Interior Department's $28.2M contract for executive support and technical analysis awarded to Modern Technology Solutions, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,191,049 ($28.2M)

Contractor: Modern Technology Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2009-02-25

End Date: 2014-08-24

Contract Duration: 2,006 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXECUTIVE SUPPORT SERVICES AND EXPERT ASSISTANCE IN ORGANIZING AND RECOMMENDING TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS, ANALYSIS OF ACQUISITION PROGRAMS, PREPARATION OF SELECTED ROADMAPS, UNMANNED SYSTEMS SUPPORT AND THE OPERATION OF THE PROFTOLIO SYSTEMS ACQUISITIONS(PSA) FRONT OFFICE.

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22312

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $28.2 million to MODERN TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: EXECUTIVE SUPPORT SERVICES AND EXPERT ASSISTANCE IN ORGANIZING AND RECOMMENDING TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS, ANALYSIS OF ACQUISITION PROGRAMS, PREPARATION OF SELECTED ROADMAPS, UNMANNED SYSTEMS SUPPORT AND THE OPERATION OF THE PROFTOLIO SYSTEMS ACQUISITIONS(PSA) FRONT OFFICE. Key points: 1. Contract focused on executive support, technical management concepts, and acquisition program analysis. 2. Services included roadmap preparation and support for unmanned systems and portfolio systems acquisitions. 3. Awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating a degree of market engagement. 4. The contract duration spanned over five years, from February 2009 to August 2014. 5. Primary service area was engineering services, aligning with the contractor's expertise. 6. The contract was a firm-fixed-price type, aiming to control costs. 7. No small business set-aside was indicated for this contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $28.2 million over five years suggests a moderate annual spend for specialized executive and technical support services. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for engineering and management consulting within the federal government would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure implies an attempt to manage cost certainty, but the overall value is contingent on the effectiveness and efficiency of the services delivered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The 'full-and-open' competition level generally implies a robust bidding process. However, the specifics of the underlying contract vehicle and the number of actual bidders for this particular delivery order are not detailed here, which limits a full assessment of the competitive dynamics and their impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even for a delivery order, generally benefits taxpayers by fostering price competition and encouraging vendors to offer competitive terms.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include Department of the Interior leadership and program managers requiring specialized technical and acquisition support. Services delivered encompass strategic planning, technical analysis, and operational support for acquisition programs. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of the Interior's operational sphere, likely centered around its headquarters and relevant program offices. Workforce implications involve the engagement of specialized technical and management consultants to augment government capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true impact and value of the services rendered.
The broad scope of 'executive support' could lead to potential inefficiencies if not tightly managed.
Reliance on external contractors for core technical analysis might indicate internal capacity gaps.
The five-year duration without clear performance checkpoints could pose a risk of cost overruns or suboptimal service delivery.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting a baseline level of market validation.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps to establish cost certainty for the government.
Contractor Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. likely possesses relevant expertise in engineering and technical management.
The contract addresses critical areas like acquisition program analysis and technical roadmapping.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically focusing on technical management, acquisition support, and specialized analysis. The federal market for engineering and management consulting services is substantial, with agencies frequently procuring such expertise to support complex programs and strategic initiatives. This contract appears to be a targeted engagement to provide specialized support rather than a broad, large-scale engineering project.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, it did not directly contribute to small business prime contracting goals. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or performance, so the impact on the small business ecosystem through subcontracting cannot be assessed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms would typically involve contract officers, program managers, and potentially an Inspector General's office within the Department of the Interior. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost control. Transparency would be enhanced by public contract databases, but detailed performance reviews and specific oversight actions are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Department of the Interior Acquisition Support Services
Technical Consulting Services
Program Management Support
Unmanned Systems Acquisition
IT Portfolio Management Support

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to broad service descriptions.
Difficulty in quantifying the direct impact of 'executive support' services.
Reliance on external expertise may indicate internal capability gaps.
Contract duration requires sustained oversight to ensure value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $28.2 million to MODERN TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC.. EXECUTIVE SUPPORT SERVICES AND EXPERT ASSISTANCE IN ORGANIZING AND RECOMMENDING TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS, ANALYSIS OF ACQUISITION PROGRAMS, PREPARATION OF SELECTED ROADMAPS, UNMANNED SYSTEMS SUPPORT AND THE OPERATION OF THE PROFTOLIO SYSTEMS ACQUISITIONS(PSA) FRONT OFFICE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MODERN TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-02-25. End: 2014-08-24.

What was the specific nature of the 'executive support' provided under this contract?

The 'executive support' component of this contract likely involved providing high-level advisory services, strategic planning assistance, and administrative support to senior officials within the Department of the Interior. This could include tasks such as preparing briefings, analyzing policy implications, facilitating meetings, and coordinating high-level initiatives. The contract also specified 'expert assistance in organizing and recommending technical management concepts,' suggesting that the executive support was closely tied to technical and acquisition program matters, rather than purely administrative functions. Without more granular details on task orders, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact activities, but it implies support for decision-making processes at a senior level concerning technology and program acquisition.

How does the annual spending on this contract compare to similar engineering services contracts within the Department of the Interior?

The contract's total value was approximately $28.2 million over a period of roughly 5.3 years (February 2009 to August 2014). This averages to about $5.3 million per year. To compare this effectively, one would need to analyze the Department of the Interior's spending on engineering services (NAICS code 541330) and related management consulting categories during the same period. Benchmarking would involve looking at the number of similar contracts, their average values, and the types of services procured. Given the specialized nature of technical management concepts and acquisition program analysis, this contract might represent a mid-tier investment for such niche expertise, potentially lower than large-scale engineering design or construction oversight contracts but significant for focused advisory roles.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. on this contract?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the performance of Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. on this contract. Typically, for contracts involving technical analysis, roadmap preparation, and executive support, KPIs might include timeliness of deliverables, quality of analysis and recommendations, adherence to budget (though less critical for firm-fixed-price), and client satisfaction. The absence of this information in the summary data makes a direct assessment of contractor performance challenging. A thorough review would require access to contract performance reports or award-fee evaluations, if applicable.

What is the track record of Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. in delivering similar technical management and acquisition support services to the federal government?

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) has a significant track record in providing engineering, technology, and program management support to various U.S. federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and NASA, in addition to the Department of the Interior. Their expertise often lies in areas such as systems engineering, test and evaluation, acquisition support, and advanced technology integration. Contracts like this one, focusing on technical management concepts and acquisition program analysis, align well with MTSI's core competencies. Their history suggests they are a capable provider of specialized technical services, though the specific success metrics for each contract would vary.

Were there any identified risks or challenges associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?

Potential risks associated with a contract of this nature could include scope creep, misalignment between contractor recommendations and agency needs, or difficulties in integrating contractor insights into existing government processes. The broad description of 'executive support' and 'technical management concepts' could also pose a risk if not clearly defined and managed. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight, regular communication between the contractor and government points of contact, clearly defined milestones and deliverables, and a structured process for reviewing and approving recommendations. The firm-fixed-price nature helps mitigate financial risk for the government, assuming the scope is well-defined.

How did the 'unmanned systems support' aspect of the contract contribute to the Department of the Interior's mission?

The 'unmanned systems support' aspect suggests that Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. provided expertise related to the acquisition, integration, or operational planning of unmanned systems (e.g., drones, UAVs) within the Department of the Interior. This could involve helping the agency define requirements for unmanned systems, evaluate potential technologies, develop strategies for their deployment in areas like environmental monitoring, resource management, or infrastructure inspection, or assist in the management of related acquisition programs. Such support would contribute to the DOI's mission by enhancing its capabilities in data collection, surveillance, and operational efficiency through the use of advanced technologies.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 20924

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4725B EISENHOWER AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22304

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,191,049

Exercised Options: $28,191,049

Current Obligation: $28,191,049

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F0033L

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline