DoD awards $24.9M contract for UMCS Preventive & Corrective Maintenance, with M.C. Dean Inc. as the contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,920,772 ($24.9M)

Contractor: M. C. Dean, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-02-17

End Date: 2026-02-16

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: UMCS PREVENTIVE & CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE DIA HQ

Place of Performance

Location: BOLLING AFB, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20032

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.9 million to M. C. DEAN, INC. for work described as: UMCS PREVENTIVE & CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE DIA HQ Key points: 1. Contract value of $24.9 million over 3 years indicates a significant investment in facility maintenance. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure shifts cost risk to the contractor, potentially leading to more predictable expenses. 4. This contract falls under Computer Systems Design Services, highlighting the IT infrastructure needs of the DIA HQ. 5. The duration of 1095 days (3 years) allows for sustained service delivery and relationship building. 6. The award amount is substantial, requiring careful monitoring of performance and value for money.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $24.9 million over three years for preventive and corrective maintenance of UMCS at DIA HQ appears reasonable given the scope of services. Benchmarking against similar IT infrastructure maintenance contracts for federal facilities suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally favorable for the government when requirements are well-defined, as it caps costs and incentivizes contractor efficiency. However, a detailed cost breakdown and comparison to industry standards for similar services would provide a more precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment. A competitive process is expected to drive down prices and encourage innovation as contractors vie for the award. The government likely received multiple proposals, allowing for a thorough evaluation of technical capabilities and pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing the best value by leveraging market forces to achieve competitive pricing and high-quality service delivery.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and its personnel, who will receive reliable IT infrastructure maintenance. Services delivered include preventive and corrective maintenance for the Unified Mission Critical Systems (UMCS). The geographic impact is focused on the District of Columbia, where DIA HQ is located. The contract supports the operational readiness and security of critical national defense intelligence systems. Workforce implications include the need for skilled technicians and IT specialists employed by M.C. Dean, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if maintenance needs are not clearly defined within the UMCS.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure maintenance could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring adequate performance metrics are in place to guarantee service quality and responsiveness.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to an established contractor like M.C. Dean, Inc. suggests a level of confidence in their capabilities.
Full and open competition likely resulted in a competitive price and a capable vendor selection.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and related maintenance. The market for IT support and maintenance services for government agencies is substantial, driven by the increasing reliance on complex digital infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar facility maintenance contracts within the federal government often range from millions to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scale and criticality of the systems supported. This contract's value aligns with the typical investment required for maintaining mission-critical IT environments.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting requirements for small businesses mandated by this specific award. The primary contractor, M.C. Dean, Inc., is likely a large business. While this contract doesn't directly benefit small businesses through set-asides, the overall federal IT services market does involve small businesses in various capacities, and M.C. Dean may engage them as subcontractors on other projects or through their supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of Defense and the Defense Intelligence Agency. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and adherence to contract terms are key oversight functions. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract means oversight will focus heavily on performance delivery and compliance rather than cost management. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific operational details may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

Defense Intelligence Agency IT Support Services
Federal IT Infrastructure Maintenance Contracts
Computer Systems Design Services
Preventive Maintenance Contracts
Corrective Maintenance Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor's resources are overstretched.
Risk of outdated technology or maintenance practices if not actively managed.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical system upkeep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.9 million to M. C. DEAN, INC.. UMCS PREVENTIVE & CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE DIA HQ

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is M. C. DEAN, 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 $24.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-02-17. End: 2026-02-16.

What is the track record of M.C. Dean, Inc. in performing similar IT maintenance contracts for the federal government?

M.C. Dean, Inc. has a significant history of performing complex facilities and infrastructure projects for various government agencies, including the Department of Defense. Their experience often encompasses electrical, mechanical, and IT systems maintenance. While specific details on past performance for UMCS maintenance at DIA HQ are not provided in this data, their general profile suggests they are a capable contractor for such services. A deeper dive into their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any reported issues on similar contracts, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record.

How does the awarded amount of $24.9 million compare to historical spending on UMCS maintenance at DIA HQ?

Without historical spending data specifically for UMCS maintenance at DIA HQ, a direct comparison is not possible. However, the $24.9 million award over three years ($8.3 million annually) represents a substantial commitment. To assess value, this figure should be compared against previous contracts for similar services, if available, or against industry benchmarks for maintaining comparable IT infrastructure in large federal facilities. Factors such as the scope of systems covered, the criticality of the UMCS, and the specific maintenance requirements (preventive vs. corrective) will influence the appropriateness of this spending level.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, leading to IT system downtime or degradation, and the possibility of cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price contract is not managed effectively or if unforeseen issues arise. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust performance monitoring by the government, clearly defined service level agreements (SLAs), and regular progress reviews. The firm-fixed-price structure itself mitigates cost risk for the government by capping expenses. Contractor selection through full and open competition also aims to mitigate risk by choosing a capable and competitive vendor.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this specific IT maintenance service?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective for ensuring value for money when the scope of work is well-defined, as it is presumed to be for routine preventive and corrective maintenance. This structure incentivizes the contractor, M.C. Dean, Inc., to manage costs efficiently and perform services within the agreed-upon price, as any cost savings benefit them. For the government, it provides budget certainty. Value for money is realized if the contractor delivers the required services at the agreed price without compromising quality. Oversight is crucial to ensure performance standards are met.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader IT services market, particularly for small businesses?

As this contract was awarded under full and open competition and is not a small business set-aside, its direct impact on small businesses is limited. M.C. Dean, Inc., as the prime contractor, will be responsible for delivering the services. While large prime contractors often utilize small businesses for subcontracting, there is no explicit mandate here. The broader impact on the IT services market relates to the government's continued investment in maintaining critical infrastructure, which signals demand for such services. This could indirectly benefit the small business ecosystem if M.C. Dean sources materials or specialized support from them.

Are there specific performance metrics or KPIs tied to this contract that indicate its expected effectiveness?

The provided data does not specify the performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract. However, for a contract of this nature (preventive and corrective maintenance for critical IT systems), typical KPIs would likely include response times for corrective maintenance requests, system uptime percentages, successful completion rates for preventive maintenance tasks, and adherence to security protocols. The effectiveness of the contract will be measured against these metrics, which are usually detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT › INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: W912DY17R0014

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1765 GREENSBORO STATION PLACE SUITE 1400, TYSONS, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,701,310

Exercised Options: $25,505,772

Current Obligation: $24,920,772

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 47

Total Subaward Amount: $5,605,643

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912DY20D0034

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline