DoD's Air Force awards $25.1M for Integrated Broadcast System support to The Mission Essential Group, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,161,391 ($25.2M)

Contractor: THE Mission Essential Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-01-20

End Date: 2021-01-30

Contract Duration: 741 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: INTEGRATED BROADCAST SYSTEM ENTERPRISE SUPPORT ANNUAL SUSTAINMENT

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22033

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $25.2 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC for work described as: INTEGRATED BROADCAST SYSTEM ENTERPRISE SUPPORT ANNUAL SUSTAINMENT Key points: 1. The contract value is $25.16 million. 2. The awardee is The Mission Essential Group, LLC. 3. The contract is for Engineering Services (NAICS 541330). 4. The contract was not competed. 5. The contract duration is 741 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $25.16 million for 741 days of sustainment support appears high without a competitive benchmark. The lack of competition makes it difficult to assess if the pricing is reasonable.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded sole-source, meaning there was no competition. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this significant contract raises concerns about potential overspending and inefficient use of taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding. The sole-source nature of the award limits transparency in pricing. Essential broadcast system support may be procured at a suboptimal cost.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing

Positive Signals

Mission-critical support
Firm fixed price contract

Sector Analysis

The Department of Defense frequently procures engineering and IT support services. Benchmarks for similar sustainment contracts are typically established through competitive processes to ensure fair pricing.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award, suggesting a missed opportunity for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants further oversight to ensure the pricing is justified and that future procurements are competed whenever possible.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competitive pricing
Potential for cost overruns
Limited transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $25.2 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC. INTEGRATED BROADCAST SYSTEM ENTERPRISE SUPPORT ANNUAL SUSTAINMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC.

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 $25.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-01-20. End: 2021-01-30.

What is the justification for awarding this contract sole-source?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves a determination that only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent and compelling needs. Without further documentation, the specific reason for this sole-source award remains unclear, but it is a critical factor in assessing value.

What are the risks associated with a sole-source contract for sustainment services?

The primary risks of a sole-source contract for sustainment services include a lack of price competition, potentially leading to inflated costs for the government. It can also reduce the incentive for the contractor to innovate or improve efficiency. Furthermore, it limits the government's ability to explore alternative solutions or providers that might offer better value or performance.

How can the effectiveness of this sustainment support be measured without competition?

Effectiveness can be measured through performance metrics defined in the contract, such as system uptime, response times to issues, and successful implementation of updates. User feedback from the Air Force personnel relying on the Integrated Broadcast System is also crucial. Regular performance reviews and audits can help assess if the contractor is meeting the agreed-upon service levels, even without a competitive baseline.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12701 FAIR LAKES CIRCLE STE 580, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,161,391

Exercised Options: $25,161,391

Current Obligation: $25,161,391

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA855519D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline