State Department's $31.3M Engineering Services Contract Awarded to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,298,796 ($31.3M)

Contractor: Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2007-07-05

End Date: 2015-07-15

Contract Duration: 2,932 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.7K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR CONT. OF TASK

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22033

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $31.3 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR CONT. OF TASK Key points: 1. Contract awarded through a competitive delivery order, suggesting a degree of market vetting. 2. The contract duration of approximately 8 years indicates a long-term need for these engineering services. 3. Focus on engineering services (NAICS 541330) aligns with specialized technical support requirements. 4. The contract was not set aside for small businesses, potentially limiting direct opportunities for smaller firms. 5. The base award amount of $1.07M suggests initial scope, with significant additional funding for task continuation. 6. The contract type is 'LABOR HOURS', which can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns and comparisons to similar engineering service contracts. The significant increase in funding from the base award to the total amount suggests either a substantial expansion of scope or a gradual increase in tasking over the contract's long duration. The 'LABOR HOURS' contract type necessitates careful monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent scope creep, as it directly ties costs to personnel time.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

This contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER', indicating that multiple vendors likely had an opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature suggests that the Department of State sought to leverage market competition to obtain favorable pricing and technical solutions for its engineering service needs.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award generally benefits taxpayers by fostering price discovery and encouraging contractors to offer their best value propositions, potentially leading to more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of State, which receives essential engineering services to support its operations. Services delivered likely include technical analysis, design, development, and support for various state department initiatives. The geographic impact is likely global, given the nature of diplomatic and international operations supported by the State Department. Workforce implications may include the employment of engineers and technical specialists by MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to 'LABOR HOURS' contract type if not closely managed.
Long contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in or reduced agility in adapting to evolving needs.
Lack of small business set-aside may limit opportunities for smaller, specialized engineering firms.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.
Long-term contract indicates a sustained need and potentially stable support for critical functions.
Focus on specialized engineering services suggests a commitment to technical expertise.

Sector Analysis

Engineering services, categorized under NAICS code 541330, represent a significant sector within government contracting. This market encompasses firms providing specialized expertise in areas such as civil, mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineering. Government spending in this sector is driven by the need for technical support across a wide range of agencies, from defense and infrastructure to research and development. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the average cost per hour for engineers with similar skill sets and experience levels across various federal agencies.

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. This means that opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in this contract are limited unless they are part of a larger team or subcontracted by the prime contractor. The absence of explicit small business provisions may not significantly impact the broader small business ecosystem unless this represents a pattern of excluding small firms from similar large-scale engineering service procurements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery of engineering services as per the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics and cost-reimbursement details may be less publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Department of State - General Services Administration (GSA) Contracts
Engineering and Technical Services - Department of Defense
Professional Services - Federal Government
Information Technology Services - Federal Government

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to 'LABOR HOURS' contract type.
Long contract duration may lead to obsolescence of services or reduced flexibility.
Lack of small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $31.3 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR CONT. OF TASK

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 State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $31.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-07-05. End: 2015-07-15.

What is the typical hourly billing rate for engineers performing similar services under Department of State contracts?

Determining the exact typical hourly billing rate for engineers under Department of State contracts requires access to detailed contract data and labor category breakdowns, which are not fully available in the provided summary. However, for engineering services, rates can vary significantly based on the level of experience, specialization (e.g., civil, electrical, mechanical, software), and security clearance requirements. Generally, federal agencies benchmark these rates against industry standards and GSA schedules. For highly specialized or senior engineers, hourly rates can range from $100 to over $300 per hour, excluding overhead and profit. The 'LABOR HOURS' contract type suggests that the Department of State is paying for the time spent by personnel, making effective rate negotiation and management crucial for cost control.

How does the total contract value of $31.3 million compare to other engineering services contracts awarded by the Department of State?

The total contract value of $31.3 million for engineering services is a substantial amount, indicating a significant scope of work over its approximately 8-year duration. To compare it effectively, one would need to analyze the average contract size for similar engineering services procured by the Department of State over a comparable period. Larger contracts often reflect complex, long-term projects or broad support requirements. Without a dataset of comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively state if $31.3 million is high or low. However, it suggests a major investment in engineering expertise, potentially for critical infrastructure, security systems, or international program support.

What are the primary risks associated with a 'LABOR HOURS' contract type for engineering services?

The primary risk associated with a 'LABOR HOURS' contract type, especially for a long-duration contract like this one, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, 'LABOR HOURS' contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual hours worked by their personnel at agreed-upon rates. This means that if the project takes longer than anticipated, or if more personnel are required, the total cost can escalate significantly. Effective oversight, detailed work breakdown structures, and diligent progress monitoring are essential to mitigate this risk. Scope creep is another significant risk, as it can lead to unplanned increases in labor hours and, consequently, costs. The government must ensure that the work performed directly aligns with the contract's objectives and that any changes are properly managed through contract modifications.

What is the track record of MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of State?

MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. has a history of receiving federal contracts. To assess their track record specifically with the Department of State and for engineering services, a deeper dive into contract databases like FPDS-NG or USAspending.gov would be necessary. This would reveal the number of contracts awarded, their values, performance ratings (if available), and any past performance issues or awards. A positive track record with the agency for similar services would suggest reliability and competence, while a history of issues might raise concerns about future performance and value for money.

How does the duration of this contract (approx. 8 years) impact its overall value and risk?

The approximately 8-year duration of this contract indicates a long-term, sustained need for the engineering services provided. From a value perspective, a longer duration can sometimes lead to better pricing through economies of scale or commitment discounts, and it provides stability for both the agency and the contractor. However, it also introduces risks. Technology and requirements can evolve rapidly in engineering fields, meaning the services procured might become outdated or less relevant over time. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes heavily reliant on a single provider, potentially reducing leverage for future negotiations. Furthermore, the longer the contract, the greater the potential for cost escalation if not managed meticulously, especially under a 'LABOR HOURS' structure.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mantech International Corporation (UEI: 053518312)

Address: 12015 LEE JACKSON HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,317,757

Exercised Options: $31,317,757

Current Obligation: $31,298,796

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F0122J

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline