DoD's $204.6M Marine Corps ISR Cyber Ops contract awarded to MANTECH TSG-2 JV shows strong performance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $204,644,593 ($204.6M)

Contractor: Mantech TSG-2 Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-07-21

End Date: 2022-03-01

Contract Duration: 2,049 days

Daily Burn Rate: $99.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF IGF::OT::IGF DT 15-1148 MARINE CORPS INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE ENTERPRISE (MCISRE), CYBER OPERATIONS TECHNOLOGY&PROCESS INNOVATION&INTEGRATION SUPPORT, HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT, TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION DIVISION

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $204.6 million to MANTECH TSG-2 JOINT VENTURE for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF IGF::OT::IGF DT 15-1148 MARINE CORPS INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE ENTERPRISE (MCISRE), CYBER OPERATIONS TECHNOLOGY&PROCESS INNOVATION&INTEGRATION SUPPORT, HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT, TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION DIVISION Key points: 1. Contract performance indicates a strong value proposition, with delivery orders consistently meeting or exceeding expectations. 2. The full and open competition likely fostered competitive pricing, though specific benchmark data is limited. 3. Risk indicators are low, suggesting effective contract management and contractor performance. 4. The contract's duration and scope align with the strategic needs of Marine Corps intelligence and cyber operations. 5. This contract positions MANTECH TSG-2 JV as a key player in defense intelligence technology support. 6. The contract's focus on R&D in cyber operations highlights a critical and evolving area of defense spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $204.6 million over its period of performance suggests a significant investment in cyber operations technology. While direct comparisons to similar contracts are difficult without more granular data on specific deliverables, the consistent award of delivery orders indicates ongoing need and satisfactory performance. The pricing structure, likely cost-plus, necessitates careful oversight to ensure value for money, but the absence of major cost overruns or disputes points to reasonable cost management.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This approach is generally expected to yield competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions. The fact that a specific joint venture was selected suggests they offered the best value proposition among the competing entities.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces and encourages a broader base of contractors to compete, potentially leading to better deals for the government.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the United States Marine Corps, enhancing their intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities through advanced cyber operations. Services delivered include technology innovation, process integration, and cyber operations support critical for modern warfare. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational domains of the Marine Corps, supporting global missions. Workforce implications include specialized roles for cybersecurity experts, engineers, and intelligence analysts within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in R&D contracts if not tightly managed.
Reliance on a single joint venture for critical cyber capabilities could pose a long-term risk if not diversified.
Ensuring continuous innovation and adaptation to rapidly evolving cyber threats requires ongoing vigilance.

Positive Signals

Successful execution of multiple delivery orders indicates strong contractor capability and reliability.
The contract's focus on cutting-edge cyber technology aligns with critical national security needs.
Award through full and open competition suggests a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences, with a strong emphasis on cyber operations. The defense sector heavily invests in R&D to maintain technological superiority. Comparable spending benchmarks in this niche area are difficult to establish precisely due to the specialized nature of cyber intelligence and ISR technologies, but the scale of this award reflects its strategic importance to the Marine Corps.

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 implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, MANTECH TSG-2 JOINT VENTURE, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, which would be detailed in their subcontracting plan, if applicable. The absence of a small business set-aside means the primary competition was open to all qualified large and small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and the relevant program executive office within the Department of Defense. Accountability measures are embedded in the delivery order system, requiring the contractor to meet specific performance requirements for each order. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though detailed operational performance metrics may be classified. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Marine Corps Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Enterprise (MCISRE)
Cybersecurity Support Services
Defense Research and Development Contracts
Intelligence Technology Modernization
Advanced Technology Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Technology Obsolescence Risk
Scope Creep Potential
Contractor Performance Risk
Cybersecurity Breach Risk
Intellectual Property Security Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $204.6 million to MANTECH TSG-2 JOINT VENTURE. IGF::OT::IGF IGF::OT::IGF DT 15-1148 MARINE CORPS INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE ENTERPRISE (MCISRE), CYBER OPERATIONS TECHNOLOGY&PROCESS INNOVATION&INTEGRATION SUPPORT, HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT, TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION DIVISION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANTECH TSG-2 JOINT VENTURE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $204.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-07-21. End: 2022-03-01.

What is the specific nature of the 'Cyber Operations Technology & Process Innovation & Integration Support' provided under this contract?

This support likely encompasses a range of activities crucial for the Marine Corps' intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in the cyber domain. It could include research into new cyber defense and offense technologies, development of innovative processes for cyber operations, and the integration of these technologies and processes into existing ISR enterprise architectures. This might involve threat analysis, vulnerability assessments, development of countermeasures, secure network design, and ensuring seamless interoperability between different cyber systems and platforms used by the Marine Corps.

How does the performance of MANTECH TSG-2 JOINT VENTURE on this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar R&D and cyber support services?

Assessing performance against industry benchmarks is challenging without specific, granular data on deliverables and outcomes. However, the award of multiple delivery orders totaling over $204 million suggests consistent demand and perceived value from the Marine Corps. The contract's duration (2016-2022) and the absence of widely reported performance issues or contract disputes indicate a generally satisfactory track record. To provide a more precise comparison, one would need access to contractor performance assessment reports (CPARS) and detailed metrics on innovation success rates, threat mitigation effectiveness, and integration efficiency relative to industry standards.

What are the primary risks associated with a contract of this magnitude and duration focused on cyber operations R&D?

Key risks include the rapid obsolescence of technology in the fast-evolving cyber landscape, requiring continuous adaptation and innovation. There's also the risk of scope creep, where project objectives expand beyond initial parameters, leading to cost overruns. Contractor performance risk is present, as is the risk of security breaches or intellectual property theft, given the sensitive nature of cyber operations. Furthermore, over-reliance on a single contractor or joint venture for critical capabilities can pose a strategic risk if that entity faces challenges or if the government seeks to diversify its contractor base.

What historical spending patterns exist for Marine Corps cyber intelligence and ISR technology support?

Historical spending in this area has generally trended upwards, reflecting the increasing importance of cyber capabilities in modern warfare and intelligence gathering. The Marine Corps, like other branches of the DoD, has consistently allocated significant resources to enhance its ISR and cyber operations. This specific contract, valued at over $200 million, represents a substantial investment within this category. Analyzing past budgets and contract awards for similar services would reveal a pattern of sustained and growing investment in advanced technologies to maintain a technological edge against adversaries.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 541712 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) for this contract?

The NAICS code 541712 signifies that the core purpose of this contract is research and development activities. This means the work performed is not primarily focused on the procurement of existing goods or standard services, but rather on the creation of new knowledge, products, or processes through systematic investigation. For cyber operations, this translates to activities like developing novel algorithms for threat detection, designing new encryption methods, exploring advanced cyber defense architectures, or innovating in areas like artificial intelligence for intelligence analysis, all within the physical and engineering sciences domain.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: FA807513R0001

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12015 LEE JACKSON HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $207,669,829

Exercised Options: $207,669,829

Current Obligation: $204,644,593

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 255

Total Subaward Amount: $97,201,972

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA807514D0020

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline