Army National Guard XCTC Exercise Support Contract Awarded to SRI International for $30.6 Million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,660,262 ($30.7M)

Contractor: SRI International

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2009-07-10

End Date: 2010-07-09

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $84.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SERVICES AND SUPPLIES IN SUPPORT OF XCTC EXERCISES FOR ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Place of Performance

Location: GRAYLING, CRAWFORD County, MICHIGAN, 49739

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $30.7 million to SRI INTERNATIONAL for work described as: SERVICES AND SUPPLIES IN SUPPORT OF XCTC EXERCISES FOR ARMY NATIONAL GUARD Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in supporting critical Army National Guard training exercises. 2. The fixed-price nature of the contract aims to control costs and provide predictable spending. 3. Competition dynamics for this specific delivery order are not detailed, but the overall contract type suggests a competitive environment. 4. Performance period of one year indicates a focused scope for the services provided. 5. The 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code suggests a reliance on technology and IT support for the exercises. 6. The contract was awarded as a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, implying pre-negotiated terms and conditions.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without knowing the broader contract it falls under or comparable exercise support costs. The fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control. However, the relatively short performance period and the specific nature of the services make direct comparisons difficult. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of 'XCTC Exercises' and the specific 'Other Computer Related Services' provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The provided data indicates this was a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' suggesting it was competed. However, the specifics of the competition, such as the number of bidders or the bidding process, are not detailed in this record. As a delivery order, it likely falls under a previously competed larger contract, and the competition for that base contract would be the primary indicator of market dynamics.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award, even as a delivery order, suggests that taxpayers benefited from a process designed to solicit multiple offers and potentially achieve a better price than a sole-source award.

Public Impact

Army National Guard units benefit from enhanced support during critical XCTC (eXportable Combat Training Capability) exercises. The services provided likely contribute to the readiness and effectiveness of National Guard forces. Geographic impact is centered around the locations where XCTC exercises are conducted. Workforce implications may include specialized IT and support personnel required for exercise execution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition information for this specific delivery order.
Limited insight into the specific 'Other Computer Related Services' provided.
The 'MI' state code for Michigan might indicate a specific exercise location, but its broader implications are unclear without context.

Positive Signals

Awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating some level of market engagement.
Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage cost certainty.
The contract supports critical training exercises for the Army National Guard.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to IT and support services. The market for supporting military exercises is specialized, often involving contractors with deep understanding of military operations and technology requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within broader defense or government IT support contracts, but the specific nature of XCTC exercises makes direct comparisons difficult.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) was not a specific set-aside for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is not applicable. However, SRI International, as the prime contractor, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, the details of which are not provided here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting agency (Department of the Interior, in this case, though the services are for the Army National Guard) and potentially the Army's own oversight bodies for training exercises. Transparency is facilitated by contract databases, but detailed performance and spending oversight specific to this delivery order would be internal to the government and the contractor.

Related Government Programs

Army National Guard Training Support
Military Exercise Support Services
Information Technology Services for Government
Defense Readiness Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if exercise requirements evolve.
Reliance on a single delivery order without full competition details.
Cybersecurity risks associated with IT support services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $30.7 million to SRI INTERNATIONAL. SERVICES AND SUPPLIES IN SUPPORT OF XCTC EXERCISES FOR ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SRI INTERNATIONAL.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-07-10. End: 2010-07-09.

What is the specific nature of the 'Other Computer Related Services' provided under this contract?

The provided data classifies the services under NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services.' This broad category can encompass a wide range of IT support, including network administration, system integration, cybersecurity services, software development, and technical consulting. For the XCTC exercises, these services likely involve setting up and maintaining communication networks, providing technical support for simulation systems, managing data, and ensuring the smooth operation of IT infrastructure critical for realistic training scenarios. Without more specific contract line item details, the exact services remain generalized.

How does the $30.6 million contract value compare to similar Army National Guard training support contracts?

Direct comparison of this $30.6 million contract value to similar Army National Guard training support contracts is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of all such awards. However, the figure suggests a substantial investment in a single exercise or a series of exercises over the contract period. The 'XCTC' designation implies a significant, potentially large-scale training event. The value is plausible for specialized support services required for complex military training operations, which often involve advanced technology and logistical coordination. Further benchmarking would require identifying contracts with similar scope, duration, and service types within the National Guard or broader Department of Defense.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the government and the contractor?

For the government, primary risks include potential cost overruns if the fixed-price contract does not adequately account for unforeseen complexities, performance failures that could disrupt critical training exercises, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities if the 'Other Computer Related Services' are not robustly managed. For the contractor, SRI International, risks include underestimating the scope or complexity of the services required, technical challenges in delivering the IT support, and meeting stringent performance standards under tight deadlines. Failure to meet these could lead to contract disputes or reputational damage.

What is the historical spending pattern for XCTC exercise support by the Army National Guard?

The provided data only details a single contract award from 2009-2010. To understand historical spending patterns for XCTC exercise support, a broader analysis of contract awards over multiple fiscal years would be necessary. This would involve querying federal procurement databases for contracts related to 'XCTC,' 'eXportable Combat Training Capability,' and relevant service codes (like 541519) awarded to various entities supporting the Army National Guard. Such an analysis would reveal trends in spending, identify key contractors, and indicate the frequency and scale of these exercises over time.

What is the track record of SRI International in providing similar services to the Department of Defense?

SRI International is a well-established research institute and technology development company with a long history of supporting government agencies, including the Department of Defense. They have a broad portfolio of work spanning R&D, advanced technology development, and program support across various domains. While this specific contract is for 'Other Computer Related Services' for XCTC exercises, SRI's general capabilities in technology, engineering, and project management suggest they possess the foundational expertise to undertake such a task. A detailed assessment would require reviewing their specific past performance records on similar defense contracts, focusing on IT support, simulation, and exercise-related services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 333 RAVENSWOOD AVE, MENLO PARK, CA, 94025

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,660,262

Exercised Options: $30,660,262

Current Obligation: $30,660,262

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F5537H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline