DoD awards $330.8M for Tactical Biometrics Systems operations and maintenance to ManTech Advanced Systems International
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $330,805,291 ($330.8M)
Contractor: Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2008-09-30
End Date: 2011-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,094 days
Daily Burn Rate: $302.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: TASK ORDER AWARD FOR "TACTICAL BIOMETRICS SYSTEMS (TBS) OPERATIONS AND USER MAINTENANCE"
Place of Performance
Location: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21005, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $330.8 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: TASK ORDER AWARD FOR "TACTICAL BIOMETRICS SYSTEMS (TBS) OPERATIONS AND USER MAINTENANCE" Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential operational support and user maintenance of tactical biometrics systems. 2. The contract duration spans over three years, indicating a significant commitment to ongoing support. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictable spending. 5. This award falls under engineering services, highlighting the technical expertise required. 6. The Department of the Army is the primary procuring agency for these critical systems.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $330.8 million over approximately three years suggests a substantial investment in biometrics technology. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering support contracts for defense systems is necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm-fixed-price structure generally indicates a commitment to cost control by the government, shifting some financial risk to the contractor. The specific nature of 'Tactical Biometrics Systems' implies specialized, potentially high-value technology requiring dedicated operational and maintenance support.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of two bids suggests a competitive environment, though the exact number of bidders can influence price discovery. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing for the government. Without knowing the specific solicitation details and the number of proposals received beyond the awardee, it's difficult to definitively assess the intensity of the competition.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and encourage innovation from multiple vendors.
Public Impact
Personnel operating and maintaining tactical biometrics systems within the Department of Defense benefit from reliable and supported equipment. The services delivered ensure the operational readiness and effectiveness of critical biometrics identification and tracking capabilities. Geographic impact is likely widespread, supporting military operations globally where tactical biometrics are deployed. Workforce implications include the need for skilled personnel to operate, maintain, and support these specialized systems, potentially involving both military and civilian roles.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price contract does not adequately account for unforeseen technical challenges or scope creep.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical biometrics system support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
- The long-term sustainment costs of advanced biometrics systems can be significant and require continuous budget allocation.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that should yield fair pricing.
- Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
- The contract duration indicates a stable, long-term need for these services, suggesting strategic importance.
- ManTech Advanced Systems International's role suggests they possess specialized expertise in this niche technology area.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting advanced defense technology. The market for biometrics systems, particularly for military and security applications, is growing due to increasing needs for identification, tracking, and access control. This award represents a significant portion of spending dedicated to the operational sustainment of such specialized systems, reflecting the broader trend of investment in defense technology and data management.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a specific set-aside. However, the prime contractor, ManTech Advanced Systems International, may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized support or components, depending on their subcontracting plan and the nature of the work required.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm-fixed-price contract terms, performance metrics, and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific operational details may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Biometric Identification Systems
- Defense Biometrics and Forensics
- Tactical Data Systems
- Military Intelligence Systems Support
- Engineering and Technical Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if scope is not well-defined.
- Dependence on contractor for critical system functionality.
- Risk of technological obsolescence in a rapidly evolving field.
Tags
defense, department-of-the-army, engineering-services, biometrics, tactical-systems, operations-and-maintenance, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, manpower-intensive, technology-support, maryland, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $330.8 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. TASK ORDER AWARD FOR "TACTICAL BIOMETRICS SYSTEMS (TBS) OPERATIONS AND USER MAINTENANCE"
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, 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 $330.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-09-30. End: 2011-09-29.
What is the historical spending trend for Tactical Biometrics Systems (TBS) operations and maintenance within the Department of the Army?
Analyzing historical spending for TBS operations and maintenance requires access to detailed budget data over multiple fiscal years. Without specific historical contract awards or budget line items for TBS, it's challenging to establish a precise trend. However, the award of a $330.8 million contract in 2008 for a duration of approximately three years suggests a significant and sustained investment in this capability. The increasing reliance on biometric technology for security and operational purposes in defense contexts generally indicates a growing, rather than shrinking, market for such services. Future spending would likely be influenced by technological advancements, evolving military requirements, and the overall defense budget.
How does the per-unit cost or operational cost of ManTech's services compare to industry benchmarks for similar biometrics system support?
Determining a precise per-unit cost or operational cost benchmark for ManTech's services is complex without detailed cost breakdowns within the contract. The $330.8 million award covers 'operations and user maintenance' for 'Tactical Biometrics Systems (TBS)'. This likely encompasses a broad range of activities, including software updates, hardware maintenance, user training, system integration, and potentially field support. Benchmarking would require comparing the total contract value against the number of systems supported, the complexity of those systems, and the scope of services provided, relative to similar contracts in the defense sector. Given the specialized nature of tactical biometrics, costs are expected to be higher than general IT support due to unique hardware, software, and security requirements.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate ManTech's performance under this contract?
While the specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, contracts of this nature typically include performance metrics tied to system availability, response times for maintenance requests, successful software updates, user satisfaction, and adherence to security protocols. For 'operations and user maintenance,' key indicators would likely focus on ensuring the TBS are functional and accessible when needed by military personnel. Performance could be measured by metrics such as Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), Mean Time To Repair (MTTR), system uptime percentages, and the successful completion rate of scheduled maintenance and user support tickets. Failure to meet these KPIs could result in contractual penalties or affect future contract awards.
What is the track record of ManTech Advanced Systems International, Inc. in supporting similar defense technology contracts?
ManTech Advanced Systems International, Inc. has a significant track record in providing a wide range of technical and engineering services to the U.S. Department of Defense and other government agencies. Their portfolio often includes areas such as C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), cybersecurity, enterprise IT, and mission systems support. Contracts involving specialized systems, operational maintenance, and engineering services are common for ManTech. Their experience in managing large, complex programs and delivering technical solutions for defense applications suggests a capability to handle the requirements of the Tactical Biometrics Systems contract. Past performance evaluations and contract awards would provide more granular detail on their specific successes and challenges in similar domains.
What are the potential risks associated with the long-term sustainment of tactical biometrics systems, and how does this contract address them?
Long-term sustainment of tactical biometrics systems presents risks such as technological obsolescence, escalating maintenance costs, integration challenges with evolving military networks, and the need for continuous security updates against emerging threats. This contract, valued at $330.8 million over approximately three years, addresses these risks by providing dedicated operational and maintenance support. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to cap costs, while the defined scope of 'operations and user maintenance' provides a framework for managing support activities. However, the contract's effectiveness in mitigating risks like obsolescence depends on provisions for technology refresh or upgrades, which may require separate funding or contract modifications. Continuous oversight and performance monitoring are crucial to ensure the systems remain effective and secure over their lifecycle.
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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Mantech International Corporation (UEI: 053518312)
Address: 12015 LEE JACKSON MEMORIAL HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $709,724,409
Exercised Options: $330,805,291
Current Obligation: $330,805,291
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W15P7T06DE403
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-09-30
Current End Date: 2011-09-29
Potential End Date: 2011-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-04-19
More Contracts from Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.
- Contractor Logistics Sustainment and Support (clss) Services for the Maintenance Repair and Supply Support for Route Clearance Vehicles (RCV), Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (mrap) Vehicles, and the United States Special Operations Command (ussocom) Vehicles (referred to AS the Mrap Family of Vehicles (FOV) of (mrap) Family of Vehicles (FOV) — $965.4M (Department of Defense)
- CLS Services: Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait — $960.1M (Department of Defense)
- Logistics' Services — $816.8M (Department of Defense)
- Award of Vehicle Engineering and Maintenance Operations (vemos) Task Order. Igf::ot::igf — $723.7M (General Services Administration)
- Alecs Task Order Award — $722.2M (General Services Administration)
View all Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc. federal contracts →
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)