GSA Awards $452M R&D Contract to Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc. for Mpra Requirement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $452,112,036 ($452.1M)

Contractor: Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2020-01-31

End Date: 2027-06-30

Contract Duration: 2,707 days

Daily Burn Rate: $167.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF:OT:IGF TASK ORDER AWARD FOR MPRA REQUIREMENT.

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22302

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $452.1 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: IGF:OT:IGF TASK ORDER AWARD FOR MPRA REQUIREMENT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost overruns if not managed carefully. 3. The duration of the contract is substantial, spanning over 2700 days, indicating a long-term need. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541712 points to research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 5. The contract is a delivery order under a larger task order, implying it's part of a broader acquisition strategy. 6. The awardee, MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC., has secured this significant R&D funding.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns and performance metrics. CPFF contracts can sometimes lead to higher costs than fixed-price agreements if cost controls are not robust. Comparing this to similar R&D contracts for MPRA requirements would provide better insight into whether the pricing is competitive. The significant duration and total value suggest a substantial undertaking, but the value-for-money assessment hinges on the successful delivery of R&D outcomes.

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 presence of multiple bidders (implied by 'full and open') typically fosters price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing. However, the specific number of bids received is not provided, which would offer a clearer picture of the actual competitive landscape.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting a more efficient allocation of resources and potentially lower prices due to a wider range of offers.

Public Impact

This contract is expected to advance research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences, potentially leading to new technologies or improved processes. The primary beneficiaries are likely government agencies requiring MPRA (Multi-Purpose Radar Array) capabilities, leading to enhanced operational effectiveness. The geographic impact is centered in Virginia, where the contractor is located, potentially creating or sustaining high-skilled jobs in the region. The R&D focus suggests a potential for innovation that could have broader applications beyond the immediate scope of the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can present a risk of cost escalation if not rigorously managed.
The long duration of the contract requires sustained oversight to ensure continued relevance and efficiency.
The specific nature of 'MPRA requirement' is not detailed, making it difficult to assess the full scope of R&D.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
The contract supports critical R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences.
The contractor is established, suggesting a degree of reliability in execution.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically NAICS code 541712. This sector is characterized by innovation and the pursuit of new knowledge and applications. Government spending in R&D is crucial for national security, technological advancement, and economic competitiveness. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale R&D contracts awarded by agencies like GSA or DoD for similar scientific or engineering endeavors.

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 for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC., is likely a large business. Opportunities for small businesses would typically arise through subcontracting opportunities if the prime contractor chooses to engage them, but this is not mandated by the contract's structure.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the purview of the General Services Administration (GSA) and potentially the specific program office that initiated the MPRA requirement. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight and performance monitoring are essential to ensure costs remain within reasonable bounds and that research objectives are met. Transparency would be facilitated through contract reporting requirements and potentially through GSA's public-facing contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development Contracts
Information Technology Services
Engineering Services
Defense Research
Scientific Research

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires careful oversight to manage costs.
Long contract duration may lead to technological obsolescence or shifting requirements.
Specific 'MPRA requirement' is not detailed, hindering full scope assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $452.1 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. IGF:OT:IGF TASK ORDER AWARD FOR MPRA REQUIREMENT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $452.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-01-31. End: 2027-06-30.

What is the specific MPRA requirement this contract addresses, and what are the expected R&D outcomes?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the 'MPRA requirement' or the detailed R&D outcomes expected. MPRA could stand for various technical applications, such as Multi-Purpose Radar Array or a specific project name. To assess the contract's effectiveness, understanding the technical objectives, deliverables, and key performance indicators is crucial. Without this context, it's difficult to evaluate the scientific merit or the potential impact of the research funded by this $452 million award. Further investigation into GSA solicitations or program documentation related to this award would be necessary to clarify the MPRA requirement and its intended R&D goals.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure compare to other contract types for similar R&D efforts, and what are the associated risks?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are common in R&D where the scope of work is not fully defined or is expected to evolve. The government pays the contractor's actual costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. This structure incentivizes innovation and flexibility, allowing research to adapt to new findings. However, it carries a risk of cost overruns if the government's oversight is insufficient, as the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs. Compared to fixed-price contracts, CPFF offers less cost certainty for the government but greater flexibility for the contractor. Other R&D contracts might use Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) or Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) to better align contractor performance with cost and technical goals.

What is MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.'s track record with GSA and similar R&D contracts?

Assessing MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.'s track record requires examining their past performance on government contracts, particularly with the General Services Administration (GSA) and in the R&D sector (NAICS 541712). Information on contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any past disputes or issues would be relevant. A strong history of successful project completion, adherence to budget, and timely delivery on similar R&D projects would indicate a lower performance risk for this $452 million award. Conversely, a history of cost overruns, missed deadlines, or poor quality on previous contracts would raise concerns.

What is the historical spending trend for MPRA-related R&D requirements within the GSA or relevant agencies?

The provided data does not offer historical spending trends for MPRA-related R&D. To establish such a trend, one would need to analyze GSA's contract databases and potentially other agency procurement records over several fiscal years. Identifying all contracts associated with 'MPRA' or similar technical functionalities, regardless of the specific awardee or contract type, would be necessary. This analysis would reveal whether spending on this type of R&D is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, providing context for the current $452 million award and informing future budget planning and procurement strategies.

What are the potential risks associated with the long contract duration (over 2700 days) for this R&D effort?

A contract duration exceeding 2700 days (approximately 7.4 years) for an R&D effort presents several potential risks. Firstly, technological obsolescence is a significant concern; research conducted early in the contract might be outdated by the time the project concludes. Secondly, the relevance of the initial MPRA requirement could diminish over such a long period due to shifting government priorities or evolving threats. Thirdly, maintaining consistent oversight and contractor engagement over many years can be challenging for the government. Finally, the long timeframe increases the likelihood of unforeseen cost increases due to inflation or changes in labor/material costs, even within a CPFF structure, if not managed proactively.

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

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mantech International Corporation

Address: 2251 CORPORATE PARK DR STE 600, HERNDON, VA, 20171

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $455,595,326

Exercised Options: $455,595,326

Current Obligation: $452,112,036

Actual Outlays: $-36,416

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 194

Total Subaward Amount: $452,311,832

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU422

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline