Department of Defense contract for testing services awarded to The Bionetics Corporation for over $13.5 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,540,298 ($13.5M)

Contractor: THE Bionetics Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2002-10-01

End Date: 2008-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,008 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 200301!000080!5700!QA27 !AMC/CONF/LGC !FA445202C0003 !A!N! !Y!P00001 !20021001!20030930!062363619!062363619!062363619!N!THE BIONETICS CORPORATION !11833 CANON BLVD , SUITE 1!NEWPORT NEWS !VA!23606!56000!700!51!NEWPORT NEWS !NEWPORT NEWS (CITY) !VIRGINIA !+000002266632!N!N!000000000000!J099!MAINT & REPAIR OF EQ/MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT !S1 !SERVICES !3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541380!E! !3! ! !C! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !A!N!J!2!007!B! !C!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!C!A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: SCOTT AFB, ST. CLAIR County, ILLINOIS, 62225

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $13.5 million to THE BIONETICS CORP for work described as: 200301!000080!5700!QA27 !AMC/CONF/LGC !FA445202C0003 !A!N! !Y!P00001 !20021001!20030930!062363619!062363619!062363619!N!THE BIONETICS CORPORATION !11833 CANON BLVD , SUITE 1!NEWPORT NEWS !VA!23606!56000!700!51!NEWPORT NEWS !NEWPO… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for testing laboratories and services, indicating a need for specialized scientific support. 2. The contract was competed on a full and open basis, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The duration of the contract spans over six years, from 2002 to 2008. 4. The awarded amount of $13.5 million represents a significant investment in testing and evaluation capabilities. 5. The contractor, The Bionetics Corporation, has a track record with this type of service. 6. The contract falls under the 'Testing Laboratories and Services' NAICS code, a common area for federal procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The awarded amount of $13.5 million over six years averages to approximately $2.25 million per year. Without specific benchmarks for similar testing services contracts within the Department of Defense or across the federal government, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the total cost, but it does not inherently guarantee the best possible price.

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. The presence of 7 bids suggests a reasonable level of competition for this service. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at a competitive market rate, preventing potential overpayment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense and its various branches, which receive essential testing and laboratory services. The services delivered are crucial for ensuring the quality, reliability, and safety of equipment and materials. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting federal operations. The contract supports specialized technical and scientific workforce roles within The Bionetics Corporation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the fixed-price contract does not adequately account for all unforeseen technical challenges.
Reliance on a single contractor for a significant period could lead to complacency or reduced innovation over time.
The specific nature of 'miscellaneous equipment' testing might be broad, raising questions about the precise scope and potential for scope creep.

Positive Signals

The full and open competition process suggests a robust market for these services, indicating a healthy ecosystem.
The fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government, simplifying budget management.
The award to an established entity like The Bionetics Corporation suggests a level of confidence in their capabilities and past performance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on testing laboratories. This sector is vital for government operations, supporting everything from defense procurement to scientific research. Federal spending in this area is often driven by the need for specialized expertise and equipment that government agencies may not possess in-house. Comparable spending benchmarks would require detailed analysis of other testing services contracts within the DoD and other agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention 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 may be limited unless The Bionetics Corporation actively engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development
Military Equipment Testing and Evaluation
Federal Scientific and Technical Services
Government Laboratory Services
Defense Contract Management

Risk Flags

Contract duration exceeds 5 years.
Potential for scope creep in 'miscellaneous equipment' testing.
Limited public information on specific performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $13.5 million to THE BIONETICS CORP. 200301!000080!5700!QA27 !AMC/CONF/LGC !FA445202C0003 !A!N! !Y!P00001 !20021001!20030930!062363619!062363619!062363619!N!THE BIONETICS CORPORATION !11833 CANON BLVD , SUITE 1!NEWPORT NEWS !VA!23606!56000!700!51!NEWPORT NEWS !NEWPORT NEWS (CITY) !VIRGINIA !+000002266632!N!N!000000000000!J099!MAINT & REPAIR OF EQ/MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT !S1 !SERVICES !3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541380!E! !3! ! !C! ! !99990909!B

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BIONETICS CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2002-10-01. End: 2008-03-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for The Bionetics Corporation with the Department of Defense for similar testing services?

Analyzing historical spending for The Bionetics Corporation with the Department of Defense reveals a pattern of consistent engagement in providing scientific and technical services. Prior to and following this specific $13.5 million contract (FA445202C0003), the company has secured various other awards, often in the realm of laboratory testing, research support, and specialized technical services. These contracts vary in value and duration, reflecting the diverse needs of different military branches and agencies. A comprehensive review of federal procurement data would be necessary to quantify the total historical spend and identify trends in contract types and service areas. This historical context is crucial for understanding the contractor's established relationship with the DoD and their capacity to fulfill large-scale requirements.

How does the per-unit cost or average annual cost of this contract compare to similar testing services procured by the DoD?

Benchmarking the average annual cost of this contract, approximately $2.25 million ($13.5 million / 6 years), against similar testing services procured by the Department of Defense is challenging without access to detailed, comparable contract data. The specific nature of 'Maintenance & Repair of Equipment/Miscellaneous Equipment' and 'Testing Laboratories and Services' can vary significantly in scope, complexity, and required expertise. Factors such as the type of equipment tested, the criticality of the tests, the required certifications, and the geographic location of services all influence pricing. Generally, specialized technical services with high barriers to entry command higher prices. A thorough benchmark would require identifying contracts with identical or highly similar Product Service Codes (PSCs) and NAICS codes, awarded within a similar timeframe, and analyzing their total value, duration, and the specific services rendered.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract, and how was performance measured?

The provided data snippet does not explicitly detail the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract (FA445202C0003). However, for a contract of this nature, typical KPIs would likely revolve around the timeliness of test results, accuracy and reliability of testing procedures, adherence to specific technical standards (e.g., ISO, MIL-STD), equipment calibration and maintenance, and reporting quality. Performance measurement would likely involve regular progress reports from The Bionetics Corporation, potential site visits by government representatives, and formal reviews at key contract milestones. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring performance against the contract's requirements and ensuring that the services meet the government's needs. Failure to meet these unstated KPIs could lead to contract remedies.

What is the risk profile of The Bionetics Corporation as a contractor for this type of service, based on past performance and financial stability?

Assessing the risk profile of The Bionetics Corporation requires a deeper dive into their past performance records, financial health, and any history of contract disputes or performance issues. The fact that they were awarded a significant six-year contract suggests a generally positive assessment by the Department of the Air Force at the time of award. However, without access to contractor performance evaluation reports (CPARS) or Dun & Bradstreet (Dunn & Bradstreet) financial assessments, a definitive risk analysis is limited. Factors that would contribute to a low-risk profile include a history of on-time, within-budget delivery, positive customer feedback, and strong financial stability. Conversely, any history of significant contract failures, quality issues, or financial instability would elevate the risk profile. The 'st' (Illinois) and 'sn' (Illinois) indicators might suggest a primary place of performance or business location, which could be relevant for logistical or oversight considerations.

How does the $13.5 million total contract value compare to the overall federal spending on 'Testing Laboratories and Services' (NAICS 541380) during the contract period (2002-2008)?

The $13.5 million awarded to The Bionetics Corporation represents a specific instance of federal spending within the 'Testing Laboratories and Services' sector (NAICS 541380) during the 2002-2008 period. To contextualize this amount, one would need to examine the total federal outlays for this NAICS code across all agencies during those years. Federal spending on testing services is substantial, driven by defense, research, regulatory compliance, and infrastructure needs. While $13.5 million is a significant sum for a single contract, it is likely a fraction of the total federal expenditure in this broad category. For instance, the Department of Defense alone procures a vast array of testing services for everything from weapons systems to materials science. Understanding the broader spending landscape would reveal whether this contract was a major investment or a routine procurement within the larger federal context.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Address: 11833 CANON BLVD , SUITE 1, NEWPORT NEWS, VA, 03

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline