DoD's $19M Engineering Services Contract Awarded to Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC Under Firm Fixed Price Terms

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,063,121 ($19.1M)

Contractor: Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-09-03

End Date: 2024-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,671 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22311

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.1 million to BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, providing cost certainty for the government. 2. The contract has a long duration of over 1600 days, indicating a sustained need for services. 3. Awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about the extent of competition. 4. The contract is for engineering services, a critical component of defense operations. 5. The value of the contract is substantial, reflecting significant investment in support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $19 million over its duration appears reasonable for specialized engineering services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering support contracts within the Department of Defense is necessary for a definitive value assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, but the absence of competitive bidding limits the ability to ascertain if the lowest possible price was achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This approach is typically used when only one vendor possesses the necessary qualifications, security clearances, or specialized expertise required for the service. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a bidding process that could have potentially driven down prices or offered a wider range of solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price, as there was no competitive pressure to reduce costs. It also limits opportunities for other capable businesses to secure government contracts.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Army, which receives essential engineering support. Services delivered likely include design, analysis, testing, and technical support for military systems and infrastructure. The geographic impact is likely concentrated around Army installations or operational areas where these engineering services are deployed. Workforce implications include direct employment for Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC personnel and potential indirect support for related industries.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price discovery and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Long contract duration without re-competition could lead to complacency or reduced innovation.
Sole-source awards can create barriers to entry for new or smaller businesses in the long term.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty and reduces the risk of cost overruns for the government.
Award to a single, presumably qualified, vendor suggests a specific capability requirement was met.
Sustained support over a long period indicates a critical and ongoing need for these engineering services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a vital part of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector supports numerous government functions, particularly in defense, infrastructure, and research. The market for specialized engineering services is competitive, but specific niche requirements, such as those for defense applications, can lead to sole-source or limited competition awards. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large engineering support contracts awarded by the DoD or other federal agencies for similar types of services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned. The sole-source nature of the award further limits opportunities for small businesses to participate directly or indirectly. This could mean a missed opportunity to foster small business growth within the defense engineering sector.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, but contract award details are generally available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Defense Engineering Services
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Army Support Contracts
Sole-Source Defense Acquisitions

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may indicate limited market availability or a lack of competitive justification.
Long contract duration without stated re-competition points could reduce future competitive opportunities.
Lack of small business subcontracting noted could limit broader economic impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.1 million to BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC. PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

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 $19.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-03. End: 2024-03-31.

What specific engineering services does Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC provide under this contract?

While the contract is categorized under 'Engineering Services' (NAICS 541330), the precise nature of the services provided by Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, engineering services for the Department of Defense can encompass a wide range of activities, including but not limited to systems engineering, design and development, technical analysis, testing and evaluation, logistics support, cybersecurity engineering, and program management support for complex military platforms, weapons systems, or infrastructure projects. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope of work is expected to be delivered within a set budget.

How does the $19 million contract value compare to similar engineering services contracts awarded by the Army?

Comparing the $19 million value requires access to a broader dataset of Army engineering services contracts. However, for a definitive contract spanning over 1600 days (approximately 4.5 years), this value suggests a significant, ongoing requirement. Larger, more complex engineering programs within the Army can range from tens of millions to billions of dollars. Smaller, more specialized or shorter-term engineering support contracts might be in the low millions. Without specific comparable contract details (e.g., scope, duration, specific services), it's difficult to definitively benchmark this $19 million award. However, it represents a substantial investment in engineering capabilities.

What are the risks associated with awarding a contract of this magnitude on a sole-source basis?

The primary risk of a sole-source award for a $19 million contract is the potential for paying a non-competitive price, meaning taxpayers may not be getting the best value for their money. There's also a reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or become highly efficient, as there's no competitive pressure. Furthermore, it limits opportunities for other qualified businesses, potentially stifling market competition and innovation in the long run. The government also relies heavily on the performance and integrity of a single vendor, increasing risk if that vendor underperforms or faces financial difficulties.

What is the track record of Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Defense?

Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily with the Department of Defense. While the provided data snippet focuses on this specific $19 million award, a comprehensive analysis would involve reviewing their entire contract portfolio. This would include examining past performance on similar engineering or mission support contracts, their on-time delivery record, quality of work, and any past performance issues or disputes. Understanding their historical performance is crucial for assessing the risk associated with this current contract.

How does the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type influence the risk profile for both the government and the contractor?

The Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract type places the majority of the cost risk on the contractor, Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC. The government agrees to pay a set price regardless of the contractor's actual costs incurred. This provides significant budget certainty for the government, making financial planning easier and protecting against cost overruns. For the contractor, it means they must accurately estimate all costs associated with performing the contract and build in a contingency. If their costs exceed the estimate, their profit margin shrinks or they could incur a loss. Conversely, if they manage costs effectively, their profit margin increases. This structure incentivizes the contractor to control costs and perform efficiently.

What does the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' designation imply about the justification for this sole-source award?

The 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' designation directly indicates that the contract was awarded without a competitive bidding process. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6 outlines the policies for contracting without full and open competition. Agencies must justify such awards, typically citing reasons like urgency, unique capabilities of a single source, or when only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs. The specific justification for this award would be documented by the Department of the Army and is usually made public, though the provided data does not include it. This designation necessitates a higher level of scrutiny regarding the necessity and fairness of the award.

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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W91CRB19R0044

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $19,070,339

Exercised Options: $19,070,339

Current Obligation: $19,063,121

Actual Outlays: $8,859

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline