DoD's $257M contract for specialized acquisition and operation security services awarded to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $257,404,134 ($257.4M)

Contractor: Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-09-25

End Date: 2028-11-16

Contract Duration: 3,705 days

Daily Burn Rate: $69.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SPECIALIZED ACQUISITION AND OPERATION SECURITY SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $257.4 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: SPECIALIZED ACQUISITION AND OPERATION SECURITY SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust market. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control but also carries inherent risk. 3. With a duration of 3705 days, this represents a significant long-term commitment. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541690 indicates a focus on 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services'. 5. The contract is managed by the Department of the Air Force, a major component of the DoD. 6. The contract has a significant value, indicating a critical need for these specialized services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns and performance metrics. The fixed fee component provides some cost certainty, but the cost-plus nature means the government bears the risk of cost overruns. Comparing this to similar long-term, specialized security service contracts within the DoD would be necessary for a more precise value assessment. The duration and scope suggest a potentially fair price if performance is consistently high.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 3 bids suggests a competitive environment, though the exact number of solicitations and proposals received would provide a clearer picture of the competition's intensity. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down costs and encourages innovation among contractors, ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from enhanced acquisition and operational security. Services delivered are specialized, likely involving complex technical and strategic support. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of the Air Force's operational areas. Workforce implications may include specialized technical personnel and security experts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
Long contract duration (over 10 years) may reduce flexibility to adapt to changing security needs.
Reliance on a single contractor for specialized services could create vendor lock-in.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
The fixed fee component provides some level of cost predictability.
The contract's long duration suggests a stable and ongoing need for these critical services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on specialized acquisition and operational security. This is a critical area for defense agencies, requiring high levels of expertise and trust. The market for such services is often characterized by a few highly specialized firms capable of meeting stringent government requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large, long-term security consulting contracts within the federal government, particularly those awarded by the Department of Defense.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC., is likely a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem. Future analysis should investigate subcontracting goals and performance to understand the impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance metrics outlined in the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance reports and cost breakdowns are often not publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Security Services
Acquisition Support Services
Technical Consulting Services
Operational Security Programs
Department of Defense IT and Cybersecurity Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
Long contract duration may limit adaptability to evolving security landscapes.
Lack of explicit small business subcontracting information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $257.4 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. SPECIALIZED ACQUISITION AND OPERATION SECURITY SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC..

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 $257.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-09-25. End: 2028-11-16.

What is the track record of MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. with the federal government, particularly in similar security service contracts?

MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. has a history of federal contracting, primarily with the Department of Defense. While specific details on past performance for similar security service contracts require deeper investigation into contract databases and performance reviews, their award of this significant contract suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. Analyzing their past performance on Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts, their ability to manage complex projects, and their record in delivering security-related services would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and effectiveness. A review of past performance evaluations and any reported issues or successes would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment.

How does the estimated value of this contract compare to similar specialized acquisition and operation security services procured by the DoD?

The $257.4 million value over approximately 10 years (from 2018 to 2028) positions this contract as a substantial investment. To benchmark its value, one would need to compare it against other large, long-term contracts for similar specialized security services awarded by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies. Factors such as the scope of services, the level of expertise required, and the duration of the contract are critical for a fair comparison. Without access to detailed service requirements and market rates for comparable services, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent, good, or fair value. However, the full and open competition suggests an effort to achieve competitive pricing.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract of this magnitude and duration?

The primary risks with a CPFF contract of this scale and duration revolve around cost control and potential for cost overruns. While the fixed fee provides a defined profit margin for the contractor, the 'cost-plus' element means the government bears the risk of increased direct costs. If the contractor's costs escalate due to inefficiencies, unforeseen challenges, or scope creep, the total contract price will rise, potentially exceeding initial estimates. For a long-term contract, there's also the risk of the contractor becoming complacent or the services becoming outdated if not actively managed and adapted. Furthermore, a significant portion of federal spending on a single, long-term contract can represent a concentration of risk if the contractor underperforms or faces financial instability.

How effective are the current oversight mechanisms for ensuring the successful delivery of specialized acquisition and operation security services under this contract?

Oversight for this contract is managed by the Department of the Air Force, likely involving program managers, contracting officers, and potentially technical representatives. Effectiveness hinges on the rigor of performance monitoring, adherence to contract milestones, and the clarity of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The CPFF structure necessitates close monitoring of expenditures to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. Transparency in reporting and regular performance reviews are crucial. Without specific details on the oversight plan, it's presumed that standard DoD contracting procedures are in place, but the true effectiveness can only be assessed through performance outcomes and audit reports, if available.

What is the historical spending trend for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690) within the Department of Defense?

Historical spending on NAICS code 541690 ('Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services') within the Department of Defense is substantial, reflecting the agency's reliance on external expertise for complex technical and strategic challenges. While specific year-over-year figures for the DoD would require detailed data analysis, this sector generally sees significant federal investment, particularly in areas supporting research, development, acquisition, and specialized operational support. The trend often mirrors broader defense spending priorities and the increasing complexity of military technology and operations. Contracts like this one, valued in the hundreds of millions, are indicative of the significant financial commitment the DoD makes to this service category.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: FA881918R0010

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mantech International Corporation

Address: 2251 CORPORATE PARK DR, HERNDON, VA, 20171

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $503,479,214

Exercised Options: $331,695,205

Current Obligation: $257,404,134

Actual Outlays: $9,510,421

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 19

Total Subaward Amount: $73,122,395

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline