DoD's $48M ATSS Bridge Contract Awarded to Amentum Technology, Inc. via Not Competed Method
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $48,007,006 ($48.0M)
Contractor: Amentum Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2014-08-01
End Date: 2015-04-30
Contract Duration: 272 days
Daily Burn Rate: $176.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF ATSS BRIDGE CONTRACT
Place of Performance
Location: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21005
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $48.0 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF ATSS BRIDGE CONTRACT Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $48M for engineering services. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Risk of limited market research and potential overpayment due to lack of competition. 4. IT sector services, specifically engineering, are critical for defense operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure, combined with a sole-source award, makes a direct pricing assessment difficult. Without competitive bids, it's hard to determine if the $48M represents fair market value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This method bypasses the competitive process, potentially limiting price discovery and leading to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these engineering services.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may have overpaid due to the absence of competitive bidding. The Department of Defense relies on these services, impacting operational readiness. Lack of transparency in the procurement process can erode public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Time and Materials pricing
- Lack of competition
- No small business participation reported
Positive Signals
- Essential engineering services for the Army
- Contract awarded to an established company
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under engineering services within the broader IT and defense sectors. Benchmarks for similar sole-source engineering contracts are difficult to establish without competitive data, but the value is substantial.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. This represents a missed opportunity for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED' designation warrants further oversight to ensure the justification for bypassing competition was sound and that the pricing was appropriately scrutinized.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for inflated costs due to sole-source award.
- Lack of transparency in the procurement process.
- Absence of small business participation.
- Risk associated with Time and Materials pricing without competition.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $48.0 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF ATSS BRIDGE CONTRACT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $48.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-08-01. End: 2015-04-30.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and was a thorough market analysis conducted to ensure no other capable vendors could provide the services?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of available competition. A thorough market analysis is crucial to validate these claims. Without this information, it's difficult to assess if the government received the best possible value and if alternative solutions were adequately explored before committing taxpayer funds.
How was the 'Time and Materials' pricing structure managed to prevent cost overruns, especially in the absence of competitive pressure?
Time and Materials contracts can be susceptible to cost overruns without strong oversight. Agencies typically implement measures like detailed tracking of labor hours, material costs, and established ceiling prices. However, the lack of competition in this sole-source award makes it harder to benchmark against industry standards and ensure optimal cost-effectiveness for the government.
What mechanisms were in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of the engineering services provided under this contract, given the sole-source nature?
Effectiveness and quality are typically ensured through performance metrics, regular reviews, and clear deliverables outlined in the contract. For sole-source contracts, robust government oversight and acceptance criteria are even more critical. Without competitive benchmarks, the government must rely heavily on its own evaluation processes to confirm that the services met all requirements and provided adequate value.
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 COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc (UEI: 074103508)
Address: 600 WILLIAM NORTHERN BLVD, TULLAHOMA, TN, 37388
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $53,026,020
Exercised Options: $53,026,020
Current Obligation: $48,007,006
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W91CRB14D0017
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-08-01
Current End Date: 2015-04-30
Potential End Date: 2015-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-01-10
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