DoD's $13.9M contract for engineering services awarded to Manufacturing Technology, Inc. for data mining and maintenance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,867,860 ($13.9M)

Contractor: Manufacturing Technology, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-01-31

End Date: 2010-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,096 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ENGINEERING SERVICES IAW THE CET TITLED DMSMS AVCOM DATA MINING, LOADING, AND MAINTENANCE.

Place of Performance

Location: FORT WALTON BEACH, OKALOOSA County, FLORIDA, 32548

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $13.9 million to MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY, INC for work described as: ENGINEERING SERVICES IAW THE CET TITLED DMSMS AVCOM DATA MINING, LOADING, AND MAINTENANCE. Key points: 1. Contract focused on specialized data mining and maintenance for engineering services. 2. Awarded to a single contractor, Manufacturing Technology, Inc. 3. Contract duration of 1096 days (3 years). 4. Primarily supports the Department of the Air Force. 5. Falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences NAICS code. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.9 million for three years of engineering services, specifically data mining and maintenance, appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized R&D support. However, without specific benchmarks for 'DMSMS AVCOM DATA MINING, LOADING, AND MAINTENANCE' services, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type suggests the government bore the cost of performance, which can sometimes lead to less price sensitivity from the contractor. Further comparison to similar R&D data services contracts would be needed for a more definitive valuation.

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 offers. The data does not specify the number of bidders, but the 'full-and-open' designation suggests a competitive process was intended. This approach generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer from a range of potential providers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the most competitive pricing and best technical solutions available in the market.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of the Air Force, receiving specialized engineering and data management support. Services delivered include data mining, loading, and maintenance for the DMSMS AVCOM system. The geographic impact is primarily within Florida, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include specialized engineering and data analysis roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to gauge the effectiveness of the data mining and maintenance services.
The 'COST NO FEE' contract type can sometimes reduce contractor incentive for cost control.
Limited information on the specific 'DMSMS AVCOM' system makes it hard to assess the criticality and complexity of the services.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Contractor is Manufacturing Technology, Inc., which may have a track record in similar engineering services.
The contract duration of three years allows for continuity of essential services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). This sector is characterized by innovation and specialized technical expertise. The market size for such services can be substantial, driven by government and private sector needs for advanced research and technical solutions. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within government R&D spending reports and industry analyses of engineering and data services.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by 'sb': false. The award to Manufacturing Technology, Inc. does not appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses based on the provided data. This means the primary contract value did not directly flow to the small business sector through a set-aside mechanism.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program management office within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance requirements. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available, though detailed performance reports may not be. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Contracts
Air Force Engineering Services
Data Mining and Analytics Services
AVCOM System Support

Risk Flags

Cost Control Oversight Needed for Cost-Reimbursement Contracts
Performance Metrics Not Explicitly Defined
Limited Public Information on System Criticality

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $13.9 million to MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY, INC. ENGINEERING SERVICES IAW THE CET TITLED DMSMS AVCOM DATA MINING, LOADING, AND MAINTENANCE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-01-31. End: 2010-01-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'DMSMS AVCOM DATA MINING, LOADING, AND MAINTENANCE' services, and what is the criticality of this system to Air Force operations?

The 'DMSMS AVCOM' likely refers to a system related to the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) or a similar program focused on managing and maintaining data for aviation or command and control (AVCOM) systems. Data mining, loading, and maintenance services are crucial for ensuring the integrity, accessibility, and usability of critical information. For the Air Force, such systems could support logistics, intelligence, operational planning, or maintenance scheduling. The criticality of the AVCOM system would dictate the impact of any service disruptions or data inaccuracies. Without specific system documentation, it's challenging to pinpoint the exact operational reliance, but R&D contracts of this nature often support foundational data infrastructure for advanced military capabilities.

How does the 'COST NO FEE' contract type typically affect contractor performance and pricing compared to other contract types?

A 'COST NO FEE' (CNF) contract is a type of cost-reimbursement contract where the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs but receives no fee or profit. This contract type is generally used when the level of risk or uncertainty is high, and it's difficult to estimate costs accurately in advance, often seen in research and development or urgent situations. For the contractor, the primary incentive is cost recovery, not profit maximization, which can sometimes lead to less stringent cost control compared to fixed-price contracts. From the government's perspective, it ensures that necessary work is performed even with high uncertainty, but it requires robust oversight to manage costs effectively and prevent overspending. The absence of a fee means the government avoids paying a profit margin, which can be advantageous if costs are well-managed.

What is the typical cost range for similar engineering services contracts focused on data mining and maintenance within the DoD?

Determining a precise cost range for 'DMSMS AVCOM DATA MINING, LOADING, AND MAINTENANCE' services is difficult without more specific details about the scope, complexity, and duration of the work, as well as the specific technologies involved. However, engineering services contracts within the DoD, particularly those involving R&D, data analytics, and system maintenance, can vary widely. Contracts for specialized data services can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the criticality of the data, the sophistication of the analysis required, and the security protocols involved. For a three-year contract valued at approximately $13.9 million, the average annual cost is around $4.6 million. This figure needs to be benchmarked against contracts for similar data management and engineering support for complex defense systems to assess its competitiveness.

What is Manufacturing Technology, Inc.'s track record with the Department of Defense, particularly in R&D and data services?

Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) has a history of performing contracts with the Department of Defense. While the provided data focuses on this specific $13.9 million contract, a deeper dive into federal procurement databases would reveal the full extent of their DoD engagements. MTI's core competencies often lie in advanced manufacturing, materials science, and engineering support. Their involvement in R&D and data services suggests they possess the technical expertise required for complex projects. Assessing their track record would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, contract awards in similar service areas, and any reported issues or successes on previous DoD projects to gauge their reliability and capability in delivering on complex engineering and data-related requirements.

How does the geographic location of the contractor (Florida) potentially impact service delivery and costs for the Air Force?

The contractor, Manufacturing Technology, Inc., is located in Florida (ST: FL). For an engineering services contract involving data mining and maintenance, the geographic location can influence service delivery and costs in several ways. If the services can be performed remotely, the location might have minimal impact beyond standard communication and coordination. However, if on-site presence or access to specific facilities is required, a Florida-based contractor might incur travel costs or logistical challenges if the Air Force assets or personnel are located elsewhere. Conversely, if the Air Force has significant operations or facilities in Florida, the contractor's proximity could be advantageous for timely support and reduced travel expenses. The 'COST NO FEE' structure might mitigate some direct cost impacts of location on the government, but efficiency and responsiveness can still be affected.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: BAE Systems PLC (UEI: 217304393)

Address: 70 READY AVE NW, FORT WALTON BE, FL

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,752,858

Exercised Options: $13,867,860

Current Obligation: $13,867,860

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA822205D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline