DHS awards $124M contract for engineering services to ManTech, with 3 delivery orders issued

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $123,975,638 ($124.0M)

Contractor: Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2019-01-15

End Date: 2025-05-18

Contract Duration: 2,315 days

Daily Burn Rate: $53.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF CONTRACTOR SUPPORT SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $124.0 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF CONTRACTOR SUPPORT SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract value of $124M over 5 years suggests a significant investment in engineering support. 2. Full and open competition indicates a broad market search, potentially leading to competitive pricing. 3. The contract's duration and multiple delivery orders point to ongoing, evolving needs for engineering services. 4. Performance is categorized under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330), a common area for federal outsourcing. 5. The contract's structure with delivery orders allows for flexibility in tasking and resource allocation. 6. The award to ManTech Advanced Systems International, Inc. places a key engineering services provider within DHS.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total contract value of $124M over approximately 5 years averages around $24.8M annually. Without specific benchmarks for comparable engineering services contracts within DHS or similar agencies, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the use of full and open competition suggests an effort to secure competitive pricing. The contract type (Time and Materials) can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed closely, but it also offers flexibility for evolving requirements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit an offer. The data indicates three delivery orders have been issued against this contract. The level of competition at the initial award stage is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation implies a robust bidding process was intended, which generally supports price discovery and potentially better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to maximize the pool of potential offerors, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and securing services at the best possible price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within the Department of Homeland Security, receiving essential engineering support services. Services delivered likely encompass a range of engineering disciplines crucial for CBP's operational infrastructure, technology, and security systems. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the contractor is located, but the services support national-level CBP operations. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled engineering jobs at the contractor's facility and indirectly supporting CBP's mission-critical functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost creep with Time and Materials contract type if not closely monitored.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical engineering services could pose a risk if performance falters.
The broad scope of 'Engineering Services' could lead to undefined requirements if not managed meticulously.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process to secure services.
Multiple delivery orders indicate ongoing need and successful task execution to date.
Contract duration of over 5 years allows for long-term planning and relationship building with the contractor.

Sector Analysis

Engineering Services (NAICS 541330) is a significant sector within federal contracting, encompassing a wide array of technical support for government programs. This contract fits within the broader IT and Defense support services landscape, where specialized engineering expertise is often required for complex systems. Comparable spending benchmarks for engineering services can vary widely based on specialization, but contracts in this range are common for agencies with substantial operational and technological needs like DHS.

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 small business set-aside. The prime contractor, ManTech Advanced Systems International, Inc., is likely a large business, and their subcontracting practices would need to be assessed separately to understand any impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection contracting officers and program managers. The contract's performance and financial aspects would be subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms. While no specific Inspector General jurisdiction is mentioned, the DHS Office of Inspector General would have oversight authority over potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security IT Support Services
CBP Technology Modernization Programs
Federal Engineering Consulting Services
Defense Engineering Support Contracts
Government IT and Engineering Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Scope definition and management challenges for broad engineering services.
Contractor performance risk on a large-value, long-term engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $124.0 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. IGF::CL::IGF CONTRACTOR SUPPORT SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

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

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $124.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-01-15. End: 2025-05-18.

What is the historical spending pattern for engineering services by U.S. Customs and Border Protection?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for engineering services by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is crucial for understanding the agency's reliance on external expertise and the evolution of its needs. While specific historical data for this contract is not provided, CBP, as a large component of DHS, consistently requires significant engineering support for its vast array of operational systems, including border security technology, surveillance equipment, communication networks, and data management infrastructure. Past contracts in this domain would likely show a trend of increasing complexity and technological integration, reflecting advancements in security and operational requirements. The agency's budget allocations for engineering services would fluctuate based on major program initiatives, system upgrades, and maintenance cycles. Understanding these patterns helps in benchmarking current contract values and assessing the long-term investment in engineering capabilities.

How does the pricing structure (Time and Materials) compare to other federal engineering service contracts?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one awarded to ManTech, are common for federal engineering services when the scope of work is not clearly defined at the outset or is expected to evolve. Compared to fixed-price contracts, T&M offers flexibility, allowing the government to adapt to changing requirements without extensive re-negotiation. However, T&M contracts carry a higher risk of cost overruns if not managed diligently, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred. Other federal engineering contracts might utilize Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) or Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) structures. CPFF provides a degree of flexibility while capping profit, and FFP offers the most cost certainty but requires a well-defined scope. For engineering services where innovation or unforeseen technical challenges are likely, T&M can be appropriate, but it necessitates robust oversight and detailed reporting from the contractor to ensure fair pricing and prevent abuse.

What is ManTech Advanced Systems International, Inc.'s track record with federal engineering service contracts?

ManTech Advanced Systems International, Inc. has a substantial track record as a government contractor, particularly in providing advanced engineering, IT, and technical services across various federal agencies. Their portfolio often includes complex projects related to defense, intelligence, and homeland security. For engineering services specifically, ManTech has been involved in areas such as systems engineering, software development, cybersecurity, and mission support. Their history with federal contracts would typically be available through public databases like FPDS-NG or SAM.gov, which detail past performance, contract values, and agency clients. A review of their past performance ratings and any significant contract disputes or awards would provide insight into their reliability, technical capabilities, and ability to deliver on complex engineering requirements for agencies like DHS.

What are the potential risks associated with a $124M engineering services contract awarded via full and open competition?

While full and open competition is generally beneficial, a $124M engineering services contract carries inherent risks. One primary risk is the potential for scope creep, especially with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, where undefined requirements can lead to escalating costs. Contractor performance is another key risk; even with a strong track record, unforeseen technical challenges or management issues could impact service delivery. Dependence on a single large contract for a significant portion of revenue could also pose a risk to the contractor's stability, indirectly affecting service continuity. Furthermore, the sheer size of the contract means that any failure in execution could have a substantial impact on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's mission-critical operations. Robust contract management, clear performance metrics, and proactive risk mitigation strategies are essential to address these potential issues.

How does this contract align with the Department of Homeland Security's strategic goals for border security and technology?

This contract for engineering services directly supports the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) overarching mission, particularly for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which is tasked with securing the nation's borders. Engineering services are fundamental to the development, implementation, maintenance, and modernization of the complex technological systems CBP relies upon. This includes surveillance technology, sensor networks, data analytics platforms, communication systems, and physical infrastructure enhancements. By providing specialized engineering expertise, the contract enables CBP to adapt to evolving threats, improve operational efficiency, and leverage cutting-edge technologies. The longevity of the contract (over 5 years) suggests it is aligned with long-term strategic objectives for enhancing border security capabilities and ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of critical infrastructure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering 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

Solicitation ID: 70B02C18Q00000115

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

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: $231,670,688

Exercised Options: $135,940,061

Current Obligation: $123,975,638

Actual Outlays: $56,645,442

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 15

Total Subaward Amount: $27,411,163

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU124

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline