DoD awards $4.1M contract for ACE services to MANO LANI LLC, a sole-source award

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,104,895 ($4.1M)

Contractor: Mano Lani LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-08-31

End Date: 2025-09-25

Contract Duration: 1,121 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PACAF A4 ACE SERVICE

Place of Performance

Location: PEARL HARBOR, HONOLULU County, HAWAII, 96860

State: Hawaii Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $4.1 million to MANO LANI LLC for work described as: PACAF A4 ACE SERVICE Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive opportunities and potentially impacting price. 2. The contract duration of over three years suggests a need for sustained support in administrative management. 3. Awarded to MANO LANI LLC, a company with limited public contract history, raising questions about performance track record. 4. The firm fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, which can be beneficial for the government. 5. Services fall under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting, a broad category with potential for efficiency gains. 6. Geographic location in Hawaii may indicate specific regional needs or limited local contractor availability.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the sole-source nature and lack of detailed service descriptions. The $4.1 million award over approximately three years suggests an annual spend of roughly $1.37 million. Without comparable sole-source contracts for similar administrative management services in the same geographic region, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents good value. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator, as it caps the government's financial exposure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded on a sole-source basis. This indicates that the Department of the Air Force identified a specific need that they determined could only be met by MANO LANI LLC, or that competition was otherwise deemed impractical or not in the government's best interest. The lack of competition means there was no direct price comparison from multiple bidders, potentially leading to a higher price than if it had been competed.

Taxpayer Impact: A sole-source award means taxpayers did not benefit from the cost savings that typically arise from a competitive bidding process. This could result in a higher overall expenditure for the government compared to a scenario with multiple offers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of the Air Force, which will receive administrative management and general management consulting services. The services delivered are expected to support the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) A4 ACE program, likely enhancing operational efficiency and management. The geographic impact is concentrated in Hawaii, where the contractor is located and services are presumably delivered. Workforce implications are unclear, but the contract may support existing Air Force personnel or require contractor staff to augment capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition, potentially increasing costs for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed service description makes it difficult to assess the necessity and scope of work.
Limited public information on MANO LANI LLC's track record raises concerns about performance and reliability.
Contract duration of over three years without clear performance metrics could lead to complacency or scope creep.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract type effectively caps costs and shifts risk to the contractor.
Awarding to a specific contractor suggests a deliberate choice based on perceived capabilities for a niche requirement.
The contract supports a specific program (PACAF A4 ACE), indicating a targeted need within the Air Force.

Sector Analysis

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611) is a broad sector encompassing a wide range of advisory and support functions for businesses and government agencies. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services, utilizing them for strategic planning, organizational improvement, and operational efficiency. The market size for management consulting is substantial, with numerous firms ranging from large, established players to smaller, specialized entities. This contract fits within the government's ongoing need for expert advice to manage complex operations, particularly within defense agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to MANO LANI LLC and there is no indication of it being a small business set-aside. The data does not specify any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award appears minimal, unless MANO LANI LLC voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. As a definitive contract, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and lack of detailed public information. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Defense Management Consulting Services
Administrative Support Contracts
Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Operations
General Management Consulting

Risk Flags

Sole Source Justification
Limited Contractor Performance Data
Lack of Detailed Scope of Work

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $4.1 million to MANO LANI LLC. PACAF A4 ACE SERVICE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANO LANI LLC.

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 $4.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-31. End: 2025-09-25.

What is the specific nature of the ACE services provided by MANO LANI LLC under this contract?

The contract identifies the service as 'PACAF A4 ACE SERVICE' under NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services). However, the provided data does not offer a detailed statement of work or specific deliverables. 'ACE' could potentially refer to 'Air and Space Forces Component Enterprise' or a similar internal program designation within the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) A4 directorate, which typically handles logistics, maintenance, and sustainment. The services likely involve providing expert advice, analysis, and support to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, or management of PACAF's operations or specific programs within the A4 functional area. Without more specific documentation, the exact nature of the consulting remains generalized.

How does the $4.1 million contract value compare to similar administrative management consulting contracts awarded by the Department of Defense?

Comparing this $4.1 million contract value to similar administrative management consulting contracts is difficult without more specific parameters. The Department of Defense awards numerous contracts for management and consulting services across various agencies and needs, ranging from small, specialized engagements to large, multi-year programs. A $4.1 million award over approximately three years ($1.37 million annually) is a moderate-sized contract. However, the sole-source nature of this award means it cannot be directly benchmarked against competitively awarded contracts, which typically yield lower prices due to market forces. To provide a meaningful comparison, one would need to identify other sole-source or competitively awarded contracts for similar administrative management consulting services within the Air Force or other DoD components, considering factors like contract duration, scope of work, and geographic location.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a sole-source contract of this magnitude?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude ($4.1 million) is the potential for reduced value for money. Without competition, the government loses the opportunity to leverage market forces to drive down prices and ensure the most cost-effective solution. There's a risk that the contractor may not be as incentivized to innovate or provide the highest level of service compared to a competitive environment. Furthermore, if the justification for the sole-source award was based on specific capabilities, there's a risk if those capabilities are not as unique or effective as initially assessed, or if the contractor fails to perform adequately over the contract's duration. Transparency is also reduced, making it harder for external stakeholders to scrutinize the procurement decision and its outcomes.

What is MANO LANI LLC's track record and experience in providing administrative management consulting services to the federal government?

Publicly available information regarding MANO LANI LLC's track record and experience in providing administrative management consulting services to the federal government is limited based on the provided data. The award details indicate it is a definitive contract, suggesting it's a formal agreement. However, the lack of extensive contract history or detailed performance reviews in the public domain makes it challenging to assess their past performance comprehensively. For a sole-source award, the agency (Department of the Air Force) would have conducted its own due diligence to determine the contractor's capability and suitability. Without access to that internal assessment or more extensive contract databases, evaluating their specific expertise, client satisfaction, and history of successful project completion remains difficult.

How does this contract align with the Department of the Air Force's broader spending patterns in administrative and management consulting?

This contract aligns with the Department of the Air Force's (and the broader DoD's) consistent reliance on external expertise for administrative management and general management consulting services. Agencies frequently engage contractors to supplement internal capabilities, provide specialized knowledge, or drive organizational improvements. The $4.1 million award, while significant, is likely a fraction of the total spending in this category. The Air Force, like other large federal agencies, utilizes these services to support various functions, from strategic planning and process optimization to program management and policy development. The specific focus on PACAF A4 ACE suggests a targeted need within logistics and sustainment, a critical area for military operations. This contract reflects a pattern of outsourcing specialized management functions to leverage external expertise.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 91-1097 HOKUA ST, EWA BEACH, HI, 96706

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Native Hawaiian Organization Owned Firm, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,729,794

Exercised Options: $6,554,607

Current Obligation: $4,104,895

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline