Navy awards $15M contract for anti-terrorism instructor services, with 10 prior orders

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,059,688 ($15.1M)

Contractor: Armada, Ltd.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-07-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACQUISITION IS TO ACQUIRE ANTITERRORISM/NAVY SECURITY FORCE (AT/NSF) INSTRUCTOR SERVICES REQUIRED BY THE CENTER FOR SECURITY FORCES (CENSECFOR) FOR THEIR TRAINING SITES WITHIN THE EASTERN REGIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: CHESAPEAKE, CHESAPEAKE CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23322

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.1 million to ARMADA, LTD. for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACQUISITION IS TO ACQUIRE ANTITERRORISM/NAVY SECURITY FORCE (AT/NSF) INSTRUCTOR SERVICES REQUIRED BY THE CENTER FOR SECURITY FORCES (CENSECFOR) FOR THEIR TRAINING SITES WITHIN THE EASTERN REGIONS. Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through competitive bidding and firm-fixed-price structure. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a robust market for specialized security training. 3. Risk indicators include contract duration and potential for scope creep. 4. Performance context is set by the Center for Security Forces' training needs. 5. Sector positioning within Engineering Services highlights specialized defense support. 6. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting fair market pricing. 7. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of approximately $15 million over three years for specialized instructor services appears reasonable given the niche nature of the requirement. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized security training instructors suggests this pricing is competitive, especially considering the high level of expertise required for anti-terrorism and Navy security force training.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of 10 prior orders suggests a stable and competitive market for these services. The competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the government receives quality services at a reasonable cost.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better service quality compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Navy personnel who receive critical anti-terrorism and security force training. Services delivered include specialized instruction essential for maintaining force protection standards. The geographic impact is focused on training sites within the Eastern Regions of the United States. Workforce implications include the employment of skilled instructors in specialized security training roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for instructor burnout due to the demanding nature of the training.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical security training services.
Ensuring consistent quality of instruction across all training sites.
Adapting training content to evolving threats and security protocols.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating market viability.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost overruns.
Contract duration of three years provides stability for training continuity.
Contractor has prior experience with multiple delivery orders under this contract.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically focusing on specialized training and support for defense applications. The market for defense training services is substantial, driven by the continuous need for personnel to maintain readiness and adapt to evolving threats. Comparable spending benchmarks in this niche often reflect the high degree of expertise and security clearance required for instructors.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a set-aside requirement. However, the prime contractor may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses, which would need to be assessed based on the contractor's specific subcontracting plan.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the Department of the Navy's contracting officers and program managers within the Center for Security Forces. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Navy Security Forces Training
Anti-Terrorism Training Programs
Defense Contractor Services
Specialized Military Instruction
Center for Security Forces (CENSECFOR) Operations

Risk Flags

Contract duration may pose a risk if performance issues arise late in the term.
Reliance on specialized instructors could lead to continuity challenges if key personnel depart.
Evolving threat landscape necessitates continuous curriculum updates, adding complexity.
Potential for scope creep if training requirements expand beyond initial definition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.1 million to ARMADA, LTD.. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACQUISITION IS TO ACQUIRE ANTITERRORISM/NAVY SECURITY FORCE (AT/NSF) INSTRUCTOR SERVICES REQUIRED BY THE CENTER FOR SECURITY FORCES (CENSECFOR) FOR THEIR TRAINING SITES WITHIN THE EASTERN REGIONS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARMADA, LTD..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-07-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the contractor's track record with similar defense training contracts?

ARMADA, LTD. has been awarded this contract with 10 prior delivery orders, indicating a history of performance under this specific requirement. While the provided data doesn't detail their broader track record across all defense training contracts, the multiple delivery orders suggest a capacity to manage and execute these specialized instructor services. Further analysis would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, any contract disputes, and the scope of services provided on previous similar contracts to fully assess their experience and reliability in the defense training sector.

How does the total contract value compare to similar anti-terrorism training services?

The total contract value of approximately $15 million over three years for AT/NSF instructor services is difficult to benchmark precisely without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts. However, given the specialized nature of anti-terrorism and Navy security force instruction, which requires highly skilled personnel and potentially specific certifications, this value appears within a reasonable range for niche defense training. The firm-fixed-price structure and full and open competition suggest that the pricing was vetted against market rates. A more precise comparison would require analyzing contracts for similar specialized military training services, considering factors like instructor-to-student ratios, curriculum development, and geographic coverage.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks include the potential for instructor attrition or burnout due to the demanding nature of security training, which could impact service continuity. There's also a risk related to the evolving threat landscape, requiring continuous updates to training curricula to remain effective. Dependence on a single contractor for critical training functions, even if competitively awarded, presents a risk if performance issues arise. Furthermore, ensuring consistent quality of instruction across various training sites requires robust oversight. Finally, the firm-fixed-price nature, while beneficial for cost control, could incentivize the contractor to minimize effort if not properly monitored, potentially affecting training depth.

How effective is the Center for Security Forces in utilizing these instructor services?

The effectiveness of the Center for Security Forces (CENSECFOR) in utilizing these instructor services is primarily indicated by the continuation of the contract and the issuance of multiple delivery orders. The fact that the Navy requires these services and has awarded this contract through full and open competition suggests a recognized need and a perceived ability of the contractor to meet that need. CENSECFOR's internal performance metrics and feedback mechanisms would be the most direct measures of effectiveness, assessing whether the training provided adequately prepares Navy security forces for their anti-terrorism duties. Without access to CENSECFOR's internal evaluations, assessing effectiveness remains inferential based on contract continuation.

What are the historical spending patterns for AT/NSF instructor services?

The provided data focuses on a single contract award with 10 prior delivery orders totaling $15,059,687.74. This suggests a consistent need and expenditure for AT/NSF instructor services over the contract's life. To understand broader historical spending patterns, one would need to examine previous contract vehicles, other award types (e.g., sole-source, other than full and open), and potentially spending by different Navy commands or other branches for similar services. The current data indicates a stable, multi-year commitment to this specific service, implying consistent demand and funding allocation for these critical training functions.

What is the potential impact of this contract on small business participation in defense contracting?

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition' and is not designated as a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). This means the primary contract was not specifically targeted to encourage small business prime participation. However, the prime contractor, ARMADA, LTD., may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill parts of the contract requirements. The extent of small business subcontracting would depend on the contractor's business strategy and any subcontracting goals set by the Navy. Without specific subcontracting plans or data, the direct impact on small business participation is limited to potential subcontracting opportunities.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N0018923R3011

Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 23 CLAIREDAN DRIVE, POWELL, OH, 43065

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,496,696

Exercised Options: $15,059,688

Current Obligation: $15,059,688

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017821D8929

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline