Air Force awards $114M contract for logistics analysis support to Bowhead Mission Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,429,724 ($11.4M)

Contractor: Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-01-21

End Date: 2027-01-20

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: FORECASTING, SUPPORTABILITY, LOGISTICS ANALYSIS, AND INVENTORY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS ASSISTANCE.

Place of Performance

Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA County, OKLAHOMA, 73145

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $11.4 million to BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: FORECASTING, SUPPORTABILITY, LOGISTICS ANALYSIS, AND INVENTORY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS ASSISTANCE. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential forecasting, supportability, logistics analysis, and inventory research. 2. Awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competitive pricing. 3. Long-term contract duration (4 years) suggests a need for sustained services. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs, but competition is key. 5. Services are critical for maintaining Air Force readiness and operational efficiency. 6. The contract is a definitive contract, indicating a clear scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $114.3 million over four years averages to approximately $28.6 million annually. Without specific benchmarks for similar logistics analysis support contracts within the Department of Defense, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an attempt to control costs, but the lack of competition means there is no direct market comparison to gauge pricing effectiveness. Further analysis would require benchmarking against industry standards for comparable services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This approach is typically used when only one vendor possesses the unique capabilities or qualifications required for the service, or in situations where urgency or specific circumstances preclude a competitive process. The lack of competition limits the opportunity for price discovery and potentially higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A sole-source award means taxpayers did not benefit from the potential cost savings that can arise from a competitive bidding process, where multiple vendors vie for the contract.

Public Impact

The Department of the Air Force benefits from specialized expertise in logistics and inventory management. Services will support forecasting, supportability, and research critical for Air Force operations. Geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting Air Force installations and operations. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of personnel by Bowhead Mission Solutions for these specialized tasks.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source award limits transparency in pricing and service delivery benchmarks.
Long-term nature of the contract could reduce flexibility if needs change.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Specialized nature of services suggests a critical need for specific expertise.
Award to an established entity may indicate a track record of performance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to defense logistics and support. The market for defense logistics analysis is substantial, driven by the complex needs of military branches to maintain readiness and optimize supply chains. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to ascertain without more specific service details, but the overall defense logistics market represents billions of dollars annually. This contract represents a focused investment in specialized analytical capabilities for the Air Force.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false) and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses (sb: false). Therefore, this award does not directly benefit the small business ecosystem through set-asides or mandated subcontracting. The focus appears to be on securing specialized services from a prime contractor without specific small business participation requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program management office within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Logistics Agency Support Contracts
Air Force Readiness and Sustainment Programs
Military Inventory Management Services
Aerospace Engineering Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competition
Potential for inflated pricing without competitive bidding
Limited transparency in cost structure
Dependence on a single contractor for critical services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.4 million to BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC. FORECASTING, SUPPORTABILITY, LOGISTICS ANALYSIS, AND INVENTORY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS ASSISTANCE.

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 $11.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-01-21. End: 2027-01-20.

What is Bowhead Mission Solutions' track record with the Department of Defense for similar services?

Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC has a history of performing contracts with the Department of Defense, including services related to logistics, engineering, and mission support. While specific details on past performance for identical 'forecasting, supportability, logistics analysis, and inventory research and analysis assistance' are not provided in this summary, their presence as a sole-source awardee suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and potentially a prior relationship or demonstrated capability relevant to the Air Force's needs. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance reviews, and any awards or penalties would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and expertise in delivering these critical services.

How does the $114.3 million contract value compare to similar logistics analysis support contracts awarded by the Air Force or DoD?

Benchmarking this $114.3 million contract against similar logistics analysis support contracts is challenging without more granular data on the scope, duration, and specific services rendered in comparable awards. The average annual value of this contract is approximately $28.6 million. The sole-source nature of this award further complicates direct comparison, as competitive bids often drive pricing down. To perform a robust comparison, one would need to identify other definitive contracts for forecasting, supportability, and inventory research within the DoD, analyze their total values, annual expenditures, and the number of bidders involved. This would help determine if the pricing for Bowhead Mission Solutions is within a reasonable market range, considering the lack of competition.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical logistics analysis support?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical logistics analysis support include potential overpricing due to the absence of competitive pressure, reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or improve efficiency beyond contractual minimums, and a lack of transparency in the pricing structure. Taxpayers may bear a higher cost than if the contract had been competed. Furthermore, if the sole-source contractor encounters performance issues or financial instability, the government has limited alternative options for immediate service continuity without initiating a new, potentially lengthy, sole-source justification process or a full competitive procurement. This dependence on a single provider can also create strategic vulnerabilities.

How effective is the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type in managing costs for these types of analytical services?

The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in managing costs for analytical services by shifting the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. This means the government pays a set price regardless of the contractor's actual costs, incentivizing the contractor to manage their resources efficiently. For services like logistics analysis, where the scope of work can be clearly defined, FFP provides budget certainty. However, the effectiveness is diminished in a sole-source environment, as the 'firm' price is negotiated without competitive validation. While FFP controls the final price paid, it does not guarantee that the price itself represents the best value achievable in a competitive market.

What is the historical spending pattern for logistics analysis support within the Department of the Air Force?

Historical spending patterns for logistics analysis support within the Department of the Air Force are likely substantial, given the complexity and scale of Air Force operations. While specific aggregate data for this contract category is not provided, the Air Force consistently invests heavily in sustainment, readiness, and operational support, which inherently includes sophisticated logistics analysis. This $114.3 million award over four years suggests a continued and significant commitment to these capabilities. Analyzing past budgets and contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years would reveal trends in spending, identify key contractors, and highlight the evolving needs and priorities within Air Force logistics.

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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

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: $14,487,820

Exercised Options: $11,429,724

Current Obligation: $11,429,724

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline