MITRE Corporation's $40.4M FFRDC contract for collaboration of expertise awarded by FCC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,413,698 ($40.4M)

Contractor: THE Mitre Corporation

Awarding Agency: Federal Communications Commission

Start Date: 2019-07-01

End Date: 2023-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FFRDC - BUILDING A COLLABORATION OF EXPERTISE (COE)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20554

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Federal Communications Commission obligated $40.4 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION for work described as: FFRDC - BUILDING A COLLABORATION OF EXPERTISE (COE) Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a robust market. 2. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 3. Duration of 1460 days indicates a long-term need for these specialized services. 4. The contract value is significant, reflecting the importance of the services provided. 5. Performance period spans across multiple fiscal years, allowing for sustained support. 6. The FFRDC designation implies a unique relationship focused on objective technical advice.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $40.4 million over approximately four years represents a substantial investment. Benchmarking against similar FFRDC contracts requires detailed analysis of scope and deliverables, but the consistent award to MITRE suggests perceived value. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure necessitates careful oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and fixed fees are justified by performance. Without specific comparable data, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing, but the competitive award process provides some assurance of fair market value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through a full and open competition process, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The open competition suggests that the FCC sought the best possible solution from the broadest range of potential providers.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings and ensures that the government receives the most advantageous terms available in the market.

Public Impact

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benefits from specialized technical expertise and research capabilities. Services delivered likely support the FCC's mission in areas such as spectrum management, technology policy, and regulatory analysis. The contract's impact is primarily national, supporting federal regulatory functions. Workforce implications include the engagement of highly skilled scientists, engineers, and policy experts through the FFRDC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require diligent oversight to prevent potential cost creep.
The broad nature of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' could lead to scope definition challenges.
Reliance on a single FFRDC contractor may limit exposure to diverse innovative approaches over time.

Positive Signals

Award to a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) like MITRE ensures access to objective, independent expertise.
The full and open competition process indicates a structured approach to selecting a capable provider.
The long contract duration suggests a stable and ongoing need for critical support services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically under NAICS code 541990. This broad category encompasses a wide range of specialized services. FFRDCs, like the one operated by MITRE, play a crucial role in providing government agencies with objective, in-depth analysis and research capabilities that are often not available internally. Spending in this sector is significant across federal agencies, supporting everything from R&D to policy analysis and technical consulting.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included specific small business set-asides. As a large contract awarded to a major FFRDC contractor, the primary focus is likely on specialized expertise rather than small business participation goals. However, MITRE, like many large organizations, may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specific components or services, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial and performance monitoring is essential. The FFRDC structure itself implies a level of inherent oversight due to the unique relationship and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting mechanisms, though specific details of ongoing oversight activities are not publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

Federal Research and Development Contracts
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
FFRDC Support Contracts
Information Technology and Communications Policy Support

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight.
Broad service category may lack specificity.
Reliance on a single FFRDC provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Federal Communications Commission awarded $40.4 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION. FFRDC - BUILDING A COLLABORATION OF EXPERTISE (COE)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE MITRE CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Federal Communications Commission (Federal Communications Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $40.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-07-01. End: 2023-06-30.

What is the historical spending trend for this specific FFRDC contract with the FCC?

The provided data indicates a total award of $40,413,698 for this contract, with a start date of July 1, 2019, and an end date of June 30, 2023, spanning 1460 days. This suggests an average annual spending of approximately $10.1 million. Without historical data prior to this award or subsequent awards for the same function, it's difficult to establish a trend. However, the consistent award to MITRE implies a sustained need and potentially recurring funding for these FFRDC services by the FCC over time. Further analysis would require access to historical contract databases covering previous periods or similar contracts.

How does the cost structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for FFRDC services?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are common for research and development or services where the scope is not precisely defined at the outset, which is often the case with FFRDC work. For FFRDCs, the fixed fee is intended to compensate the contractor for their overhead and profit. Benchmarking CPFF contracts is complex as it depends heavily on the specific services, risk, and complexity. While CPFF can incentivize efficiency, it also carries a risk of cost overruns if not managed diligently. Agencies often use FFRDCs precisely because of their unique, objective capabilities, and the fee structure is negotiated to reflect this. Compared to fixed-price contracts, CPFF offers more flexibility but requires robust government oversight to control costs and ensure value.

What specific technical or policy areas does this FFRDC contract enable the FCC to address?

While the contract title 'FFRDC - BUILDING A COLLABORATION OF EXPERTISE (COE)' and the NAICS code '541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' are broad, FFRDCs like MITRE typically support agencies in complex, long-term strategic initiatives. For the FCC, this could involve areas such as advanced spectrum management technologies, cybersecurity for critical communications infrastructure, analysis of emerging communication technologies (e.g., 5G, satellite internet), development of technical standards, and providing objective assessments for regulatory policy decisions. The 'Collaboration of Expertise' suggests a focus on bringing together diverse technical knowledge to solve multifaceted challenges faced by the FCC.

What is MITRE Corporation's track record in managing FFRDC contracts for federal agencies?

MITRE Corporation is one of the most established and respected FFRDC sponsors, managing multiple FFRDCs for various government agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and civilian agencies like the FCC. Their track record is generally characterized by providing objective, high-quality technical analysis, research, and systems engineering support. MITRE's FFRDCs are known for their long-term strategic focus and ability to tackle complex national challenges. Performance on specific contracts can vary, but their overall reputation as a trusted advisor and technical integrator is strong, underpinned by decades of experience and a commitment to public service.

Are there any specific performance metrics or deliverables associated with this contract that indicate its success?

The provided data does not include specific performance metrics or deliverables for this contract. However, FFRDC contracts typically involve deliverables such as technical reports, studies, analyses, recommendations, prototypes, and participation in working groups. Success is often measured by the quality, objectivity, and impact of these deliverables on the agency's decision-making and mission execution. For the FCC, successful outcomes might include improved spectrum allocation policies, enhanced cybersecurity postures for communication networks, or well-informed regulatory frameworks for new technologies. The renewal or continuation of such contracts often serves as an implicit indicator of satisfactory performance.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7515 COLSHIRE DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $52,696,413

Exercised Options: $40,413,698

Current Obligation: $40,413,698

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 13

Total Subaward Amount: $5,645,281

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75FCMC18D0047

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline