DoD's $49.5M C4ISR support contract awarded to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for engineering services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $49,461,185 ($49.5M)

Contractor: Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2011-08-26

End Date: 2012-11-25

Contract Duration: 457 days

Daily Burn Rate: $108.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Defense

Official Description: COMMAND, CONTROL, COMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTERS, INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE, RECONNAISSANCE (C4ISR) REGIONAL SUPPORT CENTERS (RSC) WORLDWIDE SUPPORT FOR PRODUCT MANAGER, ROBOTICS AND UNMANNED SENSORS (PM RUS) AND PRODUCT MANAGER, COUNTERMINE&EOD (PM CM&EOD)

Place of Performance

Location: BELCAMP, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21017

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $49.5 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: COMMAND, CONTROL, COMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTERS, INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE, RECONNAISSANCE (C4ISR) REGIONAL SUPPORT CENTERS (RSC) WORLDWIDE SUPPORT FOR PRODUCT MANAGER, ROBOTICS AND UNMANNED SENSORS (PM RUS) AND PRODUCT MANAGER, COUNTERMINE&EOD (PM CM&EOD) Key points: 1. Contract provides essential engineering services for C4ISR systems, crucial for military operations. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of 457 days indicates a medium-term support requirement. 4. The use of Time and Materials pricing may introduce cost variability. 5. The contract value is significant, reflecting the complexity and importance of C4ISR support. 6. The geographic scope is worldwide, highlighting the global nature of the supported programs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $49.5 million for a 457-day period suggests a daily rate of roughly $108,000. Benchmarking this against similar engineering support contracts for complex defense systems is challenging without more specific service details. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed closely. The absence of a specific per-unit cost makes direct value assessment difficult, but the overall expenditure indicates a substantial investment in specialized engineering expertise.

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 data shows 3 bids were received, suggesting a moderate level of competition for this requirement. While three bidders participated, the specific details of the bidding process and the number of proposals submitted are not fully detailed, making it difficult to definitively assess the intensity of the competition. However, open competition generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition, with multiple bidders, generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and encourage innovation. This approach helps ensure that the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The Department of the Army benefits from enhanced Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities. Services delivered include critical support for Product Manager, Robotics and Unmanned Sensors (PM RUS) and Product Manager, Countermine & EOD (PM CM&EOD). The contract supports worldwide operations, impacting military readiness across global theaters. The contract likely supports a specialized workforce of engineers and technical experts within MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Limited competition (3 bidders) may not have fully explored the market's pricing potential.
The specific performance metrics and deliverables are not detailed, making it hard to assess performance outcomes.
The contract's worldwide scope presents logistical and oversight challenges.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential bidder pool.
Contract supports critical C4ISR functions vital to national security.
The contractor, MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC., has a track record in defense contracting.
The contract addresses specific needs for robotics and countermine/EOD programs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting advanced defense technologies related to C4ISR. The market for defense engineering services is substantial, driven by continuous modernization and operational needs of military branches. This contract aligns with broader government spending trends in defense modernization, particularly in areas like unmanned systems and electronic warfare. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale engineering support contracts for complex defense systems, often awarded through competitive processes.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors, which is not detailed in the provided information.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Department of the Army contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be defined within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, which provide basic award information. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

C4ISR Systems Support
Robotics and Unmanned Systems Support
Countermine and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Support
Defense Engineering Services
Department of the Army Contracts
Worldwide Military Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
Moderate competition level may limit price discovery.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in provided data.
Worldwide scope introduces logistical and oversight complexity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $49.5 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. COMMAND, CONTROL, COMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTERS, INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE, RECONNAISSANCE (C4ISR) REGIONAL SUPPORT CENTERS (RSC) WORLDWIDE SUPPORT FOR PRODUCT MANAGER, ROBOTICS AND UNMANNED SENSORS (PM RUS) AND PRODUCT MANAGER, COUNTERMINE&EOD (PM CM&EOD)

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 $49.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-08-26. End: 2012-11-25.

What is the track record of MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. in performing similar C4ISR support contracts?

MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. has a history of performing defense-related contracts, including those involving engineering and technical support. While specific details on past C4ISR support contracts of similar scale and scope are not provided in this data snippet, their involvement in this award suggests they possess the requisite capabilities and experience. A deeper dive into their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any past issues on similar projects, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record. This would involve reviewing other contract awards, performance reports, and any available debriefings from competitors.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar engineering services?

Directly comparing the awarded price of approximately $49.5 million for 457 days to precise market rates for similar engineering services is difficult without detailed service descriptions and labor categories. The contract uses a Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, which inherently allows for variability based on actual hours worked and material costs. To benchmark effectively, one would need to analyze the labor rates, overhead factors, and material markups proposed by MANTECH against government cost పుస్తక (cost books), industry benchmarks for similar defense engineering roles, and potentially other T&M contracts awarded by the DoD for comparable services. The daily rate of roughly $108,000 is substantial and warrants scrutiny to ensure it aligns with fair and reasonable pricing for the specialized expertise required.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract?

The primary risk with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts do not have a ceiling on the total cost, meaning the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used. If the contractor's efficiency is low, or if the scope of work expands without proper controls, the total expenditure could significantly exceed initial estimates. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of hours and materials, and robust management of the contract's ceiling are crucial to mitigate this risk. Additionally, ensuring that the labor categories and rates are appropriate for the work being performed is vital.

How effective is the competition level (3 bidders) in ensuring value for taxpayers?

A competition level of three bidders suggests a moderate degree of competition. While it is better than a sole-source award, it may not be as robust as a scenario with five or more bidders, which typically drives prices down more aggressively. The effectiveness in ensuring value for taxpayers depends on several factors: the specificity of the government's requirements, the quality of the proposals submitted, the evaluation criteria used, and the negotiation process. If the three bidders were highly qualified and submitted competitive proposals, good value could still be achieved. However, a larger pool of bidders might have uncovered lower price points or more innovative solutions. Taxpayers benefit most when competition is intense enough to force contractors to offer their best prices and performance.

What is the historical spending pattern for C4ISR regional support centers or similar engineering services?

Historical spending on C4ISR regional support and related engineering services within the Department of Defense is substantial and generally trends upwards due to the continuous need for technological advancement and system maintenance. The Army, in particular, invests heavily in C4ISR capabilities to maintain situational awareness and command effectiveness. Analyzing past spending on similar contracts awarded to MANTECH or other prime contractors for PM RUS and PM CM&EOD programs would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and pricing structures. This contract's value of approximately $49.5 million for just over a year of support is significant, but likely falls within the expected range for specialized, high-demand defense engineering services, especially considering its worldwide scope.

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: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

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, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $86,601,407

Exercised Options: $49,461,185

Current Obligation: $49,461,185

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W15P7T06DE403

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline