DoD's $15.4M Master-at-Arms Ready Relevant Learning contract awarded to CONTROLLED F.O.R.C.E INC. for engineering services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,395,409 ($15.4M)

Contractor: Controlled F.o.r.c.e Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-09-19

End Date: 2026-09-19

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: MASTER-AT-ARMS READY RELEVANT LEARNING (MA RRL)

Place of Performance

Location: LACKLAND AFB, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78236

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.4 million to CONTROLLED F.O.R.C.E INC. for work described as: MASTER-AT-ARMS READY RELEVANT LEARNING (MA RRL) Key points: 1. The contract value of $15.4 million over two years represents a significant investment in specialized engineering services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services, potentially leading to competitive pricing. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor, CONTROLLED F.O.R.C.E INC. 4. This contract supports the Department of the Navy's readiness and training initiatives. 5. The duration of 730 days indicates a need for sustained support in this area. 6. The award was made to a single contractor, highlighting the specific expertise required.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.4 million for two years of engineering services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of military training and readiness support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for defense training systems and engineering support would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests the government has negotiated a price that accounts for contractor risk, which is generally favorable for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors were likely solicited. The presence of 7 bids suggests a competitive environment where price and technical proposals were evaluated. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensures the government receives offers from a range of capable providers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and encouraging innovation among bidders, leading to better value for public funds.

Public Impact

This contract directly benefits the Department of the Navy by enhancing the readiness and training capabilities of its personnel. The services delivered are critical for maintaining and improving the Master-at-Arms training programs. The primary geographic impact is within the Department of Defense's operational and training infrastructure. The contract supports a specialized workforce of engineers and technical experts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the contractor's solution becomes deeply integrated.
Reliance on a single awardee for critical training services could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type aligns incentives for contractor performance and cost control.
The contract duration suggests a stable, long-term need being met.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting defense-related training and readiness. The market for specialized defense engineering services is often characterized by high barriers to entry due to security clearances, technical expertise, and established relationships. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining military technological superiority and operational effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of small business subcontracting requirements. This suggests that the primary awardee is likely a large business, and the focus was on obtaining the most competitive offer from the broader market. Further review of the contract details would be needed to confirm subcontracting plans.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard Department of Defense oversight mechanisms for procurement and performance. Accountability is managed through contract milestones, performance reviews, and payment schedules. Transparency is facilitated by public contract award databases, though specific performance metrics may be internal. The Inspector General's office would have jurisdiction over any allegations of fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

Defense Training Systems
Military Readiness Programs
Naval Engineering Services
Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Single award contract
Potential for performance issues impacting training readiness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.4 million to CONTROLLED F.O.R.C.E INC.. MASTER-AT-ARMS READY RELEVANT LEARNING (MA RRL)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CONTROLLED F.O.R.C.E 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 $15.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-19. End: 2026-09-19.

What is the historical spending pattern for Master-at-Arms Ready Relevant Learning (MA RRL) services by the Department of the Navy?

Analyzing historical spending for MA RRL services requires access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. Without specific historical data for this exact contract line item or program, it's difficult to provide precise figures. However, generally, the Department of the Navy invests significantly in training and readiness programs, which often include specialized learning systems and engineering support. Spending can fluctuate based on evolving threats, technological advancements, and budget allocations. A review of past solicitations and awards for similar training support contracts would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the number of bidders, offering context for the current $15.4 million award.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to similar engineering services contracts for military training?

Determining a precise per-unit cost for this contract is challenging without knowing the specific deliverables and their associated quantities. The contract is for 'Engineering Services' related to 'Master-at-Arms Ready Relevant Learning,' which could encompass a wide range of activities from curriculum development to system maintenance. To benchmark, one would need to identify comparable contracts that specify similar engineering tasks (e.g., instructional system design, software engineering for training platforms, technical documentation) and their respective costs. The $15.4 million over 730 days averages approximately $21,090 per day. Comparing this daily rate against the average daily rates for similar engineering services procured by other military branches or defense agencies would provide a valuable comparison point for value for money.

What is the track record of CONTROLLED F.O.R.C.E INC. with the Department of Defense and similar contracts?

CONTROLLED F.O.R.C.E INC. has a history of performing contracts with the Department of Defense. A thorough review of their contract history would reveal the types of services they have provided, their performance ratings (if publicly available), and any past performance issues or commendations. For this specific 'MASTER-AT-ARMS READY RELEVANT LEARNING (MA RRL)' contract, understanding their experience with naval training systems, engineering support, and firm-fixed-price contracts is crucial. Examining past awards to this contractor in similar NAICS codes (like 541330 - Engineering Services) and their value can indicate their capacity and reliability in fulfilling the requirements of this new award.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?

Key performance indicators for this contract would likely focus on the effectiveness and efficiency of the engineering services provided for the Master-at-Arms Ready Relevant Learning program. While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, they could include metrics such as on-time delivery of engineering support, adherence to technical specifications, quality of training materials or system updates developed, and responsiveness to Navy requirements. For a firm-fixed-price contract, meeting defined milestones and delivering the contracted services within budget are paramount. Performance evaluations, often documented in Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), would track these KPIs and inform future contracting decisions.

Are there any identified risks associated with this contract, such as technical challenges or contractor performance issues?

Potential risks associated with this contract include technical challenges in developing or maintaining advanced learning systems, integration issues with existing Navy infrastructure, and the contractor's ability to consistently meet performance standards under a firm-fixed-price agreement. Given that it's a single award, there's also a risk of over-reliance on CONTROLLED F.O.R.C.E INC. However, the full and open competition suggests that the government vetted multiple potential providers, mitigating some initial selection risk. The contract duration of two years allows for performance monitoring, and the firm-fixed-price structure incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and risks effectively to ensure successful delivery.

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: N0018924R3048

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 335 N RIVER ST SUITE 200, BATAVIA, IL, 60510

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,075,477

Exercised Options: $15,395,409

Current Obligation: $15,395,409

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017819D7409

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline