Dod's $280M Engineering Services Contract With Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc. Awarded in 2009

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $280,481,190 ($280.5M)

Contractor: Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-11-09

End Date: 2015-05-31

Contract Duration: 2,029 days

Daily Burn Rate: $138.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: NON PERSONAL SERVICES, SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: FORT HUACHUCA, COCHISE County, ARIZONA, 85613

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $280.5 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: NON PERSONAL SERVICES, SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for non-personal services, scientific and engineering support. 2. Significant duration of the contract, spanning over 5 years. 3. Contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, indicating performance-based incentives. 4. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust bidding process. 5. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. 6. Geographic location of performance is Arizona. 7. The contract falls under the Engineering Services NAICS code 541330.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics and detailed cost breakdowns. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure suggests an intent to incentivize efficiency, but the total award amount of $280.5 million over its life indicates substantial investment. Without comparable contracts for similar engineering services with identical scope and duration, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The contract's long duration might suggest a stable, ongoing need for these services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, implying that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The data indicates there were 3 bids received. A full and open competition generally fosters price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer. However, the fact that it resulted in a definitive contract awarded to a single entity suggests that MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. was the chosen provider among the bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure competitive pricing and the best possible technical solutions by allowing a wide range of potential contractors to participate.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense and its various branches, receiving critical engineering and scientific support. Services delivered include scientific and engineering expertise essential for defense projects and operations. The contract's performance is based in Arizona, potentially impacting the local economy and workforce. Workforce implications may include the employment of engineers, scientists, and technical support staff within MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly, as the contractor is reimbursed for costs plus an award fee based on performance.
The long duration of the contract (over 5 years) could indicate a lack of flexibility or potential for vendor lock-in if requirements change.
Limited information on the specific engineering services provided makes it difficult to assess the true necessity and efficiency of the spending.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that likely yielded a fair price.
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivizes the contractor to meet or exceed performance standards, potentially leading to higher quality outcomes.
The substantial award amount suggests the services provided are critical and of high value to the Department of Defense.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise and often supports complex government and private sector projects. The market size for engineering services is substantial, with significant government spending directed towards defense, infrastructure, and research and development. This specific contract, with its focus on scientific and engineering services for the Department of Defense, aligns with a major segment of government contracting within this sector.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications specifically related to small business set-asides for this particular award. The primary contractor, MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC., would be responsible for its own subcontracting strategy, which may or may not involve small businesses depending on the nature of the work and their procurement policies.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Army. As a Cost Plus Award Fee contract, performance monitoring would be crucial to ensure the contractor meets objectives and earns the award fee. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected or identified.

Related Government Programs

Defense Engineering Services
Scientific and Technical Services
Cost Plus Award Fee Contracts
Department of Defense Procurement
Army Engineering Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may limit flexibility.
Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires careful oversight to manage costs and ensure fair award fee determination.
Lack of specific service details hinders in-depth value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $280.5 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. NON PERSONAL SERVICES, SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING SERVICES

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 $280.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-11-09. End: 2015-05-31.

What specific engineering and scientific services were provided under this contract?

The provided data categorizes this contract under 'NON PERSONAL SERVICES, SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING SERVICES' and NAICS code '541330' (Engineering Services). However, it does not detail the specific types of engineering or scientific tasks performed. These could range widely, from systems engineering, research and development support, technical analysis, design, testing, to program management support for various defense initiatives. Without further documentation, the precise nature of the services remains general.

How does the total award amount of $280.5 million compare to similar engineering services contracts awarded by the DoD?

Comparing the $280.5 million total award amount requires context regarding the contract's duration, scope, and the specific services rendered. Contracts for large-scale defense engineering support can easily reach hundreds of millions of dollars, especially those with long performance periods and complex requirements. For instance, similar multi-year contracts for systems integration, research, or specialized technical support for major defense platforms often fall within this range. However, without knowing the specific deliverables and the number of bidders, a direct value comparison is difficult. The fact that it was a definitive contract awarded after full and open competition suggests the price was deemed competitive at the time of award.

What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract of this magnitude and duration?

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts, while incentivizing performance, carry inherent risks. For a contract of $280.5 million over several years, risks include potential for cost growth if the base cost estimates are inaccurate or if scope creep occurs without adequate controls. The 'award fee' component, while intended to reward superior performance, can also be subjective and lead to disputes if not clearly defined and objectively measured. Furthermore, the long duration might create a dependency on the contractor, potentially reducing flexibility for the government if requirements evolve significantly. Robust oversight and clear performance metrics are critical to mitigate these risks.

What was the historical spending pattern for engineering services by the Department of the Army prior to and during this contract's period?

The provided data focuses solely on this specific contract (2009-2015). To assess historical spending patterns, one would need access to broader DoD or Department of the Army procurement data for engineering services across multiple fiscal years. This would involve analyzing trends in contract awards, average contract values, and the distribution of spending across different types of engineering services and contractors. Without this broader dataset, it's impossible to determine if the $280.5 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for the Army in this category during that period.

How effective was MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. in meeting the performance objectives of this contract, as indicated by the award fee structure?

The data indicates the contract type is 'COST PLUS AWARD FEE' (pt: "COST PLUS AWARD FEE"), suggesting that the contractor's performance was evaluated against specific criteria to determine an award fee. However, the actual award fee amounts paid or the contractor's performance ratings are not provided in this dataset. To assess effectiveness, one would need to review performance reports, award fee determinations, and potentially any associated contract modifications or reviews. The absence of this information prevents a definitive assessment of MANTECH's effectiveness in meeting performance objectives.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W91RUS08R0025

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mantech International Corporation (UEI: 053518312)

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: $323,313,352

Exercised Options: $323,313,352

Current Obligation: $280,481,190

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline