DoD's $89M 'BIG SAFARI' Contract Awarded to Sierra Nevada Company, LLC for Technical Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $89,015,943 ($89.0M)
Contractor: Sierra Nevada Company, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-07-30
End Date: 2022-08-31
Contract Duration: 1,493 days
Daily Burn Rate: $59.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF ACAT III BIG SAFARI
Place of Performance
Location: ENGLEWOOD, DENVER County, COLORADO, 80112
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $89.0 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF ACAT III BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition. 2. Significant value of $89 million over a 4-year period. 3. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 4. Potential for cost overruns given the 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' contract type.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, combined with a lack of competition, suggests potential for pricing inefficiencies. Benchmarking against similar 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition likely means taxpayers are not receiving the best possible price for these services.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding. Limited transparency into the specific services provided under this large contract. Potential impact on innovation if alternative solutions were not considered.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus contract type
- Lack of transparency on specific services
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a known entity in the aerospace sector
Sector Analysis
The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector is broad and can encompass a wide range of specialized support. Spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the specific nature of the 'BIG SAFARI' program.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. The sole-source nature further limits opportunities for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'BIG SAFARI' program suggests a specific initiative, but the lack of competition and limited public detail raise questions about the level of oversight and accountability applied to this significant expenditure.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost overruns (Cost Plus Fixed Fee)
- Limited transparency into services and program goals
- No apparent small business participation
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, co, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $89.0 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC. IGF::CT::IGF ACAT III BIG SAFARI
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, 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 $89.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-07-30. End: 2022-08-31.
What specific technical services are included under the 'BIG SAFARI' program, and how do they align with the Air Force's mission requirements?
The 'BIG SAFARI' program likely refers to a classified or highly specialized initiative within the Air Force, focusing on rapid acquisition of critical capabilities. The specific services are not publicly detailed but fall under broad technical support, potentially including systems integration, engineering, or specialized analysis, aimed at meeting urgent operational needs.
What justification was provided for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award is not publicly available but typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. Without this information, assessing the fairness and reasonableness of the pricing is challenging, though the 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' structure implies some level of cost control was intended.
What is the long-term strategic value of the 'BIG SAFARI' program, and how does this contract contribute to achieving those objectives?
The long-term strategic value of 'BIG SAFARI' is likely tied to maintaining a technological edge or addressing specific, evolving threats. This contract's contribution hinges on the critical nature of the services provided by Sierra Nevada Company, LLC, in supporting these overarching strategic goals, though the exact impact remains obscured by the program's limited public disclosure.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 444 SALOMON CIR, SPARKS, NV, 89434
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $90,472,443
Exercised Options: $90,472,443
Current Obligation: $89,015,943
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 43
Total Subaward Amount: $48,121,326
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA862016G3013
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-07-30
Current End Date: 2022-08-31
Potential End Date: 2022-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-05-17
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