DoD's $9.9M contract for Joint Education and Doctrine services awarded to Science Applications International Corporation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,896,798 ($9.9M)
Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2022-05-21
End Date: 2024-04-30
Contract Duration: 710 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: JOINT EDUCATION AND DOCTRINE
Place of Performance
Location: WILLISTON, CHITTENDEN County, VERMONT, 05495
State: Vermont Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $9.9 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: JOINT EDUCATION AND DOCTRINE Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the fixed-fee structure, but detailed cost breakdowns are needed for a definitive assessment. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market, potentially leading to competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with contract duration and cost-plus structure warranting close monitoring. 4. Performance context is limited without specific task order details, but the contractor has a significant federal presence. 5. Sector positioning is within engineering services, a common area for large defense contractors.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's total value is approximately $9.9 million over its period of performance. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, the government pays the contractor's allowable costs plus a fixed fee. While CPFF contracts can incentivize efficiency, they also carry a risk of cost overruns if not managed closely. Benchmarking this specific service against similar contracts is challenging without more granular data on the scope of 'Joint Education and Doctrine' services. However, the fixed fee component suggests an attempt to control profit margins.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of two bidders suggests a degree of competition, though the specific details of the bidding process and the nature of the competition are not fully detailed. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more robust price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and best value solutions.
Public Impact
The Department of the Navy benefits from specialized expertise in developing and refining joint education and doctrine. This contract supports the enhancement of military training and operational readiness through improved educational materials and doctrinal frameworks. The services delivered are likely to have a broad impact across various branches of the U.S. military. Workforce implications are primarily for highly skilled professionals in education, research, and defense analysis.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus contract type can lead to cost overruns if not rigorously managed.
- Limited transparency on specific task order performance metrics.
- Contract duration of over two years requires ongoing performance monitoring.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting market viability.
- Fixed fee component provides some cost predictability.
- Contractor has a substantial presence in federal contracting, indicating experience.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a broad category encompassing a wide range of technical consulting and design services. The defense sector heavily utilizes these services for research, development, systems engineering, and program management. Spending in this sector is substantial, with numerous large and small businesses competing for government contracts. This specific award contributes to the overall defense spending on knowledge management and strategic development.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is a large prime contractor, and while they may engage small businesses as subcontractors, there is no direct evidence of a small business set-aside in this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation through subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Department of the Navy contracting officers and program managers. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) nature of the contract necessitates close monitoring of incurred costs to ensure they are allowable and reasonable. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements and performance reviews. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Defense Education and Training Programs
- Military Doctrine Development
- Joint Operations Planning Support
- Engineering and Technical Services Contracts
- Department of Defense Research and Development
Risk Flags
- Cost-plus contract type requires diligent oversight of incurred costs.
- Contract duration necessitates ongoing performance monitoring.
- Scope of 'Joint Education and Doctrine' is broad and requires clear definition in task orders.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-navy, engineering-services, professional-services, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, joint-education-and-doctrine, science-applications-international-corporation, delivery-order, vermont
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $9.9 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. JOINT EDUCATION AND DOCTRINE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $9.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-05-21. End: 2024-04-30.
What is the specific breakdown of services provided under this 'Joint Education and Doctrine' contract?
The provided data does not detail the specific services encompassed by 'Joint Education and Doctrine.' This broad description likely includes activities such as curriculum development, instructional design, training material creation, policy analysis, and the formulation or refinement of joint military operational doctrines. Understanding the granular tasks is crucial for assessing performance and value. For instance, if the contract involves developing advanced simulation-based training, the required expertise and associated costs would differ significantly from developing policy documents. Further inquiry into the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or task orders would be necessary to ascertain the precise nature and scope of the services rendered.
How does the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) compare to industry benchmarks for similar defense engineering services?
Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are common in defense contracting, particularly for services where the scope may evolve or is not fully defined at the outset. The 'fixed fee' portion represents the contractor's profit, which is negotiated upfront and remains constant regardless of the final cost incurred. Benchmarking CPFF contracts requires comparing the fixed fee percentage and the overall cost-to-fee ratio against similar services and contract types. While CPFF can offer flexibility, it carries a higher risk of cost growth for the government compared to fixed-price contracts if cost controls are not robust. Industry benchmarks often show fixed fee percentages ranging from 5% to 15% of the estimated cost, depending on the complexity, risk, and duration of the effort. Without specific cost data and a detailed scope of work, a precise benchmark comparison is difficult, but the structure itself warrants diligent oversight of allowable costs.
What is Science Applications International Corporation's (SAIC) track record with similar Department of Defense contracts?
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is a major federal contractor with extensive experience supporting the Department of Defense (DoD) across a wide array of services, including engineering, IT, and professional services. They have a long history of performing complex, large-scale contracts for various military branches and agencies. SAIC's track record generally includes successful execution of numerous contracts related to defense education, training, simulation, and doctrine development. However, like any large contractor, they may have faced performance challenges or contract disputes on specific projects. A thorough review of SAIC's past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) for similar DoD contracts would provide a more detailed understanding of their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedule and budget.
What are the potential risks associated with the duration and cost-plus nature of this contract?
The primary risks associated with this contract stem from its duration of approximately 710 days (nearly two years) and its Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure. For CPFF contracts, the risk lies in potential cost overruns if the contractor's incurred costs exceed initial estimates, even though the fixed fee remains constant. This necessitates rigorous government oversight to ensure all costs claimed are allowable, reasonable, and allocable to the contract. The extended duration increases the potential for scope creep, changes in requirements, or unforeseen challenges that could impact costs and performance. Effective risk mitigation requires proactive contract management, clear communication channels, and robust performance monitoring to ensure the contractor remains focused on delivering value within the negotiated fee and managing costs effectively.
How does this contract's spending compare to historical trends for 'Joint Education and Doctrine' services within the Department of the Navy?
The provided data offers a single data point for this specific contract ($9.9 million). To assess historical spending trends for 'Joint Education and Doctrine' services within the Department of the Navy, a broader analysis of historical contract awards for similar services (using relevant NAICS codes like 541330 - Engineering Services, or specific service descriptions) would be required. This would involve examining spending patterns over several fiscal years, identifying key contractors, and noting fluctuations in contract values and volumes. Without this broader dataset, it's impossible to determine if the $9.9 million award represents a typical, increased, or decreased level of investment for these services. Such an analysis would help contextualize the current spending and identify any significant shifts in the Navy's priorities or budget allocation for these critical support functions.
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: N0018918RZ008
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 12010 SUNSET HILLS RD, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $10,774,199
Exercised Options: $10,774,199
Current Obligation: $9,896,798
Actual Outlays: $3,196,549
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $1,639,627
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0018919DZ008
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-05-21
Current End Date: 2024-04-30
Potential End Date: 2024-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-31
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