DoD's $39.6M Z-BACSCATTER VAN Contract Awarded to American Science & Engineering Inc. in 2008
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $39,557,724 ($39.6M)
Contractor: American Science & Engineering Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2008-12-31
End Date: 2009-10-15
Contract Duration: 288 days
Daily Burn Rate: $137.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: Z-BACSCATTER VAN (ZBV) MILITARY TRAILER
Place of Performance
Location: BILLERICA, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01821
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $39.6 million to AMERICAN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING INC for work described as: Z-BACSCATTER VAN (ZBV) MILITARY TRAILER Key points: 1. The contract for a military trailer was awarded in 2008 for $39.6 million. 2. American Science & Engineering Inc. was the sole contractor. 3. The contract was not competed, raising potential concerns about price discovery. 4. The sector is Defense, specifically Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The award amount of $39.6 million for a military trailer is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price was optimal or if it represents fair market value compared to similar irradiation apparatus manufacturing contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was sole-sourced, meaning it was not competed. This method limits price discovery and may lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no market pressure to offer the best price.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a nearly $40 million contract suggests potential for overpayment, impacting taxpayer funds negatively.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The long-term effectiveness and operational impact of this specific military trailer are not detailed. The contract's duration and completion date (2009) indicate it is a historical award, with current relevance limited to understanding past procurement practices.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Historical data (2008 award)
Positive Signals
- Specific equipment for military use
- Firm Fixed Price contract type
Sector Analysis
The Department of Defense frequently procures specialized equipment. Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing, while niche, is critical for certain defense applications. Benchmarks for such specialized military hardware are often difficult to establish due to unique requirements and limited market.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to American Science & Engineering Inc., a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this contract warrants scrutiny regarding the justification for not competing the award. Oversight would typically focus on ensuring the necessity and fair pricing of such non-competitive procurements.
Related Government Programs
- Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks transparency.
- Potential for inflated pricing due to no competition.
- Limited public information on justification.
- Historical award, current relevance unclear.
Tags
irradiation-apparatus-manufacturing, department-of-defense, ma, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $39.6 million to AMERICAN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING INC. Z-BACSCATTER VAN (ZBV) MILITARY TRAILER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMERICAN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $39.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-12-31. End: 2009-10-15.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, or in cases of urgent need. Further investigation into the contract file would be required to determine the exact rationale.
How does the $39.6 million cost compare to similar irradiation apparatus manufacturing contracts awarded around 2008?
Direct comparison is challenging due to the specialized nature of military irradiation apparatus and the lack of competitive bidding. Without comparable sole-source or competed contracts for similar equipment from the same period, assessing the value for money is difficult. The absence of competition inherently limits the ability to benchmark pricing effectively.
What was the operational impact or effectiveness of the Z-BACSCATTER VAN military trailer?
The provided data focuses on the procurement details and does not offer insights into the operational impact or effectiveness of the Z-BACSCATTER VAN military trailer. Information regarding its performance, deployment, and contribution to military missions would require access to operational reports or program evaluations.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: MOTOR VEHICLES, CYCLES, TRAILERS
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: 829 MIDDLESEX TPKE, BILLERICA, MA, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $39,557,724
Exercised Options: $39,557,724
Current Obligation: $39,557,724
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-12-31
Current End Date: 2009-10-15
Potential End Date: 2009-10-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2009-10-13
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