DoD's $22.7M contract for AFRICOM labor services awarded to The Mission Essential Group, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,694,349 ($22.7M)

Contractor: THE Mission Essential Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2012-06-08

End Date: 2015-11-15

Contract Duration: 1,255 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FORCE PROJECTION MISSION AREA LABOR - AFRICOM

Place of Performance

Location: FORT BELVOIR, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22060

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $22.7 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC for work described as: FORCE PROJECTION MISSION AREA LABOR - AFRICOM Key points: 1. The contract value of $22.7 million over approximately 3.5 years suggests a significant investment in specialized labor for force projection. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract were robust, with 5 bidders indicating a healthy market for these services. 3. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) can introduce cost escalation risks if not managed diligently. 4. Performance context is tied to AFRICOM's mission, implying a direct link to operational effectiveness in the African theater. 5. The sector positioning is within professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically supporting defense operations. 6. The absence of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements warrants further investigation into small business participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, while allowing flexibility, can lead to higher overall costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not carefully managed. The contract's duration of over three years suggests a substantial need, but the per-unit cost for labor services is not readily available for direct comparison to market rates or similar government contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is a positive indicator for price discovery. With five bidders participating, the Department of the Army received multiple proposals, allowing for a comparative assessment of technical capabilities and pricing. The level of competition suggests that the market has several capable providers for these specialized labor services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and improve service quality, ensuring the government receives good value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. military forces operating under AFRICOM, who receive essential support labor for mission execution. Services delivered include translation and interpretation, crucial for communication and operational effectiveness in diverse linguistic environments. The geographic impact is focused on the U.S. Africa Command's area of responsibility, supporting U.S. interests and operations across the continent. Workforce implications involve the provision of specialized personnel, potentially including linguists and cultural advisors, to support military objectives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess true value for money.
No explicit small business set-aside or subcontracting goals could limit small business participation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
Multiple bidders (5) suggest a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
Contract supports a critical mission area (Force Projection) for AFRICOM.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting defense and intelligence operations. The market for translation and interpretation services is robust, driven by government needs for global engagement and operational support. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for similar linguistic and support services across various Department of Defense commands and agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements. This suggests that the primary awardee, The Mission Essential Group, LLC, was not mandated to engage small businesses for a portion of the work. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors on a voluntary basis or if opportunities were missed for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be established through the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance data may be less accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Language Interpretation and Translation Enterprise (DLITE)
Intelligence Support Services
Special Operations Forces Support Contracts
Logistics and Support Services for Combatant Commands
Professional and Technical Services for DoD

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost overrun risks.
Limited public data on specific performance metrics hinders a full value-for-money assessment.
Absence of explicit small business participation goals may limit opportunities for smaller firms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $22.7 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC. FORCE PROJECTION MISSION AREA LABOR - AFRICOM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, 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 $22.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-06-08. End: 2015-11-15.

What is the track record of The Mission Essential Group, LLC with government contracts, particularly within the Department of Defense?

The Mission Essential Group, LLC has a history of securing and performing on government contracts, primarily within the defense and intelligence sectors. They specialize in providing linguist, intelligence, and mission support services. Their past performance often involves supporting U.S. military operations in various theaters, including areas requiring significant cultural and linguistic expertise. While specific details on contract performance metrics for this particular AFRICOM contract are not publicly detailed, their sustained presence in the market suggests a generally satisfactory performance history. However, a comprehensive review would involve examining past performance evaluations, any contract disputes, and the scope of their previous engagements to fully assess their track record.

How does the $22.7 million contract value compare to similar translation and interpretation services contracts awarded by the Department of Defense?

The $22.7 million value for this contract, spanning approximately 3.5 years, places it as a significant, but not exceptionally large, award for specialized labor services within the Department of Defense. Larger, enterprise-wide contracts for translation and interpretation services, such as the Defense Language Interpretation and Translation Enterprise (DLITE), have values in the billions of dollars. However, for specific regional or mission-focused requirements like AFRICOM's force projection labor, $22.7 million represents a substantial commitment. Comparisons would ideally be made against contracts of similar duration, scope (e.g., geographic focus, specific service requirements), and agency (e.g., other combatant commands or service branches) to provide a more precise benchmark.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for labor services, and how might they manifest in this case?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is the potential for cost escalation. While the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs, the fixed fee provides a guaranteed profit margin. This structure can incentivize contractors to incur higher costs, as their profit is not directly tied to cost savings. For this AFRICOM contract, risks could include scope creep, inefficient labor utilization, or unexpected operational challenges that drive up costs beyond initial projections. Effective oversight, rigorous cost tracking, and clear definition of allowable costs are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government does not overpay for the services rendered.

What does the 'FORCE PROJECTION MISSION AREA LABOR' designation imply for the services provided under this contract?

The 'FORCE PROJECTION MISSION AREA LABOR' designation indicates that the services provided are critical for enabling the deployment, sustainment, and operational readiness of U.S. forces within the AFRICOM area of responsibility. This labor likely supports activities essential for projecting military power, such as logistical coordination, intelligence gathering, communication, cultural liaison, and potentially security support. It implies that the personnel contracted are integral to the command's ability to rapidly deploy and effectively operate in the African theater, addressing complex geopolitical and operational environments.

Given the contract's duration and value, what are the potential historical spending patterns for similar services within AFRICOM or the Department of the Army?

Historical spending patterns for similar services within AFRICOM and the Department of the Army often show a consistent need for specialized support labor, particularly in regions with complex security and diplomatic challenges. Contracts for linguists, cultural advisors, and operational support personnel are common. Spending can fluctuate based on geopolitical events, shifts in strategic priorities, and the specific operational tempo. The $22.7 million over 3.5 years suggests a steady, ongoing requirement rather than a surge-driven need. Analyzing past contracts for AFRICOM's mission support, or similar requirements within other regional commands, would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of services procured.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 541930 (Translation and Interpretation Services) in understanding the scope of this contract?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541930 specifically identifies 'Translation and Interpretation Services.' This code is crucial as it defines the primary business activity for which the contract was awarded. It signifies that the core services procured involve converting written or spoken material from one language to another, and facilitating communication between individuals or groups speaking different languages. While the contract title mentions 'FORCE PROJECTION MISSION AREA LABOR,' the NAICS code clarifies that the essential function being purchased is linguistic and interpretive support, which is vital for military operations, diplomatic engagements, and intelligence activities in diverse environments.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Translation and Interpretation Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: W911W411R0003

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6525 WEST CAMPUS OVAL SUITE 101, NEW ALBANY, OH, 43054

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,828,000

Exercised Options: $27,828,000

Current Obligation: $22,694,349

Contract Characteristics

Consolidated Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W911W411D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline