DoD's $23.6M Mission Support Services Contract Awarded to Amentum Technology, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,578,848 ($23.6M)
Contractor: Amentum Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2008-10-01
End Date: 2009-01-31
Contract Duration: 122 days
Daily Burn Rate: $193.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Defense
Official Description: MISSION SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21005
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $23.6 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: MISSION SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a broad market search. 2. The contract duration of 122 days is relatively short, indicating a specific, time-bound need. 3. Awarded as 'Other Direct Costs' (ODC) with a Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure. 4. The base award amount is $19.3M, with potential for growth. 5. This contract falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330). 6. The contractor, Amentum Technology, Inc., has a significant presence in government contracting. 7. The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, a major component of the DoD.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The base award of $19.3M for 122 days of mission support services requires careful benchmarking. Without specific deliverables or labor categories, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the T&M pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Comparing this to similar short-term, specialized support contracts within the DoD would be necessary for a more definitive valuation. The relatively low number of bids (3) might suggest limited market interest or specific technical requirements.
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 solicitation resulted in three bids, which is a moderate level of competition. While more than a sole-source or limited competition, three bidders may not represent the full spectrum of market capabilities, potentially impacting price discovery. The government's ability to secure competitive pricing depends on the attractiveness of the solicitation and the perceived value of the contract.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to drive down prices through market forces. However, with only three bids, the potential for significant cost savings may be constrained compared to scenarios with a larger number of competing firms.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army, receiving essential mission support services. Services delivered likely include technical, engineering, or program management support critical to military operations. The geographic impact is concentrated within the operational areas of the contracting Army unit, likely within Maryland based on the 'ST' and 'SN' codes. Workforce implications may involve specialized technical personnel provided by Amentum Technology, Inc., augmenting government capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost escalation due to Time and Materials pricing structure if not rigorously managed.
- Limited competition (3 bids) may have restricted optimal price discovery.
- Short contract duration could indicate a stop-gap measure, potentially leading to future contract instability.
- Lack of detailed public information on specific deliverables makes assessing true performance value difficult.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential bidder pool.
- Contractor (Amentum Technology, Inc.) is an established entity with experience in government services.
- The contract addresses a specific mission support need for the Department of the Army.
- The award signifies a commitment to fulfilling critical operational requirements.
Sector Analysis
Mission support services, particularly those involving engineering and technical expertise, are a critical component of the defense sector's operational readiness. The market for these services is substantial, with numerous large and small businesses vying for government contracts. This specific contract, valued at approximately $19.3M base for a short duration, fits within the broader landscape of specialized support services procured by the DoD. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other T&M contracts for similar engineering or technical support within the Army or other defense agencies.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the 'SB' flag is false. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or set-aside benefits for small businesses stemming from this specific award. The primary contractor, Amentum Technology, Inc., is a large business. Any subcontracting would be at the discretion of the prime contractor, and its impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on Amentum's subcontracting plan, which is not detailed here.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the relevant program management office within the Department of the Army. As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous monitoring of labor hours and direct costs is crucial to ensure compliance and prevent overspending. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Mission Support
- Army Engineering Services
- Time and Materials Contracts
- Defense Logistics Agency Support Contracts
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing structure.
- Limited competition may have restricted optimal price discovery.
- Lack of detailed public information on specific deliverables hinders value assessment.
Tags
defense, department-of-the-army, mission-support-services, engineering-services, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition, amentum-technology-inc, maryland, large-contract, professional-scientific-and-technical-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $23.6 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC.. MISSION SUPPORT SERVICES
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 $23.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-10-01. End: 2009-01-31.
What specific engineering or technical services does Amentum Technology, Inc. provide under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'MISSION SUPPORT SERVICES' under NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services). However, the specific nature of these services is not detailed. Typically, for such contracts, this could encompass a range of activities including systems engineering, technical support, program management assistance, logistics analysis, or specialized consulting required to support Army operations. The 'Other Direct Costs' (ODC) component suggests reimbursement for specific, allowable costs incurred by the contractor in performing these services, in addition to labor costs billed under the Time and Materials (T&M) structure. Without access to the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), the precise deliverables and technical functions remain unspecified.
How does the $19.3M base award compare to similar mission support contracts for the Army?
Benchmarking the $19.3M base award requires comparing it against similar mission support contracts awarded by the Department of the Army. Key comparison factors include contract duration, scope of services (e.g., engineering, IT, logistics), pricing structure (T&M, Firm-Fixed-Price), and the number of bidders. Given this contract's short duration (122 days) and T&M structure, it might represent a specific, short-term requirement rather than a large-scale, long-term program. A direct comparison to other T&M contracts for engineering services with similar durations and complexity would be most relevant. However, without more granular data on comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively state if $19.3M represents a high, low, or average value for this specific type of short-term support.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this nature?
The primary risk associated with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, including this $23.6M DoD mission support award, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the cost of materials. This structure places the onus on the government to closely monitor contractor effort and expenditures. If not managed diligently, contractors may be incentivized to extend task durations or increase labor hours, leading to costs exceeding initial estimates. Effective oversight, including detailed tracking of hours, validation of work performed, and robust reporting mechanisms, is critical to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives fair value for its investment.
What is Amentum Technology, Inc.'s track record with the Department of Defense?
Amentum Technology, Inc. is a significant contractor for the Department of Defense (DoD). As a large, established company, it holds numerous contracts across various defense agencies and branches, providing a wide array of services including mission support, engineering, logistics, and facility management. Its track record with the DoD is generally characterized by extensive experience and a substantial portfolio of awarded contracts. Performance history on specific contracts, including past performance evaluations and any disputes or contract modifications, would provide a more nuanced view. However, its continued success in securing large DoD contracts suggests a generally positive and capable relationship with the department.
How does the competition level (3 bidders) impact the government's ability to secure competitive pricing?
A competition level involving only three bidders, as seen in this $23.6M DoD contract award, presents a moderate level of market engagement. While superior to sole-source or limited competition, it may not fully leverage the potential for aggressive pricing that a larger pool of bidders (e.g., 5-10+) could generate. The government's ability to secure competitive pricing depends on several factors: the clarity and attractiveness of the solicitation, the perceived value and risk of the contract, and the specific capabilities required, which might naturally limit the number of qualified bidders. In this case, with three bids, the government likely received offers that were considered fair and reasonable, but the potential for even lower prices might have been missed if more capable firms chose not to bid or were unaware of the opportunity.
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
Solicitation ID: W91CRB07R0029
Offers Received: 3
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, 04
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,578,848
Exercised Options: $23,578,848
Current Obligation: $23,578,848
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W91CRB08D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-10-01
Current End Date: 2009-01-31
Potential End Date: 2009-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-07-29
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