DoD awards $56M for Maritime Coms Services, with 4 bids received under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $56,181,038 ($56.2M)

Contractor: Valiant Global Defense Services Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-07-01

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,583 days

Daily Burn Rate: $35.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: MARITIME COMS SERVICE CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: ORLANDO, ORANGE County, FLORIDA, 32826

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $56.2 million to VALIANT GLOBAL DEFENSE SERVICES INC. for work described as: MARITIME COMS SERVICE CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Valiant Global Defense Services Inc. for engineering services. 2. The contract has a duration of 1583 days, spanning from July 2022 to October 2026. 3. Pricing structure is Firm Fixed Price, indicating cost certainty for the government. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 5. The contract is a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 6. The services are categorized under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $56.2 million over approximately 4.3 years suggests a significant investment in maritime communications. Benchmarking this against similar engineering services contracts for defense applications would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government in managing cost overruns, assuming the scope was well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, with four bids received. This level of competition is generally considered healthy and suggests that multiple capable vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of four bidders indicates a competitive market for these specialized engineering services, which should theoretically drive more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process with multiple bidders helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by promoting price discovery and potentially lowering the overall cost of the services.

Public Impact

The Department of the Navy benefits from enhanced maritime communication capabilities. This contract supports critical engineering services essential for naval operations. The contract is geographically focused on Florida (ST/SN), indicating a specific operational or support hub. The services likely involve skilled engineers and technical personnel, impacting the defense technology workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial requirements were not fully detailed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical communication services could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type helps control costs.
Full and open competition suggests a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
Long-term contract duration allows for sustained support and relationship building.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting defense-related maritime communications. The market for defense engineering services is substantial, driven by the continuous need for technological advancement and maintenance of complex military systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale engineering support contracts awarded by the Department of Defense or other military branches for similar communication or C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) systems.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (SB=false, SS=false). While Valiant Global Defense Services Inc. may utilize small businesses as subcontractors, there is no explicit requirement or tracking indicated in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business subcontracting and its impact on the broader small business ecosystem within the defense engineering sector.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific performance metrics and oversight activities may not be publicly detailed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Naval C4ISR Systems Contracts
Defense Engineering Services
Maritime Communication Systems
Department of the Navy IT Support

Risk Flags

Potential for technological obsolescence
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities
Contractor performance risk
Scope definition and management
Dependence on specific vendor expertise

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $56.2 million to VALIANT GLOBAL DEFENSE SERVICES INC.. MARITIME COMS SERVICE CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VALIANT GLOBAL DEFENSE SERVICES 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 $56.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-07-01. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the track record of Valiant Global Defense Services Inc. with the Department of Defense, particularly on similar maritime communication contracts?

Valiant Global Defense Services Inc. has a history of securing contracts with the Department of Defense, often in areas related to defense support services and engineering. To assess their track record specifically on maritime communication contracts, a deeper dive into their past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes would be necessary. This would involve reviewing contract databases for awards, modifications, and any associated performance feedback or disputes. Understanding their experience with similar technical requirements and operational environments is crucial for evaluating their capability to successfully execute this $56 million contract over its multi-year duration.

How does the awarded value of $56.2 million compare to similar maritime communication service contracts awarded by the Navy or other branches in the last five years?

Benchmarking the $56.2 million award requires identifying comparable contracts based on service type (e.g., engineering, maintenance, integration), technology focus (maritime communications), contract vehicle (e.g., IDIQ, specific delivery order), and duration. A preliminary comparison suggests this is a substantial award, reflecting the complexity and criticality of modern naval communication systems. Contracts for similar C4ISR or specialized engineering support for naval platforms can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents high or low value, but the firm fixed-price nature and competitive award suggest an effort towards achieving fair market value.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, considering its duration and the nature of maritime communication systems?

Key risks include technological obsolescence, as maritime communication systems evolve rapidly; performance degradation or failure of critical systems, impacting naval readiness; potential cost overruns if the firm fixed-price scope is not meticulously managed; and contractor performance issues, such as delays or quality deficiencies. Geopolitical factors or changes in operational requirements could also necessitate contract modifications or scope adjustments. Furthermore, cybersecurity threats targeting communication networks represent a significant and ongoing risk that requires robust mitigation strategies throughout the contract lifecycle.

How effective are the current maritime communication systems supported by this contract in meeting evolving naval operational demands?

The effectiveness of the systems supported by this contract is directly tied to the scope of work performed by Valiant Global Defense Services Inc. If the contract focuses on maintaining, upgrading, or integrating existing systems, its effectiveness hinges on the quality of engineering support provided. Naval operational demands are constantly shifting due to advancements in warfare, intelligence gathering, and global presence requirements. Therefore, the 'effectiveness' is a dynamic measure. The contract's success in meeting these demands would be assessed through performance metrics, user feedback from naval personnel, and the system's ability to maintain secure, reliable, and high-bandwidth communication in diverse operational environments.

What has been the historical spending trend for maritime communication services by the Department of the Navy over the past decade?

Historical spending on maritime communication services by the Department of the Navy has generally trended upwards over the past decade, driven by the need to modernize aging infrastructure, integrate new technologies (like satellite communications, secure data links, and network-centric warfare capabilities), and maintain operational readiness across a global fleet. Factors such as increased geopolitical tensions, evolving threats, and the push towards digital transformation within the military have likely contributed to sustained or increased investment in this area. Analyzing specific budget allocations and contract awards for C4ISR and communication systems would provide precise figures, but the overall trend indicates a significant and ongoing commitment to robust naval communication capabilities.

What specific engineering services are included under this contract, and how do they contribute to the overall mission readiness of naval assets?

The contract specifies 'Engineering Services' (NAICS 541330), which is broad. For maritime communications, this typically encompasses a range of activities such as system design, integration, testing, installation, maintenance, and lifecycle support for communication platforms. This could include radio systems, satellite terminals, data networks, encryption devices, and associated infrastructure. These services are critical for ensuring that naval vessels and personnel can communicate securely and effectively with each other, with command centers, and with other assets, both domestically and internationally. Mission readiness is directly enhanced by reliable and advanced communication systems, enabling command and control, intelligence sharing, and coordinated operations.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N6134022R0027

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2355 DULLES CORNER BLVD STE 200, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $77,522,617

Exercised Options: $67,711,373

Current Obligation: $56,181,038

Actual Outlays: $17,253,777

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $927,221

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6134016D1003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline