DoD Awards $44.2M HSI Contract to Sonalysts Inc. via Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,239,511 ($44.2M)

Contractor: Sonalysts Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-12-19

End Date: 2024-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,869 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Engineering Services

Official Description: HUMAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION (HSI) FOR V DEPARTMENT

Place of Performance

Location: KING GEORGE, KING GEORGE County, VIRGINIA, 22485

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $44.2 million to SONALYSTS INC for work described as: HUMAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION (HSI) FOR V DEPARTMENT Key points: 1. Contract value of $44.2M for Human Systems Integration (HSI) services. 2. Awarded to Sonalysts Inc. under a full and open competition. 3. Services provided to the Department of the Navy, a key DoD agency. 4. Engineering services sector, NAICS 541330, indicates specialized technical support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. However, the award amount appears reasonable for specialized engineering services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is positive for taxpayers, as it aims to secure the best value through market forces.

Public Impact

Supports critical Department of the Navy operations through HSI. Sonalysts Inc. provides specialized engineering expertise. Contract duration of over 1800 days indicates long-term support needs. Potential for follow-on work or expansion of services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires careful monitoring to control costs.
Long contract duration could lead to scope creep if not managed effectively.

Positive Signals

Awarded via full and open competition.
Services provided to a major defense agency.
Specialized engineering services are critical for HSI.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, characterized by specialized technical expertise. Spending in this sector is crucial for defense readiness and technological advancement.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Navy is responsible for oversight. The contract's duration and cost-plus nature necessitate diligent monitoring to ensure performance and cost control.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Long contract duration (1869 days).
Potential for cost overruns if not managed closely.
Need for detailed performance metrics to ensure effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $44.2 million to SONALYSTS INC. HUMAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION (HSI) FOR V DEPARTMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SONALYSTS 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 $44.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-12-19. End: 2024-01-31.

What specific HSI activities are covered under this contract, and how do they contribute to the Navy's mission effectiveness?

Human Systems Integration (HSI) encompasses a broad range of activities aimed at optimizing the interaction between humans and systems. For the Navy, this could include areas like human factors engineering, training system development, personnel selection, and habitability design. The specific contributions would depend on the detailed scope of work, but generally, effective HSI ensures that systems are designed to be used safely, efficiently, and effectively by personnel, thereby enhancing overall mission success and reducing operational risks.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for specialized engineering services like HSI?

The primary risk with CPFF contracts is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts, as costs are reimbursed. While a fixed fee provides some incentive, the government bears the risk of cost overruns. For specialized engineering services, risks also include potential scope creep, difficulty in accurately defining requirements upfront, and ensuring the contractor possesses the necessary unique expertise throughout the contract duration.

How does the competitive landscape for HSI engineering services influence the value and effectiveness of this contract?

The fact that this contract was awarded under full and open competition suggests a healthy competitive landscape for HSI engineering services. This competition likely drove down prices and encouraged Sonalysts Inc. to offer a strong value proposition. A competitive environment generally leads to better quality services and innovation, as contractors strive to differentiate themselves. However, the long-term nature of the contract means ongoing monitoring is crucial to ensure continued effectiveness and value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N0017818R3007

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 215 PARKWAY NORTH, WATERFORD, CT, 06385

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $50,248,529

Exercised Options: $47,929,230

Current Obligation: $44,239,511

Actual Outlays: $5,164,090

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 12

Total Subaward Amount: $4,871,387

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017804D4126

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline