DOJ awards $2.1M BPA Call to M.C. Dean for engineering services in Riverside, CA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,099,291 ($2.1M)

Contractor: M. C. Dean, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-09-16

End Date: 2026-10-14

Contract Duration: 758 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW BPA CALL - NSPS RIVERSIDE CA

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $2.1 million to M. C. DEAN, INC. for work described as: NEW BPA CALL - NSPS RIVERSIDE CA Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 758 days provides a stable period for service delivery. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The award is a BPA Call, indicating it's a task order against a larger agreement. 5. The specific NAICS code (541330) points to a focus on engineering services. 6. The contract is for services in Riverside, CA, indicating a specific geographic focus.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2.1 million for 758 days of engineering services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar engineering service contracts awarded by the U.S. Marshals Service or other DOJ components would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overruns, which is a positive indicator for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 2 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific BPA Call. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, full and open competition generally ensures a fair market price is achieved.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition, even with a limited number of bidders, is generally favorable for taxpayers as it allows for a broader range of potential cost savings compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from specialized engineering services to support its operations. Services are delivered in Riverside, California, impacting local infrastructure or facilities. The contract supports the federal government's need for engineering expertise in law enforcement support. Potential for local employment opportunities in engineering and related fields in the Riverside area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited number of bids (2) may indicate potential barriers to entry or a niche market for these specific services.
The specific nature of the engineering services required could be highly specialized, limiting the pool of qualified contractors.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, ensuring a broad base of potential offerors.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty and limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.
The BPA Call structure suggests a pre-negotiated framework agreement, potentially streamlining future procurements.

Sector Analysis

Engineering services, categorized under NAICS code 541330, represent a significant sector within professional, scientific, and technical services. This contract fits within the broader federal spending on infrastructure, facility management, and operational support for law enforcement agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other engineering service contracts awarded by federal agencies for similar geographic regions or facility types.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this BPA Call (ss: false, sb: false). While M.C. Dean, Inc. is a large business, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist and how they might impact the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Marshals Service and the Department of Justice. As a BPA Call, the underlying BPA likely has its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice - Facilities Management
U.S. Marshals Service - Operational Support
Federal Engineering Services Contracts
BPA Calls - Engineering

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential for Scope Creep
Contractor Performance Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $2.1 million to M. C. DEAN, INC.. NEW BPA CALL - NSPS RIVERSIDE CA

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 $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-16. End: 2026-10-14.

What is the track record of M.C. Dean, Inc. with the Department of Justice and similar federal agencies?

M.C. Dean, Inc. has a substantial history of contracting with various federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Department of Defense. Their portfolio often includes complex engineering, cybersecurity, and facilities management solutions. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, particularly those involving engineering services for law enforcement or secure facilities, would provide insight into their reliability and capability. Past performance evaluations, if publicly available, would be crucial for assessing their track record. A review of contract awards and completion history can indicate their ability to deliver on time and within budget for government clients.

How does the per-day cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for engineering services?

The total contract value is approximately $2,099,290.67 over 758 days, equating to roughly $2,770 per day. Benchmarking this daily rate against industry standards for engineering services, particularly those provided to federal agencies in California, is essential. Factors such as the specific type of engineering (e.g., civil, electrical, mechanical), the complexity of the project, and the required security clearances will influence the rate. Without more detailed information on the scope of services, a precise comparison is difficult. However, this daily rate can be compared to publicly available data on engineering consulting fees or task orders for similar services to assess if it falls within a reasonable range.

What are the primary risks associated with this engineering services contract?

Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep, where the requirements may expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost increases or schedule delays. Technical risks are also present, as unforeseen engineering challenges could arise during project execution. Contractor performance risk, related to M.C. Dean, Inc.'s ability to deliver the specified services effectively and on time, is another consideration. Given the fixed-price nature, cost overruns due to underestimation of effort or unforeseen complexities could impact the contractor's profitability, potentially affecting their motivation or ability to complete the work. Finally, reliance on a single BPA Call for specific services could pose a risk if the contractor fails to perform.

What is the historical spending pattern for engineering services by the U.S. Marshals Service in California?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for engineering services by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in California would provide context for this $2.1 million BPA Call. This involves reviewing past contracts awarded by the USMS for similar services within the state. Understanding the volume, value, and types of engineering services procured previously can reveal trends, identify key contractors, and highlight periods of increased or decreased spending. Such analysis helps determine if this award represents a typical expenditure or a significant deviation. It also informs whether the USMS has a consistent need for such services in the region.

How does the competition level (2 bidders) impact the value for money achieved for taxpayers?

A competition level of two bidders for this BPA Call suggests a moderate level of market interest. While more bidders generally lead to greater price competition and potentially better value for taxpayers, two bidders still indicate that the contract was not awarded on a sole-source basis. This implies that the U.S. Marshals Service sought and received at least two proposals, allowing for a comparison of technical approaches and pricing. The value for money achieved depends on how effectively the government evaluated these proposals and negotiated the final terms. If the two bids were competitive and the chosen offer represented the best value, then taxpayers benefit from a fair market price. However, a higher number of bidders could have potentially yielded even more favorable pricing.

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: 2

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: $2,099,291

Exercised Options: $2,099,291

Current Obligation: $2,099,291

Actual Outlays: $86,933

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $374,237

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15M20019AA32NP01D

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline