DoD's $28.8M Intelligence Support Services Contract Awarded to Mission Essential Group, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,860,370 ($28.9M)

Contractor: THE Mission Essential Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2012-02-06

End Date: 2017-05-01

Contract Duration: 1,911 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT SERVICES - AFGHANISTAN

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.9 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC for work described as: INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT SERVICES - AFGHANISTAN Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1911 days (over 5 years) indicates a significant, long-term need. 3. Fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty for the government, but requires careful scope management. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers a broad range of professional services. 5. The award was a delivery order, implying it was part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 6. No specific small business set-aside was indicated for this contract. 7. The contractor, The Mission Essential Group, LLC, has secured this significant award.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without knowing the specific services rendered under the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code. The total award amount of approximately $28.8 million over five years averages to about $5.76 million per year. This figure needs to be compared against similar intelligence support contracts to determine if it represents a fair market price. The fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the government sought to control costs, but the actual value depends heavily on the quality and effectiveness of the services provided.

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 number of bidders is not specified in the provided data, but the designation suggests a robust competitive environment. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for receiving the best value by encouraging multiple companies to offer their services, driving down prices through rivalry.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely elements within the Department of Defense requiring intelligence support services. The services delivered are broadly categorized under professional, scientific, and technical support, crucial for intelligence operations. The geographic impact is likely concentrated in areas where military intelligence operations are active, potentially including overseas deployments. Workforce implications include the potential for employment of analysts, linguists, and other specialized personnel by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the services provided makes it difficult to assess performance effectiveness.
The broad NAICS code could indicate a lack of specialized focus or a need for diverse support capabilities.
The long contract duration without specific performance metrics raises questions about ongoing value assessment.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Fixed-price contract type can provide cost predictability for the government.
The contract was awarded as a delivery order, suggesting it fits within a pre-established IDIQ framework, potentially streamlining procurement.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically within the broad category of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). This sector is vital for government operations, providing specialized expertise that agencies may not possess internally. The market for intelligence support services is often characterized by a mix of large defense contractors and specialized niche firms. The total value of this contract, approximately $28.8 million over five years, represents a moderate investment within the broader federal spending on intelligence and support services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses were likely not the primary focus of this procurement, although they could potentially participate as subcontractors. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that the requirement was either competed broadly or awarded to a large business that could meet the extensive needs of the intelligence support services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Army. As a delivery order under a larger contract, oversight mechanisms would be tied to the terms of the base IDIQ contract and the specific delivery order. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, but detailed performance reviews and Inspector General involvement would depend on specific performance issues or audits.

Related Government Programs

Intelligence Support Services
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of Defense Contracts
Army Contracts
Delivery Orders
Fixed-Price Contracts

Risk Flags

Broad NAICS code may obscure specific service details and performance metrics.
Lack of information on the number of bidders limits assessment of competitive intensity.
Contract duration without explicit performance milestones requires careful monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.9 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC. INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT SERVICES - AFGHANISTAN

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 $28.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-02-06. End: 2017-05-01.

What specific intelligence support services were provided under this contract?

The provided data classifies this contract under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' This broad classification suggests a wide range of potential services, which could include tasks such as intelligence analysis, data collection and processing, linguistic support, threat assessment, operational planning support, and technical assistance related to intelligence gathering and dissemination. Without further details from the contract award itself or associated documentation, the precise nature of the services remains unspecified. However, given the Department of Defense and the context of intelligence, these services are critical for national security operations and decision-making.

How does the $28.8 million award compare to similar intelligence support contracts?

Comparing the $28.8 million award for intelligence support services to similar contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. However, as a five-year contract (approximately $5.76 million annually), it represents a significant but not exceptionally large award within the defense intelligence sector. Larger, more complex intelligence programs can run into hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. Smaller, more specialized support contracts might be in the low millions. This contract's value suggests a substantial, ongoing requirement for specialized analytical or technical support, likely for a specific mission or operational area within the Department of Defense.

What are the potential risks associated with a fixed-price contract for intelligence support?

Fixed-price contracts, while offering cost certainty to the government, can introduce risks for both parties when dealing with complex services like intelligence support. For the government, the primary risk is that the contractor may cut corners on quality or scope to maintain profitability if costs exceed estimates, potentially impacting the effectiveness of the intelligence provided. Conversely, if the contractor underestimated the effort or encountered unforeseen complexities, they could incur significant losses. Effective risk mitigation relies on a well-defined Statement of Work (SOW), clear performance metrics, and robust government oversight to ensure the contractor delivers the required quality and scope of services within the agreed-upon price.

What is the significance of this contract being a 'Delivery Order'?

The designation of this award as a 'Delivery Order' (aw: DELIVERY ORDER) is significant because it implies that this contract is a task order issued under a larger, pre-existing Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract. IDIQ contracts establish terms and conditions for services over a period, allowing agencies to issue specific orders (delivery or task orders) as needs arise. This approach streamlines the procurement process for recurring or anticipated needs. The fact that this was a delivery order suggests that The Mission Essential Group, LLC, likely held or was awarded a base IDIQ contract, and this order represents a specific call for services against that contract.

What does the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code imply about the contract's scope?

The NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is a broad residual category. It implies that the services required did not fit neatly into more specific categories like engineering, computer systems design, research and development, or management consulting. This could mean the contract encompasses a diverse set of specialized skills or a combination of services that are unique or not easily classified. For intelligence support, this might include niche analytical capabilities, specialized data processing, or support functions that blend technical and analytical expertise without conforming to a single, more defined service type.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4343 EASTON COMMONS STE 100, COLUMBUS, OH, 43219

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,860,370

Exercised Options: $28,860,370

Current Obligation: $28,860,370

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(G)

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W52P1J10D0107

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline