DoD awards $7.39M contract for CBRN support to The Mission Essential Group, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,389,106 ($7.4M)

Contractor: THE Mission Essential Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-02-01

End Date: 2027-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, NUCLEAR (CBRN) SUPPORT

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $7.4 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC for work described as: CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, NUCLEAR (CBRN) SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in specialized technical services. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding environment for this service. 3. Contract duration of 1095 days indicates a long-term need for these capabilities. 4. The award is for a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 5. The service category is broad, encompassing 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 6. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7.39 million over three years appears reasonable for specialized CBRN support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for technical support in defense is challenging due to the niche nature of CBRN, but the per-unit cost, if calculable, would be a key indicator. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, suggesting a focus on value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely solicited and had the opportunity to bid. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at competitive market rates, preventing potential overpricing that could occur with less competitive solicitations.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from enhanced readiness and safety through specialized CBRN support. Services delivered are critical for mitigating risks associated with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. Geographic impact is likely global, supporting military operations wherever deployed. Workforce implications include the need for highly skilled technical personnel to perform these specialized tasks.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category is not clearly defined.
Reliance on a single delivery order under a larger contract could pose risks if the parent contract has issues.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps manage cost predictability.
Long-term duration (3 years) indicates sustained government need and potential for contractor stability.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on niche CBRN support. This sector is vital for national security, providing specialized expertise that government agencies often cannot maintain in-house. Spending in this area is driven by evolving threat landscapes and the need for advanced protective and response capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the specialized nature of CBRN services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses is likely limited unless they are involved as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist and if small businesses are being leveraged.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense CBRN Defense Programs
Chemical and Biological Defense Program
Nuclear Weapons Support Contracts
Technical Support Services Contracts
Emergency Preparedness and Response Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may require ongoing performance monitoring.
Scope of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' needs clear definition.
Dependence on a single delivery order could pose supply chain or service continuity risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $7.4 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC. CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, NUCLEAR (CBRN) SUPPORT

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 $7.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-01. End: 2027-01-31.

What is the specific nature of the CBRN support services being provided under this contract?

The contract falls under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' and is described as 'CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, NUCLEAR (CBRN) SUPPORT.' While the exact scope is not detailed in the provided data, this typically encompasses a range of activities such as threat assessment, risk mitigation planning, development of protective measures, emergency response coordination, technical consultation, and potentially training related to CBRN incidents. The services are crucial for ensuring the safety and readiness of Department of Defense personnel and assets against potential CBRN threats.

How does the awarded amount of $7.39 million compare to historical spending on similar CBRN support contracts by the DoD?

Direct historical comparisons for this specific contract are challenging without access to a comprehensive database of similar CBRN support contracts, including their scope and duration. However, the $7.39 million over three years (approximately $2.46 million annually) suggests a moderate investment for specialized technical services. The DoD consistently invests in CBRN defense, with budgets often in the hundreds of millions or billions for broader programs. This contract likely represents a specific, focused requirement within that larger framework. Further analysis would require identifying comparable contracts by service type, agency, and duration to establish a robust benchmark.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the contractor's performance?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics for this contract. However, for CBRN support services, typical KPIs would likely include response time to incidents or requests, accuracy of threat assessments, effectiveness of mitigation strategies, adherence to safety protocols, quality of technical reports and recommendations, and successful completion of any training or exercises. Performance would be monitored by the contracting officer's representative (COR) and program managers within the Department of the Air Force.

What is the track record of The Mission Essential Group, LLC in providing CBRN or similar technical support services?

Information regarding The Mission Essential Group, LLC's specific track record in providing CBRN support is not detailed in the provided data. As a recipient of a $7.39 million contract for these services, it is implied they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. A thorough assessment would involve reviewing their past performance on government contracts, particularly those involving specialized technical services, security clearances, and potentially hazardous material support. Examining past performance evaluations and any contract disputes or awards would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities and reliability.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks include the inherent complexity and criticality of CBRN threats, the need for highly specialized expertise, and the possibility of unforeseen incidents requiring immediate and extensive support. Mitigation strategies often involve rigorous contractor vetting, clear performance standards, robust oversight mechanisms, and contingency planning. The firm fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overruns. The long duration suggests a need for sustained capability, but also requires ongoing monitoring to ensure the contractor remains capable and compliant throughout the contract period.

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

Offers Received: 1

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,644,152

Exercised Options: $7,389,106

Current Obligation: $7,389,106

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA564123D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline