HII Mission Technologies Corp awarded $28.4M for Foreign Material Exploitation Support, spanning 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,434,537 ($28.4M)

Contractor: HII Mission Technologies Corp

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2008-01-31

End Date: 2013-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: FOREIGN MATERIAL EXPLOTATION SUPPORT(PROFESSIONAL SERVICES)

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, GREENE County, OHIO, 45433

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $28.4 million to HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP for work described as: FOREIGN MATERIAL EXPLOTATION SUPPORT(PROFESSIONAL SERVICES) Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed diligently. 3. Performance period of 1827 days (approx. 5 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' a broad category. 5. The award was made by the General Services Administration (GSA), a common contracting vehicle for federal agencies. 6. The contract was issued as a Purchase Order, a less complex instrument than a traditional contract. 7. No small business set-aside was utilized, indicating the competition was open to all eligible offerors.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $28.4 million over approximately five years averages to about $5.68 million annually. Without specific benchmarks for 'Foreign Material Exploitation Support,' it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, carries inherent risks of cost overruns if not closely monitored. Comparing this to similar contracts for specialized technical services would be necessary for a more robust value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The data does not specify the number of bids received, but the designation implies a competitive process was intended. Full and open competition generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it typically drives down prices and encourages innovation among contractors, leading to more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

This contract supports the government's capability in understanding and analyzing foreign materials, likely for national security or intelligence purposes. The services provided are professional, scientific, and technical in nature, requiring specialized expertise. The geographic impact is not specified but likely supports federal agencies with national security or defense missions. The contract may involve a specialized workforce with expertise in materials science, engineering, or related technical fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively, as contractor labor hours and material costs are reimbursed.
The broad NAICS code (541990) makes it challenging to pinpoint the exact nature of the services and benchmark them against specific industry standards.
Lack of detail on the number of bidders and specific performance metrics makes it difficult to fully assess the competitive landscape and contractor performance.
The contract duration of five years, while indicating a sustained need, also means potential for costs to escalate over time without rigorous oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, which generally leads to better pricing and access to a wider range of qualified contractors.
The General Services Administration (GSA) is an experienced contracting agency, suggesting established procurement processes are in place.
The contract supports a critical function related to understanding foreign materials, potentially enhancing national security.
The purchase order format, while less complex, still requires adherence to federal acquisition regulations.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the broad category of Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (NAICS 541990). This sector is diverse, encompassing a wide range of specialized expertise. Federal spending in this area supports various government functions, from research and development to operational support and analysis. Benchmarking requires identifying contracts with similar service descriptions, which can be challenging given the general nature of the NAICS code.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for specialized support within the scope of this work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the General Services Administration. As a Purchase Order, the oversight mechanisms might be less formalized than for larger, more complex contract vehicles. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
National Security Support Services
Intelligence Support Contracts
Materials Analysis Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Pricing
Long Contract Duration
Broad NAICS Code
Lack of Bidder Count

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $28.4 million to HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. FOREIGN MATERIAL EXPLOTATION SUPPORT(PROFESSIONAL SERVICES)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-01-31. End: 2013-01-31.

What specific types of 'Foreign Material Exploitation Support' are covered under this contract?

The provided data identifies the contract as 'FOREIGN MATERIAL EXPLOTATION SUPPORT(PROFESSIONAL SERVICES)' under NAICS code 541990 ('All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'). This broad classification suggests the support could encompass a range of activities, potentially including the analysis, testing, evaluation, and reporting on foreign-origin materials. This might involve reverse engineering, threat assessment, technological capability evaluation, or forensic analysis. Without more specific contract line item details or a statement of work, the precise nature of the services remains generalized. However, the context of 'foreign material exploitation' strongly implies activities related to intelligence gathering, national security, and defense preparedness, focusing on understanding the capabilities and origins of materials obtained from foreign sources.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual cost of labor (at specified hourly rates) and direct materials, plus a fee or profit. This contrasts with Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, where the price is set regardless of the contractor's actual costs, or Cost-Plus contracts, which reimburse costs plus a negotiated profit. For services where the scope of work is not well-defined or is expected to change, T&M offers flexibility. However, it shifts cost risk to the government, as there's no ceiling on the total expenditure unless a contract ceiling is imposed. For specialized technical services like foreign material exploitation, T&M can be suitable if the tasks are emergent or require adaptable expertise. However, FFP contracts are generally preferred when the scope is clear, as they provide better cost certainty for taxpayers. The government must implement robust oversight to manage T&M contracts effectively, ensuring labor hours and materials are reasonable and necessary.

What is the typical duration and value range for contracts supporting 'Foreign Material Exploitation'?

Contracts supporting 'Foreign Material Exploitation' can vary significantly in duration and value depending on the specific agency, the scope of work, and the criticality of the materials being analyzed. Durations can range from short-term projects focused on a specific material to multi-year engagements providing ongoing analytical support. Values can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars. The $28.4 million award to HII Mission Technologies Corp over approximately five years ($5.68 million annually) appears to be a substantial, long-term commitment. This suggests a consistent and significant requirement for these specialized services within the government. Benchmarking against publicly available data for similar, narrowly defined services is challenging due to the specialized and often classified nature of 'foreign material exploitation' work, but this award indicates a significant federal investment in this capability.

What are the potential risks associated with a five-year Time and Materials contract for technical services?

A five-year Time and Materials (T&M) contract for technical services like Foreign Material Exploitation presents several potential risks. Firstly, the T&M structure inherently lacks a fixed cost ceiling, meaning the total expenditure can escalate beyond initial projections if not meticulously managed. This is particularly risky over a long duration like five years, where unforeseen technical challenges or scope creep could significantly inflate costs. Secondly, contractor performance and efficiency are harder to gauge compared to fixed-price contracts, potentially leading to inefficiencies or inflated labor hours. Thirdly, the government bears the risk of price increases for labor rates and materials over the five-year period. Effective risk mitigation requires stringent oversight, regular performance reviews, clear task definitions, and potentially incorporating cost-control incentives or ceilings within the T&M framework to protect taxpayer interests.

How does the General Services Administration (GSA) facilitate procurement for specialized technical services like this?

The General Services Administration (GSA) acts as a central procurement authority for many federal agencies, offering various contract vehicles and services to streamline the acquisition process. For specialized technical services, GSA often utilizes Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) or Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts. These vehicles pre-qualify contractors for specific service categories, allowing agencies to issue task orders or purchase orders against these established contracts. This approach leverages GSA's expertise in contract negotiation and administration, potentially reducing duplication of effort across agencies and ensuring compliance with procurement regulations. By awarding this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service, GSA provided a procurement solution for the requiring agency, likely enabling faster access to necessary support while adhering to competitive principles.

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 › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4021 EXECUTIVE DR, DAYTON, OH, 45430

Business Categories: Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,931,442

Exercised Options: $28,434,537

Current Obligation: $28,434,537

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline