DoD Awards $22.25M for DMSMS Analysis and Resolution Support to Bowhead Mission Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,253,174 ($22.3M)

Contractor: Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-04-18

End Date: 2026-04-17

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Engineering Services

Official Description: PROCUREMENT OF DIMINISHING MANUFACTURING SOURCES AND MATERIAL SHORTAGES (DMSMS) ANALYSIS AND RESOLUTION (A&R) SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22150

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $22.3 million to BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: PROCUREMENT OF DIMINISHING MANUFACTURING SOURCES AND MATERIAL SHORTAGES (DMSMS) ANALYSIS AND RESOLUTION (A&R) SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC for critical Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) support. 2. The contract value is $22.25 million over a period of 5 years. 3. This procurement addresses potential risks to weapon system sustainment due to parts obsolescence. 4. The sector is Engineering Services, crucial for maintaining defense readiness.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $22.25 million over five years appears reasonable for specialized engineering services focused on DMSMS. Benchmarking against similar complex engineering support contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a limited competition. This method may impact price discovery compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to ensure the continued availability of critical components for defense systems, mitigating long-term sustainment costs and potential readiness impacts.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational readiness of Air Force systems by addressing component obsolescence. Supports the defense industrial base by identifying and resolving supply chain vulnerabilities. Mitigates risks of costly redesigns or system downtime due to unavailable parts. Provides specialized expertise in navigating complex manufacturing and supply chain challenges.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may not yield the best possible price.
Potential for sole-source extensions if DMSMS issues are complex.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical sustainment analysis.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical defense sustainment need.
Long-term contract provides stability for critical support.
Focus on proactive obsolescence management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically addressing Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS). Spending in this area is vital for maintaining the longevity and operational effectiveness of complex defense systems, often involving significant R&D and specialized manufacturing expertise.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded to Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC, and does not specify any small business participation. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Air Force is the awarding agency, with the Department of Defense overseeing. Standard procurement oversight processes should apply, focusing on contract performance and adherence to DMSMS resolution strategies.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Risk of component obsolescence impacting system readiness.
Potential supply chain disruptions for critical parts.
Need for specialized engineering expertise in DMSMS.
Challenges in finding suitable alternative components or redesigns.
Cost overruns if mitigation strategies are not cost-effective.
Dependency on contractor's analytical capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $22.3 million to BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC. PROCUREMENT OF DIMINISHING MANUFACTURING SOURCES AND MATERIAL SHORTAGES (DMSMS) ANALYSIS AND RESOLUTION (A&R) SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC.

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 $22.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-04-18. End: 2026-04-17.

What is the specific methodology used by Bowhead Mission Solutions to identify and resolve DMSMS issues, and how does it compare to industry best practices?

The contract likely requires Bowhead Mission Solutions to employ a range of methodologies, including proactive obsolescence monitoring, risk assessment of critical components, and development of mitigation strategies such as redesign, alternative sourcing, or stockpiling. A comparison to industry best practices would involve evaluating their approach against established standards like SAE EIA-649-1 and assessing the effectiveness of their data analytics and supply chain management tools.

What are the potential long-term cost implications if DMSMS issues are not effectively managed under this contract?

Ineffective DMSMS management can lead to significant long-term costs. These include the expense of emergency redesigns, procurement of expensive last-time buys, extended system downtime impacting operational readiness, and potentially the premature retirement of otherwise functional systems. Proactive resolution, as intended by this contract, aims to mitigate these escalating costs.

How will the success of Bowhead Mission Solutions' DMSMS A&R support be measured and evaluated throughout the contract period?

Success will likely be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to the identification of obsolescence risks, the successful resolution of DMSMS issues for critical components, the timeliness of mitigation actions, and the overall impact on system availability and sustainment costs. Regular performance reviews and technical assessments by the Air Force will ensure the contractor meets contractual obligations and delivers effective support.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: FA810921R0001

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6564 LOISDALE CT STE 900, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 22150

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,586,484

Exercised Options: $22,253,174

Current Obligation: $22,253,174

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D8306

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline