DHS awards $34.5M IT O&M contract to ManTech for TSA mission systems

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,494,292 ($34.5M)

Contractor: Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2022-08-27

End Date: 2023-05-31

Contract Duration: 277 days

Daily Burn Rate: $124.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M) SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ALL MAJOR TSD MISSION OPERATIONS SYSTEMS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $34.5 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: IT OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M) SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ALL MAJOR TSD MISSION OPERATIONS SYSTEMS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential IT Operations and Maintenance for critical TSA mission systems. 2. The contract was awarded using full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. Performance period is relatively short at 277 days, indicating a focused scope. 5. The award value is moderate for IT O&M services within a federal agency. 6. The contractor, ManTech, is a known entity in the federal IT services space.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $34.5 million for a 9-month period for IT O&M services appears reasonable given the scope of supporting major mission operations systems. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT O&M contracts for federal agencies suggests this falls within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost predictability, which is a positive indicator for value. Without specific details on the exact systems supported and the complexity of the maintenance required, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the initial indicators are positive.

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 bids. The presence of 124 bids suggests a highly competitive environment. A large number of bidders typically drives down prices and encourages innovative solutions, which is beneficial for the government. The extensive competition likely resulted in a strong price discovery process, ensuring the government received competitive pricing for these critical IT services.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract is a significant win for taxpayers, as it likely led to a more favorable price than a less competitive procurement. It demonstrates that the government is leveraging market forces effectively to secure essential services at a good value.

Public Impact

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) benefits directly through the continued operation and maintenance of its mission-critical IT systems. Passengers and the traveling public indirectly benefit from the reliable functioning of security and operational systems. The contract supports IT operations and maintenance personnel, likely within the Virginia area where the contractor is located. Ensures the continuity of essential security screening and operational processes managed by the TSA.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if knowledge transfer is not managed effectively at contract end.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical mission systems could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Scope creep could occur if not managed tightly within the defined O&M tasks.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition with a high number of bids, indicating strong market interest and likely competitive pricing.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty and reduces the risk of cost overruns for the government.
Contractor, ManTech, is an established provider of federal IT services, suggesting experience and capability.
The contract supports critical mission operations, indicating its importance and likely adherence to high performance standards.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT Services sector, specifically focusing on Operations and Maintenance (O&M) for complex government systems. The federal IT O&M market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in maintaining and upgrading their technological infrastructure to support mission objectives. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT O&M contracts within agencies like DHS often range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope and criticality of the systems involved. This contract represents a moderate-sized investment within this broader sector.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded under full and open competition. While the prime contractor, ManTech, is a large business, there is no explicit information provided regarding small business subcontracting goals or performance for this specific award. The high number of bidders in the full and open competition suggests that both large and potentially small businesses may have participated in the bidding process, but the primary award went to a large entity. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in subcontracting roles.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight mechanisms. As a firm fixed-price contract, financial oversight will focus on ensuring deliverables meet specifications. The Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration have internal oversight bodies, and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) can review contract disputes. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General oversight would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

IT Operations and Maintenance Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Homeland Security IT Contracts
Transportation Security Administration Systems Support
Federal IT Services Contracts

Risk Flags

High number of bidders could indicate a poorly defined scope or an overly attractive contract vehicle.
Short contract duration may lead to frequent re-competition and associated transition costs.
Reliance on IT O&M for critical mission systems carries inherent operational risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $34.5 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. IT OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M) SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ALL MAJOR TSD MISSION OPERATIONS SYSTEMS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS.

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 (Transportation Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $34.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-27. End: 2023-05-31.

What is ManTech's track record with the Department of Homeland Security and the TSA?

ManTech Advanced Systems International, Inc. has a significant history of contracting with various U.S. federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its components like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Reviewing historical contract data reveals numerous awards to ManTech for a range of services, often including IT support, systems engineering, cybersecurity, and mission support. For instance, ManTech has previously been awarded contracts for IT O&M, software development, and integration services for TSA systems. Their consistent presence and multiple contract awards suggest a generally positive working relationship and demonstrated capability in meeting the agency's requirements. However, a deeper dive into past performance reviews, any past disputes, or specific performance metrics on prior TSA contracts would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record.

How does the $34.5 million award compare to similar IT O&M contracts for federal agencies?

The $34.5 million award for IT Operations and Maintenance (O&M) support services for TSA mission systems over a 277-day period (approximately 9 months) is a moderate-sized contract within the federal IT landscape. Large federal agencies like DHS often award IT O&M contracts ranging from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, depending on the complexity and scale of the systems supported. For example, contracts supporting enterprise-wide IT infrastructure, large databases, or critical national security systems can easily exceed $100 million per year. This specific award, while substantial, appears focused on specific mission operations systems rather than an entire agency's IT backbone. Therefore, it represents a significant but not exceptionally large investment for specialized IT O&M support, falling within the expected range for such services.

What are the primary risks associated with this IT O&M contract?

Several risks are associated with this IT Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contract. A primary risk is **performance failure**: if ManTech fails to adequately maintain the critical TSA mission systems, it could disrupt security operations, leading to significant national security and public safety implications. **Vendor lock-in** is another concern; as the incumbent provider, ManTech may possess unique knowledge of the systems, making it difficult and costly for the government to transition to a new vendor in the future. **Security vulnerabilities** are also a risk; any lapse in cybersecurity practices by the contractor could expose sensitive data or critical infrastructure to breaches. Finally, **cost overruns**, although mitigated by the firm fixed-price structure, could still occur if unforeseen technical challenges arise that require significant additional resources not fully anticipated in the initial bid.

How effective is the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type in managing costs for this service?

The Firm Fixed-Price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for managing costs in IT Operations and Maintenance (O&M) services when the scope of work is well-defined and understood, as is often the case with established systems. Under an FFP contract, the contractor agrees to a set price for the specified services, regardless of the actual costs incurred. This shifts the cost risk from the government to the contractor. For the TSA's IT O&M needs, this means the government has a high degree of certainty about the total expenditure. ManTech is incentivized to perform efficiently to maximize their profit margin. While unforeseen technical issues could still pose challenges, the FFP structure provides a strong baseline for cost control and predictability, making it a favorable choice for taxpayers in this context.

What is the historical spending trend for IT O&M services at the TSA?

Analyzing historical spending trends for IT Operations and Maintenance (O&M) services at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reveals a consistent and significant investment in maintaining its technological infrastructure. Over the past several fiscal years, the TSA has allocated substantial portions of its budget towards IT O&M, reflecting the critical nature of its mission in ensuring aviation security. Spending typically fluctuates based on system modernization efforts, upgrades, and the overall lifecycle of deployed technologies. While specific year-over-year figures for IT O&M can vary, the overall trend indicates a sustained need for these services, often in the range of tens to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope of support required. This $34.5 million award fits within this pattern of ongoing investment in essential IT support.

What are the implications of having 124 bids for this contract?

The submission of 124 bids for this IT O&M contract signifies a highly competitive procurement process. This large number of offers indicates strong market interest and suggests that the contract requirements were clearly defined and accessible to a wide range of potential vendors, including both large and potentially smaller specialized firms. From a taxpayer perspective, this level of competition is highly beneficial. It typically drives down prices as contractors vie to offer the most competitive bid to win the award. Furthermore, it increases the likelihood that the government will receive innovative solutions and high-quality service delivery, as contractors are motivated to differentiate themselves. The extensive competition enhances the government's ability to secure optimal value for its investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70T02022Q7500N008

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mantech International Corporation

Address: 2251 CORPORATE PARK DRIVE, 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: $34,813,365

Exercised Options: $34,711,121

Current Obligation: $34,494,292

Actual Outlays: $33,748,568

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 45

Total Subaward Amount: $14,616,228

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCK18D0031

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline