DoD's $31.8M R&D contract for architectural analysis awarded to Science Applications International Corporation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $31,832,524 ($31.8M)
Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2012-08-21
End Date: 2018-02-21
Contract Duration: 2,010 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TASK 2 - ARCHITECTURAL ANALYSIS IGF::OT::IGF
Place of Performance
Location: FORT GEORGE G MEADE, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 20755
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $31.8 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: TASK 2 - ARCHITECTURAL ANALYSIS IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust market. 2. Cost-plus incentive fee structure may incentivize contractor efficiency. 3. Long performance period (2012-2018) indicates a sustained need for services. 4. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. 5. Contract awarded by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). 6. Performance located in Maryland.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of $31.8 million over six years for architectural analysis services is difficult to benchmark without more specific details on the scope of work. The cost-plus incentive fee (CPIF) structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully, but also offers potential savings if targets are met. Comparing this to similar R&D contracts in the defense sector would require detailed analysis of deliverables and contractor performance.
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 were likely considered. This competitive process is generally expected to yield fair market pricing and encourage innovation. The number of bidders and the specific evaluation criteria would provide further insight into the strength of the competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.
Public Impact
The Department of Defense benefits from advanced architectural analysis for its systems. Services likely support the development and improvement of defense infrastructure. Geographic impact is concentrated in Maryland, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include specialized R&D roles within the contractor's organization.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in CPIF contracts if not closely monitored.
- Scope creep could increase the final cost beyond initial projections.
- Long contract duration may require adjustments for evolving technological needs.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
- Incentive fee structure may drive contractor efficiency and cost savings.
- Contractor's involvement in R&D indicates specialized expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The defense industry heavily invests in R&D to maintain technological superiority. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific type of architectural analysis, but overall R&D spending by the DoD is substantial, often in the tens of billions annually.
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 stemming from a set-aside. The primary contractor, Science Applications International Corporation, is a large business, and any subcontracting would be at their discretion.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting agency, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), and potentially the Department of Defense's Inspector General. Mechanisms would include regular performance reviews, financial audits, and adherence to contract milestones. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements.
Related Government Programs
- Defense Information Systems Agency Contracts
- Research and Development Contracts
- Architectural Services Contracts
- Cost-Plus Incentive Fee Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in CPIF contracts.
- Scope definition clarity for R&D services.
- Long contract duration may not align with rapidly evolving tech needs.
Tags
department-of-defense, science-applications-international-corporation, research-and-development, architectural-analysis, cost-plus-incentive-fee, full-and-open-competition, defense-information-systems-agency, maryland, large-contract, it-services, engineering-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $31.8 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. TASK 2 - ARCHITECTURAL ANALYSIS IGF::OT::IGF
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 (Defense Information Systems Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $31.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-08-21. End: 2018-02-21.
What specific architectural analysis services were provided under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract was for 'TASK 2 - ARCHITECTURAL ANALYSIS' under NAICS code 541712 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). However, the specific nature of the architectural analysis is not detailed. It could range from system architecture design, infrastructure planning, to complex modeling and simulation for defense systems. Without further documentation, the precise services remain unspecified, making it difficult to assess the value or effectiveness beyond the broad R&D category.
How does the $31.8 million cost compare to similar R&D architectural analysis contracts?
Benchmarking this $31.8 million contract against similar R&D architectural analysis contracts is challenging without more granular data. The duration of the contract (2012-2018) means the annual spend was approximately $5.3 million. The specific domain within physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D also plays a crucial role. Contracts for advanced simulation or complex system design could command higher prices than basic infrastructure analysis. A comprehensive comparison would require analyzing contracts with similar scope, complexity, and agency focus within the DoD R&D portfolio.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contract of this magnitude?
The primary risks with a CPIF contract of this magnitude ($31.8 million) revolve around cost control and contractor performance. While the incentive fee aims to reward efficiency, there's a risk that the target costs could be set too high, leading to excessive profits for the contractor without commensurate savings for the government. Conversely, overly aggressive targets might pressure the contractor to cut corners on quality. Effective oversight is critical to ensure the contractor meets performance objectives while managing costs within reasonable bounds. Scope creep is another significant risk, potentially inflating the total cost if not managed tightly.
What was the track record of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) with similar DoD contracts prior to this award?
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has a long history of contracting with the Department of Defense across various R&D and technical services. Prior to this 2012 award, SAIC had secured numerous contracts for complex systems engineering, IT support, and research initiatives. Their extensive experience suggests a demonstrated capability in handling large-scale defense projects. However, a detailed assessment would require reviewing their performance history on specific, comparable contracts, including any past issues related to cost, schedule, or quality, to fully understand their track record relevant to this architectural analysis task.
How has spending on R&D for architectural analysis evolved within the DoD since this contract period?
Spending on R&D for architectural analysis within the DoD has likely evolved significantly since the 2012-2018 period of this contract. The increasing complexity of defense systems, the rise of cloud computing, cybersecurity imperatives, and the push towards digital transformation have all influenced the nature and scale of architectural analysis required. While specific figures for 'architectural analysis' R&D are hard to isolate, overall DoD R&D budgets have generally seen fluctuations but remain substantial. Trends likely include greater emphasis on software-defined architectures, AI integration, and resilient system designs, potentially leading to shifts in contract types and service providers.
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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE (V)
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: $31,859,814
Exercised Options: $31,859,814
Current Obligation: $31,832,524
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 23
Total Subaward Amount: $1,969,063
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HC102808D2025
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-08-21
Current End Date: 2018-02-21
Potential End Date: 2018-02-21 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-06
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