DoD's $273M UCA Contract with MITRE Corporation for Technical Services: A Deep Dive
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $273,467,254 ($273.5M)
Contractor: THE Mitre Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2008-12-01
End Date: 2012-10-01
Contract Duration: 1,400 days
Daily Burn Rate: $195.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: UCA
Place of Performance
Location: BEDFORD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01730
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $273.5 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION for work described as: UCA Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $273.47 million awarded to THE MITRE CORPORATION. 2. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). 3. Contract awarded under 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status, raising questions about competition. 4. The contract spans from December 1, 2008, to October 1, 2012, with a duration of 1400 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is 'COST NO FEE', which can be complex to assess value against. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively benchmark pricing effectiveness.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was awarded as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of robust competition in this $273M contract may result in suboptimal pricing and reduced value for taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The MITRE Corporation, a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), often plays a unique role, but transparency in sole-source awards is crucial. The broad category of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' makes it challenging to assess the specific impact on the public without further detail.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Broad service category
Positive Signals
- MITRE Corporation's role as an FFRDC can bring specialized expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad sector. Benchmarking requires detailed understanding of the specific technical services provided, which are not fully detailed here.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This contract was awarded to a large entity, THE MITRE CORPORATION, with no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' designation warrants further oversight to ensure the justification for sole-sourcing was robust and that the government received fair value. Accountability is key when competition is bypassed.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding raises concerns about potential overpricing.
- Broad service category makes specific value assessment difficult.
- Sole-source award requires strong justification for accountability.
- Cost-plus contract type necessitates robust government oversight.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, ma, dca, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $273.5 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION. UCA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE MITRE CORPORATION.
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 $273.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-12-01. End: 2012-10-01.
What specific technical services were provided under this contract, and how did they align with the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code?
The NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is a broad category encompassing a wide range of activities not classified elsewhere. Without further details on the specific tasks performed under this $273 million contract, it's impossible to ascertain the precise nature of the services. This lack of specificity hinders a thorough analysis of the contract's value and effectiveness.
What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?
The contract was designated 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' implying a sole-source award. The justification for such an award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of other sources. Without access to the specific justification documentation, it's difficult to assess whether competitive strategies were adequately explored or if the sole-source determination was fully warranted, potentially impacting taxpayer value.
How was the 'COST NO FEE' pricing structure managed to ensure effective cost control and value for the Department of Defense?
A 'COST NO FEE' contract means the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs but receives no fee or profit. While this can incentivize cost control, effective management requires rigorous oversight of incurred costs to prevent overruns and ensure the services delivered meet the required standards. The absence of a fee doesn't inherently guarantee value; diligent monitoring of expenditures is paramount.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 202 BURLINGTON RD, BEDFORD, MA, 06
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $1,899,968,000
Exercised Options: $273,467,254
Current Obligation: $273,467,254
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-12-01
Current End Date: 2012-10-01
Potential End Date: 2012-10-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-10-02
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