Air Force awards $53.9M task order to Tecolote Research for R&D support services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $53,929,352 ($53.9M)
Contractor: Tecolote Research, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2019-02-18
End Date: 2025-01-18
Contract Duration: 2,161 days
Daily Burn Rate: $25.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS DIRECTORATE TASK ORDER FOR ACQUISITION, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: GOLETA, SANTA BARBARA County, CALIFORNIA, 93117
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $53.9 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS DIRECTORATE TASK ORDER FOR ACQUISITION, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract provides strategic communication and administrative support for remote sensing systems. 2. The contract duration spans over two years, indicating a need for sustained support. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. The task order was awarded under full and open competition. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541712 points to R&D in physical sciences. 6. The contract value is significant within the R&D support services sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $53.9 million over approximately two years for R&D support services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar contracts for strategic communication and administrative support in the defense sector would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps manage cost predictability. However, without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This task order was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of six bidders (no) suggests a competitive environment. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more cost-effective solution and encouraged innovation among bidders to secure the contract.
Public Impact
The Department of the Air Force benefits from specialized support for its remote sensing systems. Services include strategic communication and administrative functions crucial for program management. The contract supports research and development activities, potentially leading to advancements in sensing technologies. The primary beneficiaries are the Air Force's R&D initiatives and the personnel involved in remote sensing programs. The geographic impact is likely concentrated around the Air Force facilities where these services are rendered, with potential for remote work arrangements.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if administrative support requirements are not clearly defined.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical support functions could pose a risk if performance falters.
- Ensuring continued alignment with evolving strategic communication needs of the Air Force.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
- Long-term contract duration allows for stable support and knowledge retention.
- Award to an established research support company like Tecolote Research, Inc.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically related to advanced sensing technologies. The market for R&D support services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. This contract represents a significant investment by the Air Force in maintaining and advancing its capabilities in remote sensing, a critical area for national security and scientific advancement. Comparable spending in this niche often involves substantial investments in specialized personnel and technology.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Tecolote Research, Inc., and there is no indication of a small business set-aside (sb: false). This suggests that the primary award was not specifically targeted at small businesses. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities to fulfill specific aspects of the contract, which would need to be monitored to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this task order would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Air Force's Remote Sensing Systems Directorate. Performance monitoring, adherence to contract terms, and quality assurance are key oversight functions. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Research and Development Contracts
- Air Force Information Technology and Support Services
- Remote Sensing Technology Development
- Strategic Communication Services
- Administrative Support Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for performance issues if contractor's specialized expertise is not fully leveraged.
- Risk of misalignment with evolving strategic communication needs over the contract period.
- Dependency on contractor for critical administrative and support functions.
Tags
research-and-development, department-of-defense, air-force, remote-sensing, strategic-communication, administrative-support, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, california, it-support, professional-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $53.9 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC.. REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS DIRECTORATE TASK ORDER FOR ACQUISITION, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TECOLOTE RESEARCH, 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 $53.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-02-18. End: 2025-01-18.
What is the track record of Tecolote Research, Inc. in performing similar R&D support services for the Department of Defense?
Tecolote Research, Inc. has a history of supporting government research and development efforts, particularly within the aerospace and defense sectors. Their expertise often lies in areas such as systems engineering, program management, and technical analysis. For the Department of Defense, they have previously been awarded contracts related to advanced technology development, test and evaluation support, and acquisition assistance. A detailed review of their past performance on similar contracts, including customer satisfaction ratings and any documented performance issues, would be necessary to fully assess their suitability for this specific task order. Their experience in strategic communication and administrative support, while perhaps less prominent than their technical R&D contributions, is often a component of broader support contracts.
How does the awarded amount of $53.9 million compare to similar R&D support contracts for remote sensing systems?
The $53.9 million award for approximately two years of R&D support services for remote sensing systems appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized government contracts of this nature. Contracts supporting advanced technological areas like remote sensing often require highly skilled personnel and significant programmatic oversight, driving up costs. Benchmarking against similar task orders awarded by the Air Force or other DoD components for strategic communication and administrative support within R&D contexts would provide a more precise comparison. Factors such as the specific deliverables, the level of expertise required, and the duration of the contract significantly influence the total value. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents exceptional value, but it does not appear to be an outlier.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Primary risks associated with this contract include potential scope creep in administrative and communication support, ensuring the contractor's continued alignment with evolving Air Force strategic needs, and maintaining consistent performance over the contract's duration. Mitigation strategies likely involve clearly defined performance work statements (PWS), regular performance reviews between the government and Tecolote Research, Inc., and robust contract management by the COR. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, shifting some of that risk to the contractor. Proactive communication and a strong working relationship between the government and the contractor are crucial for addressing potential issues before they escalate.
How effective is the competitive process in ensuring value for money for this specific R&D support contract?
The competitive process, described as 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' with six bidders, is generally effective in ensuring value for money. This approach allows multiple qualified vendors to propose solutions, fostering price competition and encouraging innovation. The government can select the offer that provides the best combination of technical merit and cost. The presence of six bidders suggests a healthy market and reduces the likelihood of a contractor dictating terms. However, the effectiveness also depends on the clarity of the solicitation requirements and the government's ability to accurately evaluate the proposals against defined criteria to ensure the lowest price isn't chosen at the expense of critical performance aspects.
What are the historical spending patterns for similar R&D support services within the Air Force or DoD?
Historical spending patterns for R&D support services within the Air Force and DoD show a consistent and significant investment in specialized technical, administrative, and strategic support. These contracts often span multiple years and can range from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the complexity and criticality of the R&D program. Spending in areas like remote sensing, advanced materials, and aerospace technologies is particularly robust. The trend has been towards procuring specialized support services to augment organic government capabilities, allowing agencies to focus on core mission functions. The use of firm-fixed-price contracts for well-defined services is common, aiming for cost predictability.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 420 S FAIRVIEW AVE STE 201, GOLETA, CA, 93117
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $87,651,033
Exercised Options: $54,397,797
Current Obligation: $53,929,352
Actual Outlays: $2,282,148
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 335
Total Subaward Amount: $642,834,807
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS619
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-02-18
Current End Date: 2025-01-18
Potential End Date: 2025-01-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-01-17
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