DoD's $120M C3 Software Engineering Support Contract Awarded to ManTech
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $119,692,479 ($119.7M)
Contractor: Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2014-06-20
End Date: 2017-06-19
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $109.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: IGF::CL,CT::IGF THIS PERFORMANCE BASED TASK ORDER (TO) KX01 IS ISSUED FOR THE COMMAND, CONTROL AND COMMUNICATIONS (C3) SYSTEM FIELD SOFTWARE ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO THE SOFTWARE ENGINEERING CENTER(SEC) FIELD SUPPORT DIRECTORATE(FSD) TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE WARFIGHTER WORLDWIDE FOR GARRISON, EXERCISE, COMBAT OPERATIONS AND CONTINGENCIES TO THE USERS OF STRATEGIC AND TACTICAL COMMAND, CONTROL, AND COMMUNICATIONS (C3) SYSTEMS, LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, AND ORGANIC FIELD SOFTWARE ENGINEER (FSE) AND TRAINER SUPPORT TO THE OCONUS MISSION COMMAND TRAINING CENTERS (MCTCS) FOR SUSTAINMENT AS A COST TYPE CONTRACT WITH COST PLUS FIXED FEE-TERM (CPFF) AND COST REIMBURSEMENT LINE ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT W15P7T-12-D-E005 AND SUBSEQUENT MODIFICATIONS THERETO. THIS TO IS ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SSESR-2014 TASK ORDER REQUEST (TOR).
Place of Performance
Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22033
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $119.7 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: IGF::CL,CT::IGF THIS PERFORMANCE BASED TASK ORDER (TO) KX01 IS ISSUED FOR THE COMMAND, CONTROL AND COMMUNICATIONS (C3) SYSTEM FIELD SOFTWARE ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO THE SOFTWARE ENGINEERING CENTER(SEC) FIELD SUPPORT DIRECTORATE(FSD) TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE WARFIGHTER WORLDWIDE F… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical Command, Control, and Communications (C3) systems, vital for warfighter operations. 2. Performance-based task order emphasizes software engineering support for garrison, exercise, and combat scenarios. 3. The contract utilizes a cost-type structure with fixed fee and cost reimbursement elements. 4. Support extends to logistics management systems and field software engineer training. 5. This award represents a significant investment in maintaining and enhancing strategic and tactical communication capabilities. 6. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term need for specialized software engineering expertise.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total value of this contract is approximately $119.7 million over three years. Benchmarking this against similar IT support contracts for defense systems is challenging without more granular data on the specific services provided. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, while allowing for flexibility, can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed tightly. The fixed fee component provides some predictability, but the cost reimbursement elements require diligent oversight to ensure value for money.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The data shows 5 bids were received, suggesting a reasonably competitive environment. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and can lead to more favorable terms for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces.
Public Impact
Warfighters worldwide benefit from enhanced Command, Control, and Communications (C3) systems. Provides essential software engineering support for strategic and tactical communication systems. Supports garrison, exercise, and combat operations, ensuring readiness and effectiveness. Includes training for field software engineers and trainers at Mission Command Training Centers. Geographic impact is global, supporting OCONUS operations and contingencies. Workforce implications include specialized IT and software engineering roles.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-type contracts can present risks of cost overruns if not meticulously managed.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical C3 system support could pose a risk if performance falters.
- The complexity of C3 systems may lead to unforeseen technical challenges and cost increases.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
- Performance-based task order structure incentivizes desired outcomes.
- Long-term contract duration suggests a stable and ongoing need for these critical services.
- ManTech's involvement indicates a potentially established relationship and understanding of DoD requirements.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming and software engineering for defense applications. The market for defense IT support is substantial, driven by the need for advanced communication and command systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within other large-scale IT support contracts for military branches, often involving complex, mission-critical systems.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. It is possible that small businesses could be involved as subcontractors to ManTech, but this information is not detailed in the award data. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities and their impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program management office within the Department of the Army. The cost-type nature of the contract necessitates robust financial oversight and auditing to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4) Systems Support
- Defense IT Modernization Programs
- Software Development Services for Military Applications
- Field Support Services for Defense Systems
- Logistics Management Systems Support
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to cost-type contract structure.
- Risk of technological obsolescence over the contract's three-year duration.
- Dependency on a single contractor for critical C3 system support.
- Need for stringent oversight to ensure performance and value for money.
Tags
it-services, software-engineering, command-control-communications, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, performance-based, task-order, defense-contract, virginia, custom-computer-programming
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $119.7 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. IGF::CL,CT::IGF THIS PERFORMANCE BASED TASK ORDER (TO) KX01 IS ISSUED FOR THE COMMAND, CONTROL AND COMMUNICATIONS (C3) SYSTEM FIELD SOFTWARE ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO THE SOFTWARE ENGINEERING CENTER(SEC) FIELD SUPPORT DIRECTORATE(FSD) TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE WARFIGHTER WORLDWIDE FOR GARRISON, EXERCISE, COMBAT OPERATIONS AND CONTINGENCIES TO THE USERS OF STRATEGIC AND TACTICAL COMMAND, CONTROL, AND COMMUNICATIONS (C3) SYSTEMS, LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, AND ORGANIC FIELD SOFTWARE ENGINEER (FSE)
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 Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $119.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-06-20. End: 2017-06-19.
What is ManTech's track record with similar DoD software engineering contracts?
ManTech Advanced Systems International, Inc. has a significant history of performing IT and software engineering services for the Department of Defense. While specific details on past C3 system support contracts are not provided in this data, the company's extensive portfolio includes work on various defense platforms, cybersecurity, and enterprise IT solutions. Their experience likely encompasses managing complex, mission-critical systems and adhering to stringent DoD requirements. A deeper dive into their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any reported issues, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability for this specific task order.
How does the pricing structure (CPFF/CR) compare to industry standards for similar services?
The contract utilizes a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) and Cost Reimbursement (CR) structure. CPFF is common for complex projects where the scope may evolve, allowing flexibility while providing a fixed fee incentive for the contractor. Cost Reimbursement is used for specific line items where costs are less predictable. While these structures offer flexibility, they require rigorous oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and allocable. Industry standards vary widely based on the complexity, duration, and specific technical requirements. Without detailed service breakdowns and market data for comparable C3 software engineering support, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, the government's role in auditing costs under CR elements is crucial for value.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics used to assess contractor performance?
As a performance-based task order, this contract likely includes specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and metrics designed to measure the contractor's success in delivering software engineering support for C3 systems. These could include metrics related to system uptime, response times for software issues, successful deployment of updates, adherence to security protocols, and user satisfaction. The effectiveness of the performance-based approach hinges on clearly defined, measurable, and achievable KPIs that align with the warfighter's needs and operational requirements. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring these metrics.
What is the historical spending trend for C3 system software engineering support within the Department of the Army?
Analyzing historical spending trends for C3 system software engineering support within the Department of the Army requires access to comprehensive budget and contract databases. This specific task order, valued at approximately $119.7 million over three years, represents a portion of the Army's overall investment in maintaining and upgrading its communication infrastructure. Trends would likely show a consistent need for such services, potentially increasing with the pace of technological advancement and evolving threats. Understanding the historical allocation of funds towards C3 modernization and sustainment would provide context for the significance and necessity of this contract.
What are the potential risks associated with the long duration (1095 days) of this contract?
The 1095-day (three-year) duration of this contract presents several potential risks. Firstly, technology evolves rapidly, and software developed or supported under this contract could become outdated before its completion, requiring significant adaptation or re-work. Secondly, long-term cost-type contracts can be susceptible to scope creep and escalating costs if not managed with strict oversight. Thirdly, there's a risk of contractor complacency or a decline in performance over an extended period. Mitigating these risks involves robust contract management, regular performance reviews, and potentially incorporating clauses for technological refresh or performance adjustments.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Mantech International Corporation
Address: 12015 LEE JACKSON MEMORIAL HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $394,136,695
Exercised Options: $347,273,595
Current Obligation: $119,692,479
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 5
Total Subaward Amount: $3,414,800
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W15P7T12DE005
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-06-20
Current End Date: 2017-06-19
Potential End Date: 2017-06-19 12:06:00
Last Modified: 2022-09-14
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