DoD's Army Awards $61.8M SETAS Contract to AXIENT LLC for Engineering Planning and Compliance
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $61,782,065 ($61.8M)
Contractor: Axient LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-06-01
End Date: 2025-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,678 days
Daily Burn Rate: $23.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Engineering Services
Official Description: SYSTEM ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT (SETAS) PROGRAM - ENVIRONMENTAL AND FACILITIES ENGINEERING PLANNING COMPLIANCE
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35807
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $61.8 million to AXIENT LLC for work described as: SYSTEM ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT (SETAS) PROGRAM - ENVIRONMENTAL AND FACILITIES ENGINEERING PLANNING COMPLIANCE Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential environmental and facilities engineering planning and compliance. 2. AXIENT LLC is the sole awardee under a full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 3. The contract duration extends to September 2025, indicating a long-term need. 4. This award falls under the Engineering Services sector, crucial for infrastructure management.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee. This can be effective for complex projects where costs are difficult to predict, but requires careful oversight to manage expenses.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process was intended. However, the exclusion of sources warrants further investigation into the rationale and its impact on price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The significant value of this contract indicates substantial taxpayer investment in essential engineering and compliance services for the Department of the Army.
Public Impact
Ensures compliance with environmental regulations, protecting natural resources. Supports critical facilities engineering planning for military installations. Contributes to the operational readiness and safety of Army infrastructure. Provides specialized technical assistance for complex engineering challenges.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Exclusion of sources in competition
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
Positive Signals
- Long-term contract duration
- Focus on essential compliance and planning
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, which is vital for government infrastructure projects. Benchmarks for similar contracts in this sector would typically involve extensive technical scope and long-term support requirements.
Small Business Impact
The data provided does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses, suggesting this contract was not targeted towards them. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had opportunities to participate as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's long duration and cost-plus nature necessitate robust oversight to ensure cost control and adherence to scope. Regular performance reviews and audits are crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure
- Lack of clarity on 'exclusion of sources' rationale
- No indication of small business participation
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, al, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $61.8 million to AXIENT LLC. SYSTEM ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT (SETAS) PROGRAM - ENVIRONMENTAL AND FACILITIES ENGINEERING PLANNING COMPLIANCE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AXIENT LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $61.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-06-01. End: 2025-09-30.
What specific criteria led to the exclusion of sources in this 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award, and how did this impact the final price?
The exclusion of sources typically occurs when specific capabilities or proprietary technologies are required, limiting the pool of eligible bidders. Understanding these criteria is vital to assess if the exclusion was justified and if it potentially limited competitive pressure, thereby impacting the final price achieved. Without this information, it's difficult to fully evaluate the value for money.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this SETAS program, and how is AXIENT LLC's performance being measured against them?
Effective oversight of this contract requires clearly defined KPIs related to environmental compliance, engineering planning accuracy, and project timeliness. Measuring AXIENT LLC's performance against these KPIs ensures that the Department of the Army is receiving the expected value and that taxpayer funds are being utilized efficiently. Regular reporting and performance reviews are essential for accountability.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure for this $61.8M contract balance the need for flexibility in engineering services with the government's need for cost control?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure allows for flexibility in addressing unforeseen complexities inherent in engineering and facilities planning. However, it places a significant burden on the government to meticulously track costs and ensure the fixed fee remains reasonable for the scope of work. Robust auditing and clear definition of allowable costs are critical to prevent cost overruns and ensure fair pricing.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 360A QUALITY CIRCLE, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $63,405,405
Exercised Options: $63,405,405
Current Obligation: $61,782,065
Actual Outlays: $3,973,753
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 101
Total Subaward Amount: $68,655,903
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS135
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-06-01
Current End Date: 2025-09-30
Potential End Date: 2025-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-31
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