DoD awards $51M engineering services contract to TRAX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for Aberdeen Test Center support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $51,032,675 ($51.0M)
Contractor: Trax International Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-04-02
End Date: 2026-08-17
Contract Duration: 502 days
Daily Burn Rate: $101.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: ABERDEEN TEST CENTER SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21005
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $51.0 million to TRAX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: ABERDEEN TEST CENTER SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 502 days indicates a medium-term engagement for specialized services. 3. TRAX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, the sole awardee, has a track record in supporting government testing facilities. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 5. Services are to be performed in Maryland, potentially impacting the local workforce and economy. 6. This award represents a significant investment in maintaining critical defense testing infrastructure.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns. However, the total award amount of approximately $51 million over roughly 1.5 years suggests a substantial investment in engineering support services. Comparisons to similar contracts for test center operations would be necessary to fully assess value for money. The fixed fee component provides some cost certainty, but the cost-plus nature requires diligent oversight to prevent excessive spending.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The agency's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to provide qualified contractors.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for competitive pricing and encourages a wider range of innovative solutions, potentially leading to cost savings and improved service delivery.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army and the broader Department of Defense, which will receive essential engineering support for the Aberdeen Test Center. Services delivered include engineering support crucial for the testing and evaluation of military equipment and systems. The geographic impact is concentrated in Maryland, where the Aberdeen Test Center is located, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in the region. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized engineers and technical staff, both within the contractor's organization and potentially supporting roles within the government facility.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts carry inherent risks of cost escalation if not rigorously managed and monitored.
- Lack of specific bidder count makes it difficult to assess the true level of competition and its impact on pricing.
- The duration of the contract (502 days) is substantial, requiring sustained oversight to ensure performance standards are met throughout its life.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, which typically promotes competitive pricing.
- The fixed fee component provides a degree of cost predictability for the government.
- TRAX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION's likely experience in similar support roles suggests a potential for efficient service delivery.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. The market for defense engineering support services is substantial, driven by the ongoing need for advanced testing and evaluation of military technologies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts awarded to support government test ranges and research facilities, which often involve complex technical requirements and significant personnel investment.
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 or specific benefits for the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The focus is on large business prime contractors capable of meeting the extensive requirements of defense engineering support.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant Department of the Army technical representatives at the Aberdeen Test Center. Accountability measures are embedded in the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, requiring detailed reporting and justification of costs. Transparency is typically facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific performance metrics and oversight activities may not be publicly detailed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Aberdeen Test Center Operations
- Defense Engineering Support Services
- Army Test and Evaluation Command Contracts
- Cost-Plus Contract Management
- Federal Engineering Services Procurement
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent cost oversight.
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in CPFF structure.
- Limited public information on specific performance metrics and bidder numbers.
- Dependence on contractor's ability to manage complex engineering tasks.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, engineering-services, aberdeen-test-center, trax-international-corporation, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, cost-plus-fixed-fee, maryland, professional-scientific-and-technical-services, medium-sized-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $51.0 million to TRAX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. ABERDEEN TEST CENTER SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TRAX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $51.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-04-02. End: 2026-08-17.
What is TRAX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION's past performance record with the Department of Defense, particularly in similar test center support roles?
Assessing TRAX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION's past performance is crucial for understanding their capability to successfully execute this contract. While specific details of past performance are often proprietary or found in detailed agency evaluations, their selection for this significant award suggests a positive assessment by the Department of the Army. Companies like TRAX often have a history of supporting government testing and evaluation facilities, which may include previous contracts for engineering services, facility maintenance, and operational support at various military installations. A thorough review would involve examining contract databases for past awards, performance reviews (if publicly available), and any documented instances of outstanding performance or challenges encountered on previous similar projects to gauge their reliability and expertise in meeting complex defense requirements.
How does the estimated cost per day for this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar engineering support services at government test facilities?
Calculating an estimated cost per day requires dividing the total award amount ($51,032,675.24) by the contract duration in days (502). This yields approximately $101,659 per day. Benchmarking this figure against industry standards for specialized engineering support at government test facilities is complex due to variations in service scope, labor mix, overhead, and profit margins. However, for highly technical and specialized support, this daily rate may fall within a reasonable range, especially considering the unique requirements of a test center. A more precise comparison would necessitate access to data on similar contracts, factoring in the specific types of engineering disciplines required, security clearances, and the criticality of the services provided to defense readiness.
What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this specific engineering support requirement?
The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is the potential for cost overruns. While the 'fixed fee' provides a defined profit margin for the contractor, the 'cost-plus' element means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs incurred. If costs escalate beyond initial estimates due to unforeseen technical challenges, scope creep, or inefficient management by the contractor, the total government expenditure can significantly exceed the initial projected total cost. For the Aberdeen Test Center support, risks could include unexpected complexities in testing protocols, the need for specialized equipment not initially budgeted, or extended testing durations. Effective oversight, stringent cost controls, and clear definition of allowable costs are critical to mitigating these risks and ensuring the government receives value for its investment.
What is the historical spending trend for engineering services at the Aberdeen Test Center over the past five years?
Analyzing historical spending trends for engineering services at the Aberdeen Test Center over the past five years would provide valuable context for this $51 million award. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to determine if this contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. Typically, such analysis would involve reviewing previous contract awards for similar services at the facility, noting the total dollar amounts, contract types, and durations. Significant fluctuations might indicate changes in testing priorities, modernization efforts, or shifts in contracting strategies. Understanding these trends helps assess whether the current award is consistent with past resource allocation or represents a new strategic direction for the center's support services.
How does the geographic concentration of this contract in Maryland potentially impact the local small business ecosystem through subcontracting opportunities?
As this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have small business set-aside provisions (based on 'ss: false' and 'sb: false'), the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through prime contracting is minimal. However, the prime contractor, TRAX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific aspects of the engineering support services. The extent of these subcontracting opportunities would depend on the prime contractor's subcontracting plan and the specific needs of the contract. Given the concentration in Maryland, local small businesses with relevant engineering, technical, or support capabilities could potentially benefit if they are identified and selected by the prime contractor. The overall impact hinges on the prime's subcontracting strategy and the availability of qualified local small businesses.
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
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 8337 W SUNSET RD STE 190, LAS VEGAS, NV, 89113
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $91,983,058
Exercised Options: $91,983,058
Current Obligation: $51,032,675
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W91CRB24D0004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-04-02
Current End Date: 2026-08-17
Potential End Date: 2026-08-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-30
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