DoD's $24M advisory services contract awarded to Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC for education and training support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,093,217 ($24.1M)

Contractor: Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-08-29

End Date: 2022-08-28

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDE ADVISORY&ASSISTANCE SVS TO SUPPORT IN LABOR, TRAVEL, AND ODC TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL IN DELIVERY OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND DOCTRINE TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, JOINT STAFF, OTHER AGENCIES AND ALLIED/PARTNER NATIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, EL PASO County, COLORADO, 80912

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.1 million to BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: PROVIDE ADVISORY&ASSISTANCE SVS TO SUPPORT IN LABOR, TRAVEL, AND ODC TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL IN DELIVERY OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND DOCTRINE TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, JOINT STAFF, OTHER AGENCIES AND ALLIED/PARTNER NATIONS. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential advisory and assistance services for labor, travel, and other direct costs. 2. Services support the delivery of education, training, and doctrine to various defense and allied entities. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 4. The duration of 729 days suggests a medium-term engagement for critical support functions. 5. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) allows for flexibility while managing costs. 6. The small business set-aside status is false, meaning it was not specifically targeted for small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $24 million over two years for advisory and assistance services appears reasonable given the scope of supporting the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, and allied nations. Benchmarking against similar contracts for high-level advisory services in defense indicates that this pricing is within expected ranges. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, while potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed carefully, is common for complex service contracts where exact costs are difficult to predict upfront.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This typically means that the agency initially considered a broader range of sources but then excluded some, or that it was a competitive process where specific sources were identified and allowed to bid. The presence of 4 bids (no: 4) suggests a moderate level of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring value for money.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a more competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and service quality compared to sole-source awards.

Public Impact

The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and the Joint Staff benefit from enhanced educational and training capabilities. Allied and partner nations receive support in defense education and doctrine, fostering international cooperation. The contract supports the delivery of critical education and training programs essential for national security. Workforce implications include the provision of specialized advisory and assistance services, potentially requiring skilled personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractors to incur costs beyond what is necessary if the fixed fee is substantial.
The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants further understanding of the rationale behind exclusions.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contract supports critical defense education and training functions for multiple high-level entities.
The contractor, Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC, has experience in providing mission support services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically engineering services (NAICS 541330). This sector is crucial for government operations, providing specialized expertise that agencies often cannot maintain in-house. The market for advisory and assistance services within the Department of Defense is substantial, with numerous companies competing for contracts that support strategic planning, training, and operational readiness. Spending in this category is often benchmarked against similar service contracts to ensure fair pricing.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This indicates that the competition was open to all eligible large and small businesses. While this contract did not directly benefit small businesses through a set-aside, large prime contractors often engage small businesses as subcontractors. The extent of small business subcontracting would need to be reviewed to assess the broader impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program management office within the Department of the Army, which awarded the contract on behalf of the Department of Defense. Performance reviews, financial audits, and adherence to contract terms are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific performance metrics may not always be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Defense Education and Training Programs
Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS)
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Office of the Secretary of Defense Support Contracts
Joint Staff Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in CPFF contracts.
Need for clear performance metrics to ensure value delivery in advisory services.
Understanding the rationale behind 'exclusion of sources' in the competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.1 million to BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC. PROVIDE ADVISORY&ASSISTANCE SVS TO SUPPORT IN LABOR, TRAVEL, AND ODC TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL IN DELIVERY OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND DOCTRINE TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, JOINT STAFF, OTHER AGENCIES AND ALLIED/PARTNER NATIONS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, 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 $24.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-08-29. End: 2022-08-28.

What is the track record of Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC in delivering similar advisory and assistance services to the Department of Defense?

Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC has a history of performing various support services for the Department of Defense, including technical, engineering, and professional services. Their experience often encompasses areas like logistics, training, and program management. While specific details on past performance for identical advisory and assistance scopes are best found in detailed contract histories and performance evaluations, their general presence in the defense contracting space suggests familiarity with government requirements and operational environments. A deeper dive into their contract awards and past performance reviews would provide a more precise understanding of their capabilities and reliability in delivering complex advisory services.

How does the $24 million contract value compare to similar advisory and assistance contracts within the DoD?

The $24 million contract value for two years of advisory and assistance services appears to be within a reasonable range for supporting high-level entities like the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff. Contracts of this nature, involving strategic guidance, training development, and operational support, often range from several million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the complexity and duration. Benchmarking against contracts for similar services, such as program management support, policy development, or specialized training delivery, would confirm if this specific award represents a fair market price. Factors like the number of personnel, required expertise, and geographic scope significantly influence pricing.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for advisory services?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is the potential for cost overruns. While the fixed fee provides the contractor with a defined profit margin, the 'cost plus' portion means the government reimburses the contractor's allowable costs. If costs escalate beyond initial estimates due to inefficiencies, scope creep, or poor management, the government bears the financial burden. For advisory services, risks also include the contractor not delivering the expected level of expertise or strategic insight, or the services not aligning with the evolving needs of the agency. Robust oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective are advisory and assistance contracts in enhancing the educational and training capabilities of the DoD?

Advisory and assistance contracts can be highly effective in enhancing DoD educational and training capabilities by providing specialized expertise, developing innovative training methodologies, and supporting the logistical and administrative aspects of complex programs. These contracts allow the DoD to access external knowledge and skills that may not be readily available internally, or to augment existing staff during peak periods. The success of such contracts hinges on clear objectives, well-defined scopes of work, strong contractor performance, and diligent government oversight. When executed effectively, they can lead to more sophisticated training curricula, improved doctrine, and better-prepared personnel.

What has been the historical spending trend for advisory and assistance services within the Department of the Army?

Historical spending on advisory and assistance (A&AS) services by the Department of the Army, and the DoD broadly, has been substantial and generally increasing over the past decade. A&AS contracts are a significant component of the defense budget, supporting a wide array of functions from strategic planning and policy development to technical support and training. While specific year-over-year trends fluctuate based on budgetary priorities and operational needs, the overall reliance on external expertise for specialized functions remains a consistent feature. Analyzing detailed historical spending data from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) would reveal precise trends and identify major areas of A&AS expenditure within the Army.

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: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6564 LOISDALE CT STE 900, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 22150

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $115,752,117

Exercised Options: $44,029,776

Current Obligation: $24,093,217

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 7

Total Subaward Amount: $50,302,398

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS311

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline