BIG SAFARI contract awarded to SRC INC for $20.9M by the Department of the Air Force
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,902,175 ($20.9M)
Contractor: SRC Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-04-01
End Date: 2026-03-31
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $57.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: BIG SAFARI
Place of Performance
Location: SYRACUSE, ONONDAGA County, NEW YORK, 13212
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $20.9 million to SRC INC for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in specialized technical services. 2. Sole-source award suggests limited market availability or unique contractor capabilities. 3. Contract duration of one year with a firm-fixed-price structure indicates predictable costs. 4. Performance period aligns with the upcoming fiscal year, suggesting immediate operational needs. 5. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code covers a broad range of potential activities. 6. Geographic location of New York may indicate a specific operational or research hub.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
Benchmarking the value of this $20.9 million contract is challenging without specific service details. As a sole-source award, direct price comparisons to similar contracts are difficult. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the absence of competition raises questions about whether the government secured the best possible price. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and market rates for these 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical 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 among multiple vendors. This typically occurs when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or is the only source capable of meeting the requirement. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to drive down prices and ensure the most innovative solutions are considered.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best value due to the absence of competitive bidding, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple offers had been evaluated.
Public Impact
The Department of the Air Force is the primary beneficiary, receiving specialized technical services. The contract supports unspecified professional, scientific, and technical services crucial for Air Force operations. The geographic impact is centered in New York, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications are likely within SRC INC, potentially involving specialized technical personnel.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
- Lack of detailed service description hinders value assessment.
- Potential for cost overruns if market rates for specialized services are higher than anticipated.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- One-year duration allows for flexibility and reassessment of needs.
- Award to SRC INC suggests a recognized capability in the required service area.
Sector Analysis
The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category (NAICS 541990) is broad and encompasses a wide array of specialized support functions. This contract likely falls within the defense sector's need for advanced technical expertise that may not fit into more defined categories like engineering or IT. The market for such services can be niche, with a few key players possessing the necessary clearances, expertise, or proprietary technology. Benchmarking spending in this specific sub-sector is difficult due to its heterogeneity, but overall federal spending on professional and technical services is substantial.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. The sole-source nature of the award further suggests that opportunities for small businesses to participate as prime contractors or through subcontracting may be limited unless specifically incorporated by the prime contractor, SRC INC.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of the Air Force contracting officers and program managers. As a firm-fixed-price contract, the focus will be on ensuring deliverables meet the specified requirements. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and lack of public detail on the specific services. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Research and Development
- Air Force Technical Support Services
- Professional and Technical Services Contracts
- Sole Source Procurements
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of detailed service description
- Potential for non-competitive pricing
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-air-force, sole-source, professional-scientific-technical-services, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, new-york, large-contract, technical-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $20.9 million to SRC INC. BIG SAFARI
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SRC INC.
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 $20.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-04-01. End: 2026-03-31.
What specific services are encompassed by 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' for the BIG SAFARI contract?
The NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is a broad category that includes establishments primarily engaged in providing a wide range of professional, scientific, and technical services not elsewhere classified. This can encompass activities such as research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences; technical testing and analysis; and other specialized professional, scientific, and technical consulting. For the BIG SAFARI contract, the specific services would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). Without access to the SOW, it's impossible to determine the precise nature of the support provided by SRC INC, but it likely involves highly specialized expertise critical to Air Force operations that doesn't fit into more defined service categories.
What is the track record of SRC INC with the Department of Defense and specifically the Air Force?
SRC INC has a history of contracting with the Department of Defense, including the Air Force. While specific details of past performance on contracts similar to BIG SAFARI are not provided in the given data, their continued awards suggest a level of capability and reliability recognized by the agency. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases would reveal the scope and success of their previous engagements, including contract values, performance ratings, and any past issues. Understanding their historical performance is crucial for assessing the risk associated with this current sole-source award.
How does the $20.9 million value compare to similar sole-source contracts for technical services within the DoD?
Comparing the $20.9 million value of the BIG SAFARI contract to similar sole-source contracts for technical services within the DoD is challenging without more specific information on the services rendered. Sole-source contracts are inherently difficult to benchmark due to the unique circumstances of their award. However, $20.9 million is a substantial sum, indicating a significant scope of work or highly specialized, high-cost services. Generally, sole-source awards for complex technical or R&D services can range from a few million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the agency's needs and the contractor's unique qualifications. The absence of competition means this value is less likely to be driven by market competition and more by the contractor's assessed costs and required profit margin.
What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude?
The primary risks associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude ($20.9 million) include potential lack of price competition, which could lead to the government paying more than necessary. There's also a risk of reduced innovation, as the absence of multiple bidders means fewer alternative approaches or technologies are considered. Furthermore, reliance on a single source can create vulnerabilities if the contractor faces performance issues, financial instability, or fails to deliver as expected, potentially disrupting critical Air Force operations. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance metrics becomes even more critical in sole-source situations to mitigate these risks.
What historical spending patterns exist for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' by the Department of the Air Force?
Historical spending patterns for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990) by the Department of the Air Force are likely to show consistent investment in specialized support functions. While the exact figures fluctuate annually based on evolving mission requirements and budget allocations, agencies like the Air Force frequently procure services under this broad category to address unique technical challenges, conduct specialized research, or obtain expert analysis not covered by more specific service contracts. Analyzing past spending would reveal trends in the types of services procured, the average contract values, and the primary contractors utilized, providing context for the current BIG SAFARI award.
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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7502 ROUND POND RD, SYRACUSE, NY, 13212
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,937,891
Exercised Options: $20,937,891
Current Obligation: $20,902,175
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA862023G4032
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-04-01
Current End Date: 2026-03-31
Potential End Date: 2026-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-07
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