Department of Justice awards $254M engineering services contract to M.C. Dean, Inc. for facilities support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $254,057 ($254.1K)

Contractor: M. C. Dean, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-09-04

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 695 days

Daily Burn Rate: $366/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW TO

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $254,057.32 to M. C. DEAN, INC. for work described as: NEW TO Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in facilities engineering and maintenance. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of nearly two years indicates a need for sustained support. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. The award to a single contractor may warrant scrutiny of pricing and performance. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to a focus on engineering services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $254 million for engineering services over approximately two years appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale facilities support contracts would be necessary for a definitive value assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for the government if managed effectively. The absence of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes a detailed value-for-money assessment challenging without further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of four bidders, as suggested by the 'no' field, implies a degree of competition. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government. However, the specific details of the bidding process and the relative strengths of the proposals are not available.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition with multiple bidders generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from enhanced facilities engineering and maintenance, ensuring operational readiness. Essential services for maintaining government facilities are delivered, contributing to the safety and functionality of these sites. The primary geographic impact is likely within Virginia, where the contract is noted as being administered. The contract supports jobs within the engineering and facilities management sectors, contributing to the local and national economy.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost creep if scope is not tightly managed due to fixed-price nature.
Ensuring contractor performance meets all specified engineering and maintenance standards will require robust oversight.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical facilities support could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent process.
Firm fixed-price contract type aligns incentives for contractor efficiency.
The contractor, M.C. Dean, Inc., is a known entity in the engineering and facilities management space, potentially bringing significant experience.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader engineering services sector, which is crucial for the maintenance and operation of federal facilities. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of undertaking large-scale projects. The value of this award is significant, placing it among major federal contracts for facilities support. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large federal contracts for engineering, maintenance, and construction services across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided 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 arising from a small business set-aside. The primary impact on the small business ecosystem would be through potential indirect opportunities if M.C. Dean, Inc. chooses to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses, which is not guaranteed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Marshals Service contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures will be defined within the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance data may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Buildings Fund
General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service
Department of Defense Facilities Engineering
Department of Homeland Security Facilities Management

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Risk of contractor underperformance impacting facility operations.
Need for strong government oversight to ensure quality and compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $254,057.32 to M. C. DEAN, INC.. NEW TO

Who is the contractor on this award?

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

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $254,057.32.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-04. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the track record of M.C. Dean, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in facilities engineering and maintenance?

M.C. Dean, Inc. is a well-established government contractor with a significant history of performance in engineering, systems integration, and facilities management. They have secured numerous large federal contracts across various agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and others. Their experience often involves complex projects related to critical infrastructure, secure facilities, and building systems. While specific performance metrics for past contracts are not detailed here, their continued success in winning substantial federal awards suggests a generally positive track record. However, a deeper dive into past performance evaluations, any contract disputes, or award fees would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and value proposition for this specific contract.

How does the awarded price of $254 million compare to similar facilities engineering contracts awarded by the government?

A direct comparison of the $254 million award requires identifying contracts with similar scope, duration, and complexity. Federal spending databases and contract award portals can be used to benchmark this value. For instance, comparing it to other large-scale facilities operations and maintenance contracts awarded by agencies like the General Services Administration (GSA) or the Department of Defense would be relevant. Factors such as the specific types of engineering services (e.g., HVAC, electrical, plumbing, security systems), the geographic location, and the security requirements of the facilities will influence pricing. Without access to detailed comparative data on similar contracts, it's difficult to definitively state whether this award represents a premium, a fair market price, or a bargain. However, the full and open competition suggests an effort to achieve competitive pricing.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm fixed-price contract for engineering services?

The primary risk with a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract is that the contractor, M.C. Dean, Inc., may face financial losses if their costs exceed the agreed-upon price. This can incentivize them to cut corners on quality, materials, or labor to maintain profitability, potentially impacting the long-term reliability and maintenance standards of the facilities. Conversely, if the contractor significantly underestimates costs, they might seek change orders or scope adjustments, leading to cost increases for the government. Another risk is contractor underperformance, where the contractor fails to meet the required service levels or deadlines. Robust government oversight, clear performance metrics, and well-defined contract terms are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives the intended value and quality of services.

How effective is the U.S. Marshals Service in managing large-scale engineering and facilities support contracts?

The effectiveness of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in managing large-scale contracts like this one is typically assessed through their procurement processes, contract administration capabilities, and the outcomes achieved. The USMS, as part of the Department of Justice, operates under established federal acquisition regulations and employs contracting professionals. Their ability to successfully award and oversee contracts of this magnitude depends on factors such as adequate staffing, technical expertise within their program management teams, and the robustness of their oversight mechanisms. While this specific award suggests the USMS has identified a need and secured funding, a comprehensive evaluation of their management effectiveness would require analyzing past contract performance data, user satisfaction, and any instances of contract disputes or inefficiencies related to their facilities support.

What are the historical spending patterns for engineering services by the Department of Justice or the U.S. Marshals Service?

Historical spending patterns for engineering services by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) would reveal trends in their investment in facilities maintenance, upgrades, and new construction. Analyzing past contract awards for similar services (NAICS code 541330) over several fiscal years would indicate whether spending in this area is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable. This analysis could also highlight key contractors frequently utilized, the average contract values, and the types of engineering services most commonly procured. Such historical data is crucial for budget planning, identifying potential cost efficiencies, and understanding the agency's long-term strategy for managing its physical infrastructure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: ALARM, SIGNAL, SECURITY DETECTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

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: $254,057

Exercised Options: $254,057

Current Obligation: $254,057

Actual Outlays: $11,734

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15M20019AA32NP01D

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline