSS, LLC employees.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess efficiency.
The broad nature of 'modeling and simulation' could lead to scope creep.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Long-term contract duration indicates a sustained need and potential for stable service delivery.
CACI NSS, LLC is a known entity in government contracting, suggesting some level of established capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically under Custom Computer Programming Services (NAICS 541511). The market for modeling and simulation services is critical for defense, aerospace, and research organizations, enabling complex analysis and virtual testing. Spending in this area is often driven by the need for advanced technological solutions to support national security and innovation. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within IT services for defense agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not indicate a small business set-aside. As a large contract awarded to CACI NSS, LLC, it is unlikely to have direct subcontracting opportunities specifically for small businesses unless CACI NSS, LLC voluntarily includes them in their subcontracting plan. The impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal in terms of direct award, but it highlights the significant role large prime contractors play in the federal IT landscape.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA) and the U.S. Air Force program office. Accountability measures would be defined by the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Air Force Simulation and Training Programs
Department of Defense IT Services
Custom Software Development Contracts
GSA IT Schedule Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of specific performance metrics in public data.
Broad scope of 'modeling and simulation' may require careful management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $45.9 million to CACI NSS, LLC. AIR FORCE MODELING AND SIMULATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CACI NSS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $45.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-12-16. End: 2024-03-31.

What is the specific nature of the modeling and simulation services provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'AIR FORCE MODELING AND SIMULATION' and falls under NAICS code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services). While the specific nature of the services is not detailed, this typically encompasses the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of complex simulation systems. These systems can be used for a wide range of purposes, including but not limited to, training pilots and ground crews, testing new weapon systems in a virtual environment, analyzing operational scenarios, and supporting research and development efforts. The 'Time and Materials' pricing structure suggests that the scope might be flexible or evolve over the contract period, requiring close management by the Air Force to ensure alignment with mission objectives and cost control.

How does the $45.9 million award compare to historical spending on similar Air Force modeling and simulation contracts?

Without access to historical spending data for specific Air Force modeling and simulation contracts, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $45.9 million over approximately 3.5 years (December 2020 to March 2024) represents a significant investment. The average annual value is roughly $13 million. This figure should be benchmarked against other large-scale simulation development and support contracts within the Department of Defense. Factors such as the complexity of the simulations, the number of users, and the required technological sophistication would influence the cost. The 'full and open competition' award suggests that this amount was deemed competitive within the market for such services.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate CACI NSS, LLC's performance on this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics for this contract. Typically, for custom computer programming and simulation services, KPIs might include factors such as system uptime, simulation accuracy, adherence to development timelines, successful integration of new features, user satisfaction, and the number of defects or bugs identified post-deployment. Given the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, performance is often monitored through regular progress reports, milestone achievements, and the efficient utilization of labor hours. The Air Force contracting officers would be responsible for defining and tracking these metrics to ensure the contractor meets the required standards and delivers value.

What is the risk associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this modeling and simulation service?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for modeling and simulation services is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred, plus a fixed fee or profit margin. If the project scope is not well-defined, or if there are inefficiencies in the contractor's execution, costs can escalate beyond initial estimates. For the government, this necessitates robust oversight and management to ensure that the hours billed are reasonable and that the work performed is necessary and productive. Effective project management, clear communication, and regular progress reviews are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How does CACI NSS, LLC's track record in government contracting influence the assessment of this award?

CACI NSS, LLC is a subsidiary of CACI International Inc., a well-established government contractor with a significant presence across various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense. Their track record generally includes extensive experience in IT services, systems integration, and support for complex defense programs. This experience suggests a level of familiarity with government procurement processes, security requirements, and the technical demands of defense-related projects. While specific performance details for this particular contract are not provided, CACI's established position implies a degree of confidence from the awarding agency in their capability to deliver the required modeling and simulation services. However, each contract should be assessed on its own merits and performance.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: ID07200005

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: CACI International Inc

Address: 11955 FREEDOM DR STE 12000, RESTON, VA, 20190

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $52,965,565

Exercised Options: $52,965,565

Current Obligation: $45,932,219

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $699,955

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA873213D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline