DoD's $263M Information Warfare contract awarded to MANTECH Advanced Systems International, Inc. for R&D services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $263,497,873 ($263.5M)

Contractor: Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-09-03

End Date: 2024-09-03

Contract Duration: 1,461 days

Daily Burn Rate: $180.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: PROVIDES ENGINEERING SERVICES, INTEGRATION SUPPORT, TRAINING SUPPORT, LOGISTICAL SUPPORT, PROCUREMENT OF REQUIRED MATERIALS AND OTHER SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH PRODUCT MANAGER INFORMATION WARFARE'S JOINT COMMON ACCESS PROVIDER (JCAP) CAPABILITY.

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $263.5 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: PROVIDES ENGINEERING SERVICES, INTEGRATION SUPPORT, TRAINING SUPPORT, LOGISTICAL SUPPORT, PROCUREMENT OF REQUIRED MATERIALS AND OTHER SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH PRODUCT MANAGER INFORMATION WARFARE'S JOINT COMMON ACCESS PROVIDER (JCAP) CAPABILITY. Key points: 1. Contract provides comprehensive support for the Joint Common Access Provider (JCAP) capability, encompassing engineering, integration, training, and logistics. 2. The award represents a significant investment in enhancing information warfare capabilities for the Department of the Army. 3. The contract's duration of approximately four years suggests a long-term commitment to the JCAP program. 4. Focus on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences indicates a forward-looking approach to technological advancement. 5. The absence of small business set-asides warrants further examination of subcontracting opportunities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value of $263,497,872.95 over four years averages to approximately $65.87 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar R&D contracts in advanced systems integration and information warfare is challenging without more specific data on the scope and complexity of the JCAP capability. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type suggests that costs are monitored, but it can sometimes lead to higher overall expenditures compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed tightly. The value appears substantial, reflecting the critical nature of information warfare.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically justified when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or is the only source capable of meeting the requirement. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a competitive bidding process, which could potentially lead to higher prices than if multiple offers had been considered. Further justification for the sole-source award would be necessary to fully assess its impact.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit opportunities for other businesses to compete for government contracts and can potentially result in less favorable pricing for taxpayers due to the absence of competitive pressure.

Public Impact

The Department of the Army benefits directly through enhanced information warfare capabilities provided by the JCAP system. Services delivered include critical engineering, integration, training, and logistical support, ensuring operational readiness. The contract supports advanced research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences, potentially leading to future technological breakthroughs. Workforce implications may include specialized engineering and technical roles within MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential innovation from a wider market.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can incentivize cost overruns if not rigorously managed.
Lack of transparency regarding the justification for sole-source award.
Limited information on performance metrics and success criteria for the JCAP capability.

Positive Signals

Contract addresses a critical national security need in information warfare.
Long-term contract duration indicates a strategic investment in the JCAP program.
Comprehensive support structure (engineering, integration, training, logistics) suggests a well-defined program.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority in defense. The market for advanced systems integration and information warfare solutions is highly specialized, often dominated by a few key players with the necessary expertise and security clearances. Spending in this sector is driven by evolving threats and the need for continuous innovation in areas like cyber defense, electronic warfare, and intelligence gathering.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false) and did not involve specific small business subcontracting goals (sb: false). This suggests that the primary contractor, MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC., is likely a large business, and the nature of the specialized R&D services may not have lent itself to significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. Further investigation into the contractor's subcontracting plan would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Army contracting officers and program managers. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure necessitates robust financial oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse. The contract's duration and value warrant diligent oversight to ensure mission success and responsible use of funds.

Related Government Programs

Information Warfare Systems
Joint Capabilities Development
Advanced Engineering Services
Defense Research and Development Programs
Systems Integration Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
CPFF contract type carries potential for cost overruns.
Lack of publicly available performance metrics.
Limited transparency regarding justification for sole-source award.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $263.5 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. PROVIDES ENGINEERING SERVICES, INTEGRATION SUPPORT, TRAINING SUPPORT, LOGISTICAL SUPPORT, PROCUREMENT OF REQUIRED MATERIALS AND OTHER SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH PRODUCT MANAGER INFORMATION WARFARE'S JOINT COMMON ACCESS PROVIDER (JCAP) CAPABILITY.

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 $263.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-03. End: 2024-09-03.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.?

The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are awarded when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the agency's needs. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, extensive prior experience with the specific system (like the JCAP capability), or a lack of competition within the required timeframe. Without the official justification document (e.g., a Justification and Approval - J&A), it is impossible to definitively state why competition was precluded. This lack of transparency is a common concern with sole-source awards, as it limits the public's ability to understand the rationale behind not seeking competitive bids.

How does the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) compare to industry standards for similar R&D services?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are common in research and development where the scope of work can be uncertain or evolve significantly. The 'cost-plus' portion means the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs, while the 'fixed fee' represents the contractor's profit, negotiated upfront. This structure aims to provide flexibility for the government in R&D projects. However, it carries a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts, as the government bears the brunt of unforeseen expenses. Industry standards often involve rigorous negotiation of the fee and strict oversight of allowable costs. Benchmarking requires comparing the negotiated fee percentage and the total cost against similar, competed R&D contracts with well-defined scopes, which is difficult here due to the sole-source nature and limited public detail.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for the JCAP capability under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for the Joint Common Access Provider (JCAP) capability. For a contract of this magnitude and duration, particularly one involving R&D and complex system integration, clearly defined KPIs are crucial for measuring performance and ensuring the government receives the intended value. These metrics would likely relate to system functionality, integration success rates, training effectiveness, logistical support efficiency, and potentially specific technological advancements achieved. Without access to the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or performance work statement (PWS), these critical details remain unknown, making it difficult to assess the program's effectiveness objectively.

What is the historical spending trend for the JCAP capability or similar information warfare systems within the Department of the Army?

The provided data focuses solely on the current contract awarded in September 2020. It does not offer historical spending trends for the JCAP capability or related information warfare systems within the Department of the Army. To establish a historical context, one would need to analyze past contracts related to JCAP, its predecessors, or comparable information warfare programs. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for prior awards, examining their values, durations, and the nature of the services provided. Understanding historical spending patterns is essential for identifying potential cost growth, assessing the long-term investment in this capability area, and determining if current spending aligns with previous trends or represents a significant shift.

What is the track record of MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. in delivering similar complex R&D and integration services to the Department of Defense?

MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. has a history of performing contracts for the Department of Defense, often in specialized technical and engineering domains. While the specific details of their track record for delivering complex R&D and integration services for systems analogous to the JCAP capability are not fully detailed in the provided data, their continued awards suggest a level of competence and satisfaction from contracting agencies. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), the complexity and scale of previous projects, and any past issues or successes related to cost, schedule, and technical performance. Their role as a sole-source awardee implies a perceived unique capability or critical necessity.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W56KGY20R0006

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: $290,076,789

Exercised Options: $263,497,873

Current Obligation: $263,497,873

Actual Outlays: $23,993,996

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 72

Total Subaward Amount: $135,619,303

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline