DoD's $87.4M contract for open-source intel analysis in Afghanistan awarded to Amentum
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $87,408,098 ($87.4M)
Contractor: Amentum National Security Programs, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2010-12-06
End Date: 2018-04-19
Contract Duration: 2,691 days
Daily Burn Rate: $32.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PROVIDE USFOR-A WITH THE CAPABILITY TO COLLECT, ANALYZE, AND DISSEMINATE OPEN SOURCE INFORMATION THROUGHT AFGHANISTAN TO MEASURE TRENDS IN LOCAL SENTIMMENT REGARDING USFOR-A PROGRAMS AND POLICIES.
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $87.4 million to AMENTUM NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS, INC for work described as: PROVIDE USFOR-A WITH THE CAPABILITY TO COLLECT, ANALYZE, AND DISSEMINATE OPEN SOURCE INFORMATION THROUGHT AFGHANISTAN TO MEASURE TRENDS IN LOCAL SENTIMMENT REGARDING USFOR-A PROGRAMS AND POLICIES. Key points: 1. Contract aimed to gauge local sentiment on USFOR-A programs and policies. 2. Amentum National Security Programs, Inc. secured the deal. 3. The contract spanned nearly 7.5 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Spending on 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' can vary widely.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award of $87.4M over 7.5 years suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables, but the per-year cost is approximately $11.6M, which seems substantial for intelligence analysis services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for intelligence gathering and sentiment analysis to inform USFOR-A operations and policy.
Public Impact
Provided insights into local Afghan sentiment regarding US military presence and policies. Supported decision-making for USFOR-A by offering data on public perception. The duration of the contract suggests ongoing requirements for this type of analysis.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
- Geopolitical instability in Afghanistan could impact data collection and analysis reliability.
- Defining 'sentiment' and measuring its change objectively presents challenges.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Long contract duration indicates sustained need and potential for relationship building.
- Focus on open-source information may be cost-effective compared to other intelligence methods.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services. Spending in this broad category can be highly variable, depending on the specific nature of the services required, such as research, analysis, or consulting.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the prime contractor is Amentum National Security Programs, Inc. There is no information provided regarding small business participation in this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically involve regular reporting from the contractor to the Department of the Army, with performance reviews and quality assurance checks to ensure the effectiveness of the intelligence analysis.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration is lengthy, suggesting potential for cost overruns or evolving requirements.
- Geopolitical context of Afghanistan presents inherent data collection and analysis challenges.
- Measuring the 'sentiment' accurately is inherently subjective and difficult.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes objective evaluation challenging.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $87.4 million to AMENTUM NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS, INC. PROVIDE USFOR-A WITH THE CAPABILITY TO COLLECT, ANALYZE, AND DISSEMINATE OPEN SOURCE INFORMATION THROUGHT AFGHANISTAN TO MEASURE TRENDS IN LOCAL SENTIMMENT REGARDING USFOR-A PROGRAMS AND POLICIES.
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 $87.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-12-06. End: 2018-04-19.
How effectively did the collected open-source information reflect actual local sentiment in Afghanistan?
The effectiveness of the collected open-source information in reflecting actual local sentiment is difficult to ascertain without specific performance metrics or independent validation. Challenges in Afghanistan included potential for misinformation, language barriers, and the difficulty of interpreting nuanced cultural contexts through digital or publicly available sources. The contract's success would hinge on robust methodologies for data collection, analysis, and cross-referencing.
What were the primary risks associated with collecting and analyzing open-source intelligence in a conflict zone like Afghanistan?
Key risks included the reliability and veracity of the open-source data itself, potential for manipulation by adversaries, and the security of data collection methods. In Afghanistan, geopolitical instability, cultural sensitivities, and the dynamic nature of information flow presented significant challenges. Ensuring the safety of personnel involved in data collection and maintaining analytical objectivity amidst a complex information environment were also critical risks.
Did the insights gained from this contract demonstrably improve USFOR-A's programs and policies?
The direct impact of the insights on improving USFOR-A's programs and policies is not detailed in the provided data. While the contract aimed to provide such information, its ultimate effectiveness would depend on how the intelligence was integrated into strategic planning and operational adjustments. Without post-contract analysis or documented policy changes attributed to this intelligence, the measure of improvement remains unclear.
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: $87,408,098
Exercised Options: $87,408,098
Current Obligation: $87,408,098
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W52P1J09D0043
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-12-06
Current End Date: 2018-04-19
Potential End Date: 2018-04-19 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-23
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