Vectrus Systems LLC awarded $24.9M for Ascension Island base operations, a 364-day contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,942,029 ($24.9M)

Contractor: Vectrus Systems LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-07-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $68.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS TASK ORDER (TO) WILL PROVIDE BASE OPERATIONS SERVICES (BOS) AND MISSION SUPPORT SERVICES (MSS) TO THE 45TH SPACE LAUNCH DELTA (SLD 45), A COMPONENT OF SPACE SYSTEM COMMAND UNDER THE UNITED STATES (U.S.) SPACE FORCE (USSF), AT ASCENSION ISLAND.

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.9 million to VECTRUS SYSTEMS LLC for work described as: THIS TASK ORDER (TO) WILL PROVIDE BASE OPERATIONS SERVICES (BOS) AND MISSION SUPPORT SERVICES (MSS) TO THE 45TH SPACE LAUNCH DELTA (SLD 45), A COMPONENT OF SPACE SYSTEM COMMAND UNDER THE UNITED STATES (U.S.) SPACE FORCE (USSF), AT ASCENSION ISLAND. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential base and mission support services, indicating a critical operational need. 2. Vectrus Systems LLC, the sole awardee, suggests a potentially limited competitive landscape for this specific requirement. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. This task order is part of a larger effort to support Space Systems Command at Ascension Island. 5. The duration of 364 days suggests a need for sustained, ongoing support rather than a short-term project. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags indicates the primary award was not specifically targeted to small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $24.9 million for a 364-day period of performance appears reasonable for specialized base operations and mission support in a remote location like Ascension Island. Benchmarking against similar remote base support contracts would provide further insight, but the scope of services (BOS and MSS) is typical for such environments. The firm-fixed-price structure incentivizes cost control by the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely solicited. However, the data shows only one award was made, which could imply that only one offeror met the requirements or was the most advantageous. The level of competition, while initially broad, resulted in a single awardee for this specific task order.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of offers and potentially driving down prices through market forces. Even with a single award, the initial competitive process aims to secure the best value.

Public Impact

The U.S. Space Force's 45th Space Launch Delta will benefit from uninterrupted base and mission support services. Essential services such as facilities maintenance, logistics, and potentially security will be delivered. The geographic impact is concentrated at Ascension Island, a critical strategic location for space operations. The contract supports the operational readiness and effectiveness of U.S. space launch and monitoring capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition on future task orders if similar specialized requirements arise.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical base operations could pose a risk if performance issues emerge.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type aligns incentives for contractor efficiency.
Award under full and open competition suggests a structured procurement process.
Contract supports a critical strategic asset for the U.S. Space Force.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, specifically supporting government operations in a remote, strategic location. The market for such specialized base operations and mission support services is often niche, requiring contractors with specific logistical capabilities and security clearances. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in contracts supporting remote military installations or critical infrastructure in challenging environments.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary awardee is likely a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this task order, but large prime contractors are often encouraged or required to utilize small business subcontractors on larger contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Department of the Air Force and the Space Systems Command, which are responsible for managing and monitoring contractor performance. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract places a significant portion of the performance risk on the contractor. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific operational details may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

Base Operations Support (BOS)
Mission Support Services (MSS)
Space Systems Command Contracts
45th Space Launch Delta Support
Remote Installation Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Remote Location Logistics
Single Award Risk
Critical Infrastructure Support

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.9 million to VECTRUS SYSTEMS LLC. THIS TASK ORDER (TO) WILL PROVIDE BASE OPERATIONS SERVICES (BOS) AND MISSION SUPPORT SERVICES (MSS) TO THE 45TH SPACE LAUNCH DELTA (SLD 45), A COMPONENT OF SPACE SYSTEM COMMAND UNDER THE UNITED STATES (U.S.) SPACE FORCE (USSF), AT ASCENSION ISLAND.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VECTRUS SYSTEMS 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 $24.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is Vectrus Systems LLC's track record with similar base operations and mission support contracts for the Department of Defense?

Vectrus Systems LLC has a significant history of performing base operations and mission support services for the Department of Defense, often in challenging or remote locations. They have held numerous contracts for base support, logistics, facilities maintenance, and security services across various military branches and commands. Their experience often includes supporting expeditionary forces and critical infrastructure. Analyzing their past performance ratings, any contract disputes, and the scale of previous similar contracts would provide a more detailed understanding of their capabilities and reliability for this specific task order at Ascension Island.

How does the per-unit cost or overall value of this contract compare to similar facilities support services contracts awarded by the Department of the Air Force or Space Force?

Benchmarking this $24.9 million contract for 364 days of base operations and mission support against similar contracts is challenging without access to detailed cost breakdowns and specific service levels. However, contracts for remote base support often command higher prices due to logistical complexities, specialized personnel requirements, and potentially higher overhead. If this contract involves extensive logistical support, communication infrastructure, or specialized technical services for space operations, its value may be justified. A detailed comparison would require analyzing contracts with similar geographic constraints, scope of services (e.g., facilities management, security, IT, transportation), and contract types (firm-fixed-price) awarded over a comparable timeframe.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Key risks include logistical challenges in delivering supplies and personnel to Ascension Island, potential for unforeseen environmental or operational issues impacting service delivery, and contractor performance failures. Given the remote location, supply chain disruptions or personnel retention issues could also pose risks. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust logistical planning, contingency funds, clear performance metrics and reporting requirements, and potentially backup support arrangements. The firm-fixed-price contract type places the financial risk of cost overruns on Vectrus Systems LLC, incentivizing efficient management.

How effective is the current contract structure in ensuring the long-term operational readiness of the 45th Space Launch Delta at Ascension Island?

The current contract structure, a 364-day firm-fixed-price task order, is designed to ensure immediate and sustained operational readiness by outsourcing essential base and mission support functions. This allows the Space Force to focus on its core mission of space launch and operations. The effectiveness hinges on the contractor's ability to consistently deliver the required services without interruption. The duration suggests a commitment to ongoing support, but the single-award nature and the specific scope will determine the degree to which it addresses all potential long-term readiness needs. Future contract actions will be crucial for assessing and adapting to evolving requirements.

What has been the historical spending trend for base operations and mission support services at Ascension Island or similar remote U.S. Space Force installations?

Historical spending for base operations and mission support at remote installations like Ascension Island typically reflects the unique challenges and costs associated with maintaining infrastructure and personnel in isolated locations. Spending trends are often influenced by geopolitical factors, evolving mission requirements, and the specific services contracted. For Ascension Island, spending would likely be tied to its strategic importance for tracking, communication, and launch support. Analyzing past contracts for this location or comparable remote sites managed by the Air Force or Space Force would reveal patterns in contract values, durations, and the types of services procured, indicating whether current spending aligns with historical investment levels.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Vectrus, Inc.

Address: 2424 GARDEN OF THE GODS RD STE 300, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, 80919

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $153,481,855

Exercised Options: $29,492,269

Current Obligation: $24,942,029

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA805120D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline