DoD's $19M Advisory Services Contract Awarded to The Mission Essential Group, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,081,560 ($19.1M)

Contractor: THE Mission Essential Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-03-01

End Date: 2025-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,917 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE IV SERVICES

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.1 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC for work described as: ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE IV SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for Advisory and Assistance IV Services, a broad category of professional support. 3. The duration of the contract is over 1900 days, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The award was made by the Department of the Air Force, a major component of the DoD. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services', indicating a wide range of potential support activities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $19 million contract for advisory and assistance services is challenging without specific deliverables or performance metrics. The firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government, as it caps costs. However, the broad nature of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' means the value is highly dependent on the specific tasks performed and the expertise provided. Without comparable contract data for similar advisory services within the Air Force or DoD, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing is competitive or represents excellent value for money.

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 data shows 3 bids were received. A competitive process like this is generally expected to lead to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition awards. The number of bidders (3) provides some indication of market interest, but a higher number would typically suggest even more robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is the most taxpayer-friendly approach, as it encourages multiple companies to bid, driving down prices and improving the quality of services offered. This method ensures that the government is not locked into a single provider and can leverage the best available market solutions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of the Air Force, which receives advisory and assistance services to support its missions. The services delivered could encompass a wide range of support, including strategic planning, policy development, program management, and technical advice. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within the Department of the Air Force's operational areas, potentially worldwide. Workforce implications could include the engagement of specialized consultants and subject matter experts, augmenting the government's internal capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The broad NAICS code (541990) could lead to a wide range of services being performed, making it difficult to ensure consistent quality and value without clear performance standards.
The long contract duration (over 5 years) necessitates careful monitoring to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness of the advisory services provided.
Without specific details on the advisory services, it's hard to assess if the contractor's expertise is truly aligned with the Air Force's most critical needs.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market and potentially better pricing.
The firm fixed-price contract type shifts cost overrun risks to the contractor, which is beneficial for the government.
The award to The Mission Essential Group, LLC suggests they met the government's requirements and were deemed capable of providing the necessary services.

Sector Analysis

The Advisory and Assistance (A&AS) services sector is a significant component of government contracting, supporting a wide array of agencies across various functions. This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category that includes consulting, research, and specialized expertise. The market for A&AS is competitive, with many firms offering specialized knowledge to government entities. The Department of Defense, in particular, relies heavily on A&AS to augment its organic capabilities, manage complex programs, and provide strategic guidance. Spending in this sector can fluctuate based on agency priorities and the perceived need for external expertise.

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 or specific benefits for small businesses mandated by this award. The primary contractor, The Mission Essential Group, LLC, will likely manage the entire scope of work. However, depending on the nature of the advisory services, the prime contractor might engage small businesses as subcontractors if their specialized skills are required, but this is not a requirement of the contract itself.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and the program management office within the Department of the Air Force. As a firm fixed-price contract, oversight would focus on ensuring the contractor meets the defined scope of work, deliverables, and performance standards. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Advisory and Assistance Services
Air Force Professional and Technical Services
Government Consulting Contracts
Federal Advisory Services
Professional Services - All Other

Risk Flags

Broad NAICS code may indicate a wide range of potential services, requiring careful oversight.
Long contract duration necessitates ongoing monitoring for relevance and effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.1 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC. ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE IV SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, 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 $19.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-03-01. End: 2025-05-31.

What specific types of advisory and assistance services are being provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' and is for 'ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE IV SERVICES.' This broad classification suggests a wide range of potential support activities. Without further details on the specific statement of work (SOW) or task orders issued against this contract, it is impossible to determine the exact nature of the services. These could range from strategic planning, policy analysis, program management support, technical consulting, or even specialized research and development advisory. The 'IV' designation might imply a specific framework or iteration of A&AS services within the Air Force, but its precise meaning is not detailed in the provided data.

How does the $19 million contract value compare to similar advisory services contracts awarded by the Air Force or DoD?

Comparing the $19 million value of this contract to similar ones requires access to a broader dataset of federal contract awards, specifically for advisory and assistance services within the Department of the Air Force and the wider Department of Defense. The provided data alone does not offer benchmarks for comparable contracts. However, $19 million over approximately five years (March 2020 to May 2025) represents an average annual value of around $3.8 million. This figure needs to be assessed against the complexity, duration, and criticality of the services rendered. Without specific task order details or a database of similar awards, it's difficult to ascertain if this represents a high, low, or average investment for the type of support sought.

What is the track record of The Mission Essential Group, LLC in providing advisory and assistance services to the federal government?

The provided data identifies The Mission Essential Group, LLC as the contractor for this $19 million award. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving advisory and assistance services. This would involve looking at contract history, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. A positive track record with successful past performance in similar service areas would indicate a lower risk for this current contract. Conversely, a history of issues could raise concerns about the contractor's ability to deliver effectively.

What are the potential risks associated with a broad 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' contract?

A significant risk associated with a broad NAICS code like 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (541990) is the potential for scope creep and a lack of specificity in deliverables. This can make it challenging for the government to precisely define and measure the services received, potentially leading to value-for-money concerns. It also increases the burden on contract oversight to ensure that the services provided align with the government's actual needs and that the contractor possesses the requisite expertise. Without clear performance metrics tied to specific outcomes, it can be difficult to hold the contractor accountable for performance.

How does the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type impact the government's financial risk for this advisory services contract?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally advantageous for the government in managing financial risk, especially for services where the scope of work can be clearly defined. Under an FFP contract, the contractor assumes the primary responsibility for cost overruns. The government agrees to pay a set price, regardless of the contractor's actual costs incurred. This shifts the financial risk from the government to the contractor. For advisory services, the effectiveness of FFP depends on how well the scope of work is defined. If the scope is vague, the contractor might still face challenges, but the government's payment obligation is capped at the agreed-upon price, providing a predictable cost.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: FA564118R0001

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6525 W CAMPUS OVAL STE 101, NEW ALBANY, OH, 43054

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,648,639

Exercised Options: $19,648,639

Current Obligation: $19,081,560

Actual Outlays: $3,702,326

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA564120D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline