DoD's $36M Information Operations Advisory Task Force contract awarded to Amentum National Security Programs, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $36,289,315 ($36.3M)
Contractor: Amentum National Security Programs, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-08-07
End Date: 2011-02-06
Contract Duration: 548 days
Daily Burn Rate: $66.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: INFORMATION OPERATIONS ADVISORY TASK FORCE
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $36.3 million to AMENTUM NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS, INC for work described as: INFORMATION OPERATIONS ADVISORY TASK FORCE Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust market. 2. The contract duration of 548 days indicates a medium-term engagement. 3. Amentum National Security Programs, Inc. is the sole awardee for this specific task order. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 6. This contract was awarded as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this $36.29 million contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable task orders. The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure is generally favorable for cost control, but the overall value depends heavily on the quality and impact of the advisory services provided. Without more detailed information on the scope of work and deliverables, it's difficult to definitively assess if the price represents excellent value for money. The contract's duration of 548 days suggests a significant, but not exceptionally long, engagement.
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 presence of 3 bidders (as suggested by 'no': 3) implies a competitive environment, which typically leads to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The specific details of the bidding process, such as the number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria, are not provided, but the designation suggests a fair and transparent procurement.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received, ensuring government funds are used efficiently.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army and potentially other elements within the Department of Defense requiring information operations advisory support. The services delivered are professional, scientific, and technical in nature, focused on advisory tasks related to information operations. The geographic impact is likely within the operational areas or headquarters of the Department of Defense, though specific locations are not detailed. Workforce implications would involve specialized personnel from Amentum National Security Programs, Inc. providing expertise in information operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to gauge the effectiveness and true value of the advisory services.
- The broad NAICS code (541990) can sometimes indicate a less specialized service, requiring careful oversight to ensure relevant expertise is applied.
- Information operations can be a sensitive area; the specific nature of the advisory services and their potential impact require careful monitoring.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that should yield fair pricing.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor, potentially leading to better budget predictability.
- The contract is a delivery order, indicating it was likely awarded under an existing IDIQ contract, which can streamline procurement for related services.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls under the 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector, specifically NAICS code 541990. This broad category encompasses a wide range of specialized services. Within the defense sector, such advisory contracts are crucial for developing strategies and capabilities in complex areas like information operations. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the precise nature of the advisory services, but the Department of Defense consistently spends billions annually on professional and technical services to support its global mission.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses ('sb': false). There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or performance. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, unless Amentum National Security Programs, Inc. utilizes small businesses in its subcontracting efforts, which is not detailed here.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the relevant program management office within the Department of the Army. As a professional services contract, performance monitoring and quality assurance would be key oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract award data, but detailed operational oversight and accountability measures are internal to the agency. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Information Operations
- Intelligence Support Services
- Technical Advisory Services
- Department of Defense Contracts
- Professional Services Contracts
Risk Flags
- Contract Duration
- Scope Definition
- Performance Metrics
- Sensitive Information Handling
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, professional-scientific-and-technical-services, information-operations, advisory-services, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, amentum-national-security-programs-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $36.3 million to AMENTUM NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS, INC. INFORMATION OPERATIONS ADVISORY TASK FORCE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMENTUM NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS, 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 $36.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-08-07. End: 2011-02-06.
What specific expertise does Amentum National Security Programs, Inc. bring to information operations advisory services?
Amentum National Security Programs, Inc. is a subsidiary of Amentum, a large government contractor with a broad portfolio including defense, intelligence, and energy sectors. Their expertise typically spans complex engineering, technology, and mission support services. For information operations, this likely translates to capabilities in areas such as strategic communication, cyber intelligence, psychological operations support, and analysis of adversary information campaigns. Their track record in supporting national security missions suggests they possess the necessary clearances and understanding of the sensitive nature of information operations. However, the specific qualifications and personnel assigned to this particular task order would need further verification to confirm direct relevance and depth of expertise.
How does the $36.29 million contract value compare to similar information operations advisory contracts within the DoD?
Direct comparison of the $36.29 million value is difficult without knowing the precise scope, duration, and deliverables of this specific 'Information Operations Advisory Task Force' contract. Information operations support can range from broad strategic consulting to highly specialized technical analysis. Contracts for similar advisory services within the DoD can vary significantly, from smaller, focused engagements costing a few million dollars to large, multi-year programs exceeding tens or hundreds of millions. The 548-day duration (approximately 1.5 years) for this contract suggests a substantial, ongoing effort. To provide a more accurate benchmark, one would need to identify contracts with comparable objectives, service levels, and contractor types within the DoD's information warfare or strategic communications portfolios.
What are the primary risks associated with a contract for information operations advisory services?
Key risks include the potential for mission creep, where the scope of advisory services expands beyond the original intent without adequate oversight or funding adjustments. There's also a risk of providing advice that is ineffective or counterproductive, especially in the rapidly evolving landscape of information operations. Ensuring the contractor maintains strict confidentiality and adheres to ethical guidelines is paramount, given the sensitive nature of the work. Furthermore, reliance on external advisors can sometimes lead to a degradation of organic government capabilities if not managed properly. Finally, the effectiveness of the advice is contingent on the quality of the intelligence and analysis provided to the advisors, introducing a dependency risk.
How effective is the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type in managing costs for advisory services like these?
The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for managing costs when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks are understood. For advisory services, FFP shifts the primary cost risk to the contractor, Amentum National Security Programs, Inc. This means the contractor is obligated to complete the work within the agreed-upon price, regardless of their actual costs. This structure incentivizes the contractor to be efficient and manage their resources effectively. However, if the scope of work is ambiguous or subject to significant change, FFP can lead to contractor requests for equitable adjustments or potential disputes, which can negate some of the cost control benefits. For well-defined advisory tasks, FFP provides budget certainty for the government.
What is the historical spending pattern for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990) within the Department of Defense?
The Department of Defense is a significant consumer of services classified under NAICS code 541990. Historical spending data reveals billions of dollars awarded annually across various agencies within the DoD for these 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' This category often includes specialized consulting, research support, program management assistance, and other unique technical services that don't fit neatly into more specific NAICS codes. Spending in this area tends to fluctuate based on evolving mission requirements, technological advancements, and strategic priorities. The DoD's reliance on these services underscores their importance in augmenting government capabilities across a wide spectrum of operational and analytical needs.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: AECOM
Address: 6564 LOISDALE CT STE 500, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 22150
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $36,289,315
Exercised Options: $36,289,315
Current Obligation: $36,289,315
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W52P1J09D0043
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-08-07
Current End Date: 2011-02-06
Potential End Date: 2011-02-06 12:02:00
Last Modified: 2022-04-08
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