DoD's $15M counter-terrorism R&D contract awarded to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for capability enhancement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,987,369 ($15.0M)

Contractor: Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-04-19

End Date: 2026-04-18

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORT TO IMPROVE CAPABILITIES AIMED AT COUNTER-TERRORISM.

Place of Performance

Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78230

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.0 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORT TO IMPROVE CAPABILITIES AIMED AT COUNTER-TERRORISM. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical research and development for counter-terrorism capabilities. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust market. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control. 4. Performance period spans four years, indicating a significant, long-term effort. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 points to R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, implying larger prime contractors are expected. 7. The base award amount is over $14.9 million.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of approximately $15 million for a four-year R&D effort in counter-terrorism appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in defense requires detailed analysis of scope and deliverables, but the fixed fee component suggests a degree of cost predictability. The absence of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes a definitive value assessment challenging, but the investment aligns with national security priorities.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the solicitation was made available to all responsible sources. The presence of multiple bidders, though not explicitly stated, is implied by this competition type. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive offers, potentially leading to better value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and ensuring that the most capable and cost-effective solutions are considered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and its agencies, which will receive enhanced counter-terrorism capabilities. The services delivered are research and development aimed at improving existing or creating new technologies and methodologies for counter-terrorism. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, with potential for deployment of developed capabilities globally. Workforce implications may include highly skilled scientists, engineers, and researchers employed by the contractor and potentially subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
The specialized nature of R&D means outcomes are not guaranteed, posing a risk to investment.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical R&D could pose a long-term risk if capabilities are not shared or diversified.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive marketplace.
The contract duration of four years allows for sustained effort and development.
Focus on counter-terrorism aligns with critical national security needs.
The contractor, MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC., is likely experienced in this domain.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader defense research and development sector, a significant area of federal spending. The market for counter-terrorism technologies is specialized, driven by evolving threats and governmental needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other R&D contracts awarded by agencies like the DoD, DARPA, or DHS focused on national security and threat mitigation. The NAICS code 541715 places it within the physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D segment.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the prime contract was awarded to a large business, likely due to the specialized nature or scale of the R&D required. While there's no direct set-aside, the prime contractor may engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, contributing to the small business ecosystem indirectly. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the direct impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) or the broader Department of Defense. Accountability measures are inherent in the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, requiring detailed reporting and justification of costs against the fixed fee. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but specific R&D details may be subject to security classifications. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development
Counter-Terrorism Technology Development
Defense Threat Reduction Agency Programs
Advanced Technology Research Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns in CPFF contract type.
R&D outcomes are inherently uncertain.
Need for detailed performance metrics to ensure value.
Reliance on contractor's specialized expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.0 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORT TO IMPROVE CAPABILITIES AIMED AT COUNTER-TERRORISM.

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 (Defense Threat Reduction Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-19. End: 2026-04-18.

What is the track record of MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. in performing similar government contracts, particularly in R&D for defense?

Assessing the track record of MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts. This would involve examining contract databases for awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Specifically for R&D in defense and counter-terrorism, their prior experience with similar technical challenges, project management of complex research initiatives, and ability to meet cost, schedule, and performance requirements would be critical indicators. A positive history in these areas would increase confidence in their ability to successfully execute this current contract. Conversely, a history of underperformance or issues could signal potential risks.

How does the awarded amount of $14.9 million compare to similar counter-terrorism R&D contracts within the DoD?

Comparing the $14.9 million award to similar counter-terrorism R&D contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. Factors such as the specific technological focus (e.g., cyber, biological, explosives detection), the scope of research (basic vs. applied), the duration of the contract, and the complexity of the deliverables significantly influence cost. Contracts with similar objectives, duration, and complexity awarded by agencies like the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), DARPA, or other DoD components would serve as benchmarks. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this award represents high, low, or average spending. However, R&D efforts in national security are typically substantial investments.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones for this contract, and how will success be measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones for this contract. Typically, Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) R&D contracts will outline specific technical objectives, research phases, deliverables (e.g., reports, prototypes, data analysis), and timelines. Success would be measured against the achievement of these defined objectives and deliverables within the allocated budget and timeframe. The fixed fee component incentivizes the contractor to meet these performance targets efficiently. A thorough review of the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and any associated performance work statements would be necessary to identify the precise metrics for success and oversight mechanisms.

What is the potential for cost overruns or scope creep in a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts, while offering flexibility for R&D where exact costs are uncertain, do carry inherent risks of cost overruns and scope creep. The 'cost plus' portion means the government reimburses the contractor's allowable costs, and the 'fixed fee' is the profit. If costs exceed projections significantly, the government still pays those costs plus the fixed fee. Scope creep can occur if the research objectives evolve or expand beyond the original SOW, leading to increased costs. Effective oversight, clear definition of the SOW, rigorous change control processes, and regular performance reviews are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the project stays within budget and aligned with its intended objectives.

How does this contract fit into the broader strategic goals of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) or the DoD's counter-terrorism efforts?

This contract directly supports the strategic goals of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the broader Department of Defense (DoD) by funding research and development aimed at enhancing counter-terrorism capabilities. DTRA's mission often involves reducing and defending against weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and emerging threats, which includes terrorism. Investments in R&D are crucial for staying ahead of evolving threats, developing innovative technologies for detection, prevention, and response, and improving the effectiveness of personnel and systems involved in counter-terrorism operations. This contract represents a specific investment in advancing the technological and methodological tools available for national security.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HDTRA117S0002

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mantech International Corporation

Address: 2251 CORPORATE PARK DR STE 600, 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: $39,852,548

Exercised Options: $27,512,404

Current Obligation: $14,987,369

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline