Air Force Awards $29M for Remote Sensing Systems Advisory Services to Tecolote Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $29,012,375 ($29.0M)
Contractor: Tecolote Research, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2015-09-08
End Date: 2019-03-08
Contract Duration: 1,277 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF PROVIDE ACQUISITION FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND ADVISORY SERVICES FOR THE REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS DIRECTORATE
Place of Performance
Location: GOLETA, SANTA BARBARA County, CALIFORNIA, 93117
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $29.0 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF PROVIDE ACQUISITION FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND ADVISORY SERVICES FOR THE REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS DIRECTORATE Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized R&D advisory services. 2. Tecolote Research, Inc. is the sole contractor. 3. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources indicates a specific justification for limited competition. 4. The contract duration is over 3 years, suggesting a need for sustained support.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $29M over approximately 3.5 years appears reasonable for specialized advisory services in a niche R&D area. Benchmarking against similar contracts for high-level technical consulting is difficult without more granular data on service scope.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting that while competition was sought, only specific sources were eligible or able to participate. This method can limit price discovery compared to unrestricted full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for specialized advisory services. The limited competition structure may result in a higher price than if broader competition were pursued.
Public Impact
Supports critical remote sensing systems development for national security. Ensures technical expertise is available for complex acquisition decisions. Potential for cost efficiencies through expert advice on system development and procurement.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may impact cost-effectiveness.
- Lack of transparency in source exclusion criteria.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical advisory services.
Positive Signals
- Provides specialized technical expertise.
- Supports a critical national security function.
- Fixed-price contract can incentivize cost control.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is often characterized by high innovation, long development cycles, and specialized expertise, making benchmarking challenging.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting goals or participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is managed by the Department of the Air Force. The 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants scrutiny to ensure fair and justified competition practices were followed.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition.
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Lack of small business participation.
- High contract value for advisory services.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ca, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $29.0 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC.. IGF::CT::IGF PROVIDE ACQUISITION FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND ADVISORY SERVICES FOR THE REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS DIRECTORATE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $29.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-09-08. End: 2019-03-08.
What was the specific justification for excluding other potential sources in this 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award?
The justification for excluding other sources typically relates to unique capabilities, proprietary data, or specific technical requirements that only a limited number of entities possess. Without the specific documentation, it's difficult to ascertain the precise reasons, but it implies a need for highly specialized expertise or technology that Tecolote Research, Inc. uniquely met at the time of award.
How does the cost of these advisory services compare to industry benchmarks for similar R&D support contracts?
Benchmarking this contract's cost is challenging due to the specialized nature of remote sensing systems and advisory services. However, the $29M value over 3.5 years suggests a significant investment. A detailed cost analysis comparing labor rates, overhead, and profit margins against comparable government or commercial contracts would be necessary for a definitive assessment.
What is the long-term strategic value of relying on a single firm for these critical advisory services?
The long-term strategic value depends on the criticality and uniqueness of the services provided. While a single firm can ensure continuity and deep expertise, it also introduces risk related to vendor lock-in, potential complacency, and lack of fresh perspectives. Diversifying advisory sources or building internal capabilities could mitigate these risks.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 420 S FAIRVIEW AVE STE 201, GOLETA, CA, 93117
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $29,048,087
Exercised Options: $29,048,087
Current Obligation: $29,012,375
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 84
Total Subaward Amount: $139,946,605
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA880213D0002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-09-08
Current End Date: 2019-03-08
Potential End Date: 2019-03-08 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-09-23
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