Navy awards $28.6M engineering services contract to CSA Global LLC for watchstander support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,606,765 ($28.6M)

Contractor: CSA Global LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-08-09

End Date: 2011-01-15

Contract Duration: 1,255 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: CNIC ROC WATCH STANDER SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.6 million to CSA GLOBAL LLC for work described as: CNIC ROC WATCH STANDER SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a robust market. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 3. Contract duration of 1255 days indicates a significant, long-term need. 4. The contract falls under Engineering Services, a critical support function. 5. Awarded by the Department of the Navy, a major defense spender. 6. The contractor, CSA Global LLC, has secured this significant award.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28.6 million over approximately 3.5 years for engineering services is within a reasonable range for large-scale defense support contracts. Benchmarking against similar contracts for watchstander support or specialized engineering services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, contributing to predictable spending.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 6 bidders suggests a competitive environment, which typically leads to better pricing and service offerings for the government. This level of competition is ideal for ensuring the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and encouraging innovation among contractors vying for the award.

Public Impact

Naval operations benefit from enhanced watchstander support, crucial for readiness. Engineering services provided likely contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of naval platforms. The contract supports specialized technical expertise within the defense sector. Geographic impact is likely concentrated around naval bases or operational areas. Workforce implications include employment for engineers and technical specialists.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for contractor lock-in due to long-term nature and specialized services.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical watchstander support could pose a risk if performance degrades.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contractor, CSA Global LLC, has secured a significant contract, suggesting capability and past performance.
The contract duration implies a sustained need for these services, indicating strategic importance.

Sector Analysis

Engineering services are a vital component of the defense sector, encompassing a wide range of technical support, design, and consulting. The market for these services within the federal government is substantial, driven by complex technological requirements and the need for specialized expertise. This contract for watchstander support fits within the broader category of professional services supporting military operations, where competition is often robust for well-defined requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor is CSA Global LLC. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was encouraged or mandated through subcontracting goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, which incentivizes the contractor to meet performance standards within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Naval Command and Control Systems
Defense Engineering Support Services
Military Operations Support
Information Technology Support Services

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of obsolescence or changing requirements.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical support functions.
Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed, despite FFP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.6 million to CSA GLOBAL LLC. CNIC ROC WATCH STANDER SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CSA GLOBAL LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-08-09. End: 2011-01-15.

What is the historical spending pattern for watchstander support services by the Department of the Navy?

Analyzing historical spending for watchstander support by the Department of the Navy requires access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. While this specific contract awarded $28.6 million, understanding the broader trend involves examining previous awards for similar services, including contract values, durations, and the number of competitors. Trends might indicate increasing or decreasing reliance on external contractors, shifts in technology requirements, or changes in the competitive landscape. Without access to a comprehensive historical database, it's challenging to provide precise figures, but such analysis is crucial for forecasting future needs and budgeting effectively.

How does CSA Global LLC's performance on this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar engineering services?

Assessing CSA Global LLC's performance requires access to contract performance reports, quality assurance reviews, and potentially past performance evaluations. Benchmarking against industry standards for engineering services involves comparing metrics such as on-time delivery, adherence to technical specifications, cost control (especially relevant for fixed-price contracts), and customer satisfaction. Given this is a firm fixed-price contract, meeting all technical requirements within the agreed budget is a primary performance indicator. A detailed comparison would necessitate reviewing specific deliverables and any associated performance metrics documented within the contract or its modifications.

What are the key risks associated with this firm fixed-price contract for engineering services?

The primary risk with a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract, while beneficial for cost control, is that the contractor may face financial strain if unforeseen technical challenges or scope creep occur, potentially leading to performance issues or requests for contract modifications. For engineering services like watchstander support, risks could include the contractor underestimating the complexity of the systems, difficulty in recruiting or retaining qualified personnel, or changes in government requirements that necessitate significant rework. The government's risk is primarily related to potential contractor underperformance if the FFP structure incentivizes cutting corners on quality to maintain profitability.

What is the estimated value of the market for specialized engineering services supporting naval operations?

The market for specialized engineering services supporting naval operations is substantial, driven by the complexity and technological sophistication of modern naval platforms and systems. While a precise market size figure is difficult to ascertain without specific market research reports, it encompasses a wide array of services including systems engineering, software development, cybersecurity, logistics support, and technical consulting. Given the Department of Defense's overall budget, the portion allocated to specialized engineering services for the Navy alone likely runs into billions of dollars annually, supporting everything from ship design and maintenance to advanced combat systems and communication networks.

How has the number of bidders for similar Navy engineering contracts evolved over time?

The evolution of the number of bidders for similar Navy engineering contracts can provide insights into market dynamics, contractor availability, and the attractiveness of government contracting opportunities. An increasing number of bidders might suggest a growing pool of qualified contractors or increased competition for defense work. Conversely, a decreasing number could indicate market consolidation, higher barriers to entry, or a reduced number of firms possessing the necessary specialized skills. Analyzing this trend requires tracking bid counts on comparable contracts over several years to identify patterns and potential causes.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N0002407R3376

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 635 SLATERS LANE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 08

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $112,192,444

Exercised Options: $46,998,264

Current Obligation: $28,606,765

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017805D4232

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline