HII Mission Technologies Corp awarded $9.26M for Air Force acquisition security module support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,259,264 ($9.3M)

Contractor: HII Mission Technologies Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-03-03

End Date: 2026-03-14

Contract Duration: 1,837 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: FY21 / PKS / HOFFMAN/HARPER TASK ORDER AWARD FOR SUPPORT TO AFLCMC (CROWS) TO MAINTAIN THE ACQUISITION SECURITY MODULE (ASM).

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20330

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $9.3 million to HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP for work described as: FY21 / PKS / HOFFMAN/HARPER TASK ORDER AWARD FOR SUPPORT TO AFLCMC (CROWS) TO MAINTAIN THE ACQUISITION SECURITY MODULE (ASM). Key points: 1. Contract provides essential support for the Acquisition Security Module (ASM), a critical component for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC). 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The duration of the contract is approximately five years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps to control costs and provides predictability for the government. 5. The award was made to HII Mission Technologies Corp, a significant player in the defense technology sector. 6. The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it is part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $9.26 million over approximately five years appears reasonable for specialized software support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for acquisition system maintenance and security module development would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control. Without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the price point does not immediately suggest overpayment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' which implies that the initial solicitation was broad, but specific sources were later excluded, or it was a competitive process where all responsible sources could submit an offer. The details of the exclusion are not provided, but the 'full and open' designation generally suggests a robust competitive environment. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competitive nature should have driven price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging lower bids and ensuring the government receives services at a fair market price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Air Force and the AFLCMC, who will receive continued support for a critical acquisition security system. The services delivered will ensure the ongoing functionality and security of the Acquisition Security Module (ASM). This contract supports the operational readiness and efficiency of Air Force acquisition programs. The contract's impact on the workforce is likely concentrated within HII Mission Technologies Corp, potentially involving software engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and project managers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the 'exclusion of sources' in the full and open competition could mask potential limitations in the bidding pool.
The duration of the contract (nearly 5 years) requires ongoing monitoring to ensure continued value and performance.
The specific functionalities and criticality of the ASM are not detailed, making it difficult to assess the full impact of any potential performance issues.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty.
Long-term contract duration suggests a sustained need and potential for stable support.
HII Mission Technologies Corp is an established defense contractor with relevant expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Software Publishers (NAICS 511210) sector, specifically related to defense software and acquisition support. The market for specialized defense software and IT services is substantial, driven by the continuous need for modernization and security within military branches. Comparable spending often involves contracts for system development, maintenance, cybersecurity, and data management for complex defense platforms. The value of this contract is modest within the broader defense IT spending landscape.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates 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 set-aside. However, the prime contractor, HII Mission Technologies Corp, may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided information.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program management office within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Acquisition Management Systems
Air Force Logistics and Sustainment IT Support
Acquisition Security Software
Software Maintenance and Support Contracts
DoD IT Modernization Programs

Risk Flags

Competition details require further clarification regarding source exclusion.
Scope of work and specific deliverables for ASM support are not fully detailed.
Long-term contract duration necessitates ongoing performance monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $9.3 million to HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. FY21 / PKS / HOFFMAN/HARPER TASK ORDER AWARD FOR SUPPORT TO AFLCMC (CROWS) TO MAINTAIN THE ACQUISITION SECURITY MODULE (ASM).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-03-03. End: 2026-03-14.

What is the specific nature of the 'Acquisition Security Module (ASM)' and its criticality to AFLCMC operations?

The Acquisition Security Module (ASM) is a system designed to manage and secure sensitive information related to the acquisition lifecycle within the Department of Defense, particularly for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC). Its criticality lies in ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data pertaining to defense program acquisitions, which often involve classified or proprietary information. The ASM likely plays a role in controlling access, tracking changes, and maintaining audit trails for acquisition-related documentation and systems. Without more specific documentation, its exact functions could range from managing security clearances for personnel involved in acquisition programs to securing the digital infrastructure supporting these processes. Continued maintenance and support are vital to prevent security breaches and ensure the smooth operation of acquisition programs.

How does the $9.26 million contract value compare to similar support contracts for defense acquisition systems?

Comparing the $9.26 million contract value for approximately five years of support for the ASM requires context on the scope and complexity of the module. Generally, IT support contracts for specialized defense systems can range widely. For a critical module like the ASM, which likely involves security protocols and data management for acquisition programs, this value appears moderate. Similar contracts for maintaining and updating acquisition databases, security information and event management (SIEM) systems, or specialized software suites within defense agencies can often run into tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars over their lifecycle, depending on the number of users, the sensitivity of the data, and the required uptime. This specific award suggests a focused scope of support for a particular module rather than a broad system overhaul.

What are the potential risks associated with a five-year contract for software support, and how are they mitigated?

Potential risks with a five-year software support contract include technological obsolescence, vendor lock-in, performance degradation over time, and cost overruns if not managed tightly. Technological obsolescence is a risk as software and security needs evolve rapidly. Vendor lock-in can occur if the contractor develops proprietary knowledge or tools that make switching difficult. Performance degradation might happen if the contractor's resources or focus shift. Mitigation strategies include clearly defined performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) in the contract, regular performance reviews, options for contract modification or termination for cause, and potentially incorporating clauses that require knowledge transfer or documentation to reduce reliance on specific personnel. The firm-fixed-price nature of this contract also helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, provided the scope is well-defined.

What is HII Mission Technologies Corp's track record with similar government contracts, particularly within the Air Force?

HII Mission Technologies Corp (formerly Huntington Ingalls Industries' Technical Solutions division) has a significant track record of supporting government agencies, including the Department of Defense and various branches like the Air Force. They are known for providing a range of services including C5ISR, cyber, electronic warfare, and mission engineering. Their experience often involves complex systems integration, software development, and sustainment support. While specific details on past performance for the ASM are not provided here, their general profile suggests they possess the technical capabilities and security clearances necessary for such a contract. Government contract databases would provide more granular data on their past performance ratings, past performance on similar contracts, and any history of performance issues or successes.

How does the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' classification impact the interpretation of competition levels?

The classification 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' is somewhat nuanced. It indicates that the initial solicitation was intended to be broadly competitive, allowing all responsible sources to submit offers. However, 'after exclusion of sources' suggests that certain potential offerors were subsequently removed from the competition, or perhaps the initial broad solicitation was followed by a more targeted request for proposals (RFPs) to a pre-qualified list. This could occur for various reasons, such as specific technical requirements, security clearances, or prior performance evaluations. While it still implies a competitive process, the exclusion of sources might limit the breadth of competition compared to a purely 'full and open' scenario where all interested parties could bid without prior filtering. The specific reasons for exclusion are critical to understanding the true level of competition achieved.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc

Address: 8350 BROAD ST STE 1400, MC LEAN, 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: $23,103,932

Exercised Options: $23,103,932

Current Obligation: $9,259,264

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA701420D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline