DoD's Biological Threat Reduction Program in Kazakhstan: $237.7M Spent with Amentum Government Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $237,693,939 ($237.7M)
Contractor: Amentum Government Services, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-09-30
End Date: 2016-11-30
Contract Duration: 2,618 days
Daily Burn Rate: $90.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: BIOLOGICAL THREAT REDUCTION PROGRAM IN KAZAHKSTAN
Place of Performance
Location: GERMANTOWN, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20876
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $237.7 million to AMENTUM GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC. for work described as: BIOLOGICAL THREAT REDUCTION PROGRAM IN KAZAHKSTAN Key points: 1. Significant investment in biological threat reduction, indicating a critical national security focus. 2. Sole awardee Amentum Government Services highlights potential concentration or specialized capability. 3. Long contract duration (2009-2016) suggests sustained program needs and execution. 4. Cost-plus award fee contract type allows for flexibility but requires robust oversight. 5. High spending level warrants scrutiny for efficiency and effectiveness in threat reduction.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Cost Plus Award Fee structure can lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed tightly. Benchmarking against similar international biological threat reduction programs is difficult due to unique geopolitical and technical factors.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple bidders were considered. However, the single awardee, Amentum Government Services, raises questions about the competitive landscape and whether the best value was truly achieved.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were utilized for a critical national security program. The effectiveness of the spending in achieving biological threat reduction goals is paramount to justifying the investment.
Public Impact
Enhances global biosecurity by reducing risks from biological agents. Supports international cooperation in preventing proliferation of dangerous pathogens. Contributes to U.S. national security by mitigating foreign biological threats. Potential for technology transfer and capacity building in partner nations. Requires ongoing monitoring to ensure program objectives are met effectively.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus award fee structure requires diligent oversight to control costs.
- Single awardee may indicate limited competition or specialized expertise.
- Long contract duration necessitates performance monitoring and potential re-competition.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical national security and global health concern.
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Program aims to reduce biological threats, a high-priority area.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code, often encompassing specialized scientific and technical support. Spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of biological threat reduction programs.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no small business participation in this specific contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were available or if the nature of the work inherently favored larger contractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates robust oversight from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency to ensure performance targets are met and costs are controlled. Regular performance reviews and audits are crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Single awardee raises questions about competitive intensity.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, md, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $237.7 million to AMENTUM GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC.. BIOLOGICAL THREAT REDUCTION PROGRAM IN KAZAHKSTAN
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMENTUM GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Threat Reduction Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $237.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-09-30. End: 2016-11-30.
What specific biological threat reduction activities were undertaken in Kazakhstan under this contract, and how were their outcomes measured against program objectives?
The contract likely involved activities such as securing or eliminating dangerous biological agents, enhancing biosafety and biosecurity infrastructure, and training local personnel. Measuring outcomes would involve tracking the reduction in accessible pathogens, improvements in laboratory safety standards, and the successful transfer of knowledge and capabilities to Kazakhstani authorities, all contributing to the overarching goal of preventing the misuse or accidental release of biological materials.
Given the sole award to Amentum Government Services, what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential cost overruns or inefficiencies?
Despite full and open competition, the single award necessitates stringent oversight. The agency likely employed detailed cost analysis, established clear performance metrics tied to award fees, and conducted regular performance reviews. Independent cost estimates and benchmarking against similar, albeit potentially less complex, international technical assistance programs would also be critical to validating pricing and ensuring value for taxpayer money.
How does the success of this program in Kazakhstan contribute to broader U.S. national security interests and global biosecurity efforts?
The program's success directly enhances U.S. national security by reducing the risk of biological weapons proliferation or accidental outbreaks that could have global repercussions. By partnering with Kazakhstan, the U.S. strengthens international norms against biological weapons and builds cooperative threat reduction capabilities, fostering a more stable and secure global environment. This proactive approach is more cost-effective than responding to a biological incident.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: AECOM
Address: 1200 SUMMIT AVE STE 320, FORT WORTH, TX, 76102
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $240,591,585
Exercised Options: $240,405,065
Current Obligation: $237,693,939
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HDTRA108D0006
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-09-30
Current End Date: 2016-11-30
Potential End Date: 2016-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-03-28
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