Interior awards $4.97M engineering services BPA call order to M.C. Dean, Inc. for RTP installation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,965,986 ($5.0M)

Contractor: M. C. Dean, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-09-23

End Date: 2026-05-15

Contract Duration: 599 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EPA BPA CALL ORDER 18 RTP INSTALL

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20004

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $5.0 million to M. C. DEAN, INC. for work described as: EPA BPA CALL ORDER 18 RTP INSTALL Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through firm-fixed-price contract type, aiming for predictable costs. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting a competitive bidding environment. 3. Risk indicators include contract duration and the nature of engineering services, requiring careful performance monitoring. 4. Performance context is tied to a broader BPA call order for RTP installation, implying a specific project need. 5. Sector positioning within engineering services highlights the demand for specialized technical expertise. 6. The contract's value is moderate within the context of federal engineering service procurements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $4.97 million for engineering services appears reasonable given the scope of a BPA call order for RTP installation. Without specific details on the deliverables, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an effort to control costs and ensure value for money by establishing a clear price for the services rendered. Benchmarking against market rates for specialized engineering services would provide further insight into the pricing efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation generally suggests a robust competitive process. This approach is intended to foster price discovery and ensure that the government receives the most advantageous offer based on both price and technical qualifications.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and encouraging a wider pool of qualified contractors to vie for the work, leading to potentially better value.

Public Impact

The Department of the Interior benefits from specialized engineering services for the installation of RTP (likely Real-Time Positioning or similar technology). This contract supports the delivery of critical infrastructure or technological upgrades within the agency. The geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, where the services are likely to be performed. Workforce implications may include the employment of skilled engineers and technicians by M.C. Dean, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in engineering projects if not clearly defined.
Dependence on contractor's technical expertise requires diligent oversight.
Timeliness of delivery is crucial for project success and agency operations.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost uncertainty.
Award to an established contractor like M.C. Dean, Inc. suggests a level of confidence in their capabilities.
Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive pricing structure.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector is a critical component of federal procurement, encompassing a wide range of specialized technical expertise. This contract falls within the broader category of professional, scientific, and technical services. Federal spending in this area supports everything from infrastructure design and construction oversight to IT system development and environmental consulting. Comparable spending benchmarks for engineering services vary widely based on the specific discipline and project complexity, but this $4.97 million award represents a significant, though not exceptionally large, investment for a specific project need.

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 for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, M.C. Dean, Inc., will likely manage the subcontracting opportunities, if any, based on their own business strategy and project requirements, rather than through a mandated set-aside program for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the designated technical point of contact within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, which stipulate deliverables and performance standards. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific project details and performance reports may be internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules
Engineering and Technical Services Contracts
Department of the Interior IT and Infrastructure Projects
Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) for R&D

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not well-defined.
Risk of schedule delays impacting agency operations.
Need for robust technical oversight to ensure quality.
Dependency on contractor's specialized expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $5.0 million to M. C. DEAN, INC.. EPA BPA CALL ORDER 18 RTP INSTALL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is M. C. DEAN, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-23. End: 2026-05-15.

What is the specific nature of the 'RTP installation' and what are the key deliverables expected from M.C. Dean, Inc. under this BPA call order?

The specific nature of the 'RTP installation' is not detailed in the provided data. RTP could stand for various technologies, such as Real-Time Positioning, Remote Terminal Unit, or another system relevant to the Department of the Interior's operations. Key deliverables would typically include the design, procurement, installation, testing, and commissioning of the specified RTP system. This might involve hardware installation, software integration, network configuration, and user training. The exact scope and deliverables are crucial for assessing the value and performance of the contract and would be detailed in the BPA call order's statement of work.

How does the $4.97 million award compare to M.C. Dean, Inc.'s typical contract values with the federal government?

M.C. Dean, Inc. is a large government contractor that frequently secures contracts in the hundreds of millions, and sometimes billions, of dollars across various federal agencies. A $4.97 million award, while substantial for a single BPA call order, represents a relatively small portion of their overall federal contract portfolio. This specific award is likely for a defined project or service period within a larger Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract or a specific task order under a broader agreement. Analyzing their historical awards would show this is a typical size for a focused engineering service task.

What are the primary risks associated with engineering services contracts of this nature and duration?

Primary risks for engineering services contracts include technical performance issues, where the delivered solution may not meet requirements or function as intended. Schedule delays are common due to unforeseen complexities, design changes, or resource constraints. Cost overruns, although mitigated by the firm-fixed-price type, can still occur if the initial scope is underestimated or if change orders are extensive. Contractor performance and quality control are also risks, necessitating robust government oversight. Furthermore, cybersecurity risks are increasingly relevant for systems involving data transmission or control.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of the Interior on engineering services, and how does this award fit within that trend?

The Department of the Interior (DOI) consistently spends significant amounts on engineering and technical services to support its diverse mission, which includes managing natural resources, infrastructure, and land. Historical spending patterns show a regular need for engineering expertise in areas like construction, environmental remediation, geological surveys, and IT systems. A $4.97 million award for a specific installation project aligns with the typical scale of task orders or call orders issued under larger BPA or IDIQ vehicles. It reflects a targeted investment rather than a broad programmatic expenditure, fitting within the DOI's ongoing operational and modernization needs.

Given the 'full and open competition' award, what does the absence of specific bidder numbers imply for price discovery and potential savings?

The absence of specific bidder numbers in the provided data makes it difficult to definitively assess the degree of price discovery achieved. However, 'full and open competition' theoretically maximizes the potential for price discovery by allowing any qualified vendor to compete. If only a few bidders responded, it might suggest limited market interest or specialized requirements that narrowed the field. Conversely, if many bidders participated, the competition likely drove prices down effectively. Without knowing the number of bids received, we infer that the process aimed for optimal price discovery, but the actual outcome is not quantifiable from this data alone.

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1765 GREENSBORO STATION PL, TYSONS, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,325,027

Exercised Options: $4,992,986

Current Obligation: $4,965,986

Actual Outlays: $2,967,544

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 12

Total Subaward Amount: $1,553,459

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D0420A0009

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline