DoD's $233.8M C4ISR Systems Engineering Task Order Awarded to ManTech

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $233,858,160 ($233.9M)

Contractor: Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2012-09-26

End Date: 2014-07-24

Contract Duration: 666 days

Daily Burn Rate: $351.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE FIELD SOFTWARE AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO C4ISR PROGRAMS OF RECORD, FIELDED PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICER (PEO) C3T BATTLE COMMAND SYSTEMS, PEO INTELLIGENCE ELECTRONIC WARFARE (IEW) TACTICAL SYSTEMS, PEO ENTERPRISE INFORMATION SYSTEMS (EIS) TACTICAL SYSTEMS, JOINT AND COALITION SYSTEMS, AND VARIOUS PROJECT MANAGER (PM) MISSION CRITICAL DEFENSE SYSTEMS (MCDS). THIS SUPPORT SPECIFICALLY PERTAINS TO COMMUNICATIONS, RELATED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, NETWORKS, DATABASES, STRATEGIC AND TACTICAL VIDEO-TELECONFERENCING SYSTEMS, NIPR/ SECRET INTERNET PROTOCOL ROUTER NETWORK (SIPRNET) SUSTAINMENT SUPPORT, AND WEB BASED APPLICATIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21005

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $233.9 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE FIELD SOFTWARE AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO C4ISR PROGRAMS OF RECORD, FIELDED PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICER (PEO) C3T BATTLE COMMAND SYSTEMS, PEO INTELLIGENCE ELECTRONIC WARFARE (IEW) TACTICAL SYSTEMS, PEO ENTERPRISE INFORMATION SYST… Key points: 1. Focuses on critical C4ISR programs, including Battle Command, EW, and EIS tactical systems. 2. Encompasses a broad range of IT and communications support, from networks to VTC. 3. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. Duration of 666 days indicates a substantial, medium-term support requirement. 5. Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 6. ManTech Advanced Systems International, Inc. is the sole awardee for this task order.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $233.8 million over 666 days suggests a significant investment in specialized engineering support. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale C4ISR system engineering contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure, while common for complex R&D and engineering, carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not rigorously overseen. The total value appears reasonable for the breadth of systems and services covered, assuming high-quality delivery.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified contractors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this approach generally fosters competitive pricing and encourages a wider pool of talent. The open competition suggests the government sought the best value and technical solution available in the market for these complex C4ISR systems.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it is designed to drive down costs through market forces and ensure the government receives competitive pricing for essential services.

Public Impact

Provides essential field software and systems engineering support to critical C4ISR programs within the Department of Defense. Enhances the functionality and sustainment of Battle Command Systems, Tactical Systems, and Joint/Coalition Systems. Supports vital communication, IT, network, and database infrastructure for military operations. Ensures the operational readiness of strategic and tactical video-teleconferencing systems. Contributes to the sustainment of NIPR and SIPRNET, crucial for secure military communications. Impacts the effectiveness and efficiency of various Project Manager Mission Critical Defense Systems (PM MCDS).

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value for money.
The broad scope of C4ISR systems supported could present integration challenges.
Reliance on a single contractor for this task order limits flexibility if issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Supports critical defense systems, contributing to national security.
Task order addresses a wide range of essential IT and communication needs.
Contract duration suggests a stable, long-term requirement for these services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4ISR) systems. The C4ISR market is a significant segment of the defense industry, characterized by complex technological integration and high demand for specialized expertise. Spending in this area is driven by the need for advanced situational awareness, secure communication, and effective battlefield management. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale systems engineering and integration contracts for defense programs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large task order awarded through full and open competition, it is likely that ManTech Advanced Systems International, Inc. may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific requirements or leverage specialized capabilities. However, without explicit subcontracting plans or goals detailed in the award data, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would typically fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices, responsible for ensuring contractor performance and adherence to contract terms. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates robust financial oversight to monitor expenditures and prevent cost overruns. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements and potential reviews by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the Department of Defense Inspector General (IG) if performance or cost issues arise.

Related Government Programs

PEO C3T Battle Command Systems
PEO IEW Tactical Systems
PEO EIS Tactical Systems
Joint and Coalition Systems
PM Mission Critical Defense Systems (MCDS)

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
Broad scope of C4ISR systems may present integration and management challenges.
Limited public information on specific performance metrics for this task order.
Sole awardee for this task order could limit flexibility if issues arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $233.9 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE FIELD SOFTWARE AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO C4ISR PROGRAMS OF RECORD, FIELDED PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICER (PEO) C3T BATTLE COMMAND SYSTEMS, PEO INTELLIGENCE ELECTRONIC WARFARE (IEW) TACTICAL SYSTEMS, PEO ENTERPRISE INFORMATION SYSTEMS (EIS) TACTICAL SYSTEMS, JOINT AND COALITION SYSTEMS, AND VARIOUS PROJECT MANAGER (PM) MISSION CRITICAL DEFENSE SYSTEMS (MCDS). THIS SUPPORT SPECIFICALLY PERTAINS TO COMMUNICATIONS, RELATED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, NET

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 $233.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-09-26. End: 2014-07-24.

What is ManTech Advanced Systems International, Inc.'s track record with similar C4ISR systems engineering contracts?

ManTech Advanced Systems International, Inc. has a significant history of supporting U.S. defense and intelligence agencies with a wide range of technology and engineering services, including C4ISR systems. Their portfolio often includes software development, systems integration, cybersecurity, and sustainment support for complex military platforms. While specific details on past C4ISR engineering task orders of this exact scope and value are not provided in this dataset, ManTech's general experience suggests a capability to handle such requirements. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any reported issues on similar programs would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record for this specific task order.

How does the $233.8 million value compare to similar C4ISR systems engineering contracts awarded by the DoD?

The $233.8 million value for a 666-day task order focused on C4ISR field software and systems engineering is substantial, reflecting the complexity and critical nature of the supported programs. Without access to a comprehensive database of all comparable contracts, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, large-scale systems engineering and integration contracts for major defense programs often range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. This particular award appears to be within the upper range for a single task order of this duration, suggesting a significant scope of work encompassing multiple PEOs and critical defense systems.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for this type of service?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, like the one awarded to ManTech, is the potential for cost overruns. While the 'fixed fee' provides a defined profit margin for the contractor, the 'cost plus' element means the government pays the contractor's allowable costs. If the contractor's costs exceed initial estimates due to unforeseen technical challenges, scope creep, or inefficient performance, the total contract value can increase significantly beyond the initial target. Robust government oversight, detailed cost tracking, and clear definition of allowable costs are crucial to mitigate this risk and ensure the government receives value for its expenditure.

How effective is full and open competition in ensuring value for money for complex defense IT and engineering services?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money, especially for complex defense IT and engineering services. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, it maximizes the potential for competitive pricing and encourages innovation. This process typically leads to a wider range of technical solutions and allows the government to select the offer that provides the best overall value, considering both technical merit and cost. However, the effectiveness hinges on the government's ability to clearly define requirements and evaluate proposals rigorously. For highly specialized services, ensuring a sufficient number of capable bidders can sometimes be a challenge.

What are the potential implications of this contract on the sustainment and modernization of DoD's C4ISR capabilities?

This contract is directly aimed at providing field software and systems engineering support, which is crucial for the sustainment and modernization of DoD's C4ISR capabilities. By ensuring these systems are properly maintained, updated, and integrated, the contract contributes to the operational readiness and effectiveness of warfighters. It supports the ongoing lifecycle management of critical systems, addressing issues like software obsolescence, interoperability challenges, and the integration of new technologies. Ultimately, this support helps maintain the U.S. military's technological advantage in command, control, communications, and intelligence.

Are there any specific performance concerns or positive indicators highlighted in the award data for ManTech on this contract?

The provided award data does not contain specific performance concerns or positive indicators for ManTech on this particular contract. It primarily details the contract's basic attributes: awardee, value, duration, type, and competition level. To assess performance, one would need to review post-award performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), contract modifications, or any official reports from oversight bodies like the DoD Inspector General. The data itself is neutral regarding ManTech's execution of this specific task order.

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: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

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: $233,858,160

Exercised Options: $233,858,160

Current Obligation: $233,858,160

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W15P7T06DE403

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline