Marine Corps Spends $33.2M on R&D for Warfighting Lab and Futures Directorate
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $33,256,135 ($33.3M)
Contractor: Mantech TSG-2 Joint Venture
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-10-31
End Date: 2022-06-21
Contract Duration: 1,329 days
Daily Burn Rate: $25.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MARINE CORPS SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AND RAPID PROTOTYPING FOR THE MARINE CORPS WARFIGHTING LABORATORY / FUTURES DIRECTORATE
Place of Performance
Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $33.3 million to MANTECH TSG-2 JOINT VENTURE for work described as: MARINE CORPS SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AND RAPID PROTOTYPING FOR THE MARINE CORPS WARFIGHTING LABORATORY / FUTURES DIRECTORATE Key points: 1. Significant investment in research and development for advanced warfighting capabilities. 2. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type may lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. Focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D aligns with future military needs.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure can be less predictable than fixed-price contracts. Without detailed cost breakdowns and robust oversight, it's difficult to assess if $33.2M represents excellent value compared to similar R&D efforts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee nature means the final price is not fixed upfront, impacting precise price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting critical R&D for the Marine Corps, aiming to enhance future warfighting capabilities. The effectiveness of this spending will depend on the successful development and implementation of the research outcomes.
Public Impact
Enhances the Marine Corps' ability to adapt to future battlefield challenges. Supports innovation in areas like robotics, AI, and advanced materials. Potential for technological advancements to be shared across other military branches.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Focus on critical future warfighting needs
- Investment in technological advancement
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending benchmarks for R&D can vary widely based on project scope and technological novelty, making direct comparisons challenging without more detail.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). This suggests larger, established firms or joint ventures likely possess the specialized capabilities and resources required for this complex R&D effort.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Defense and the Defense Contract Management Agency are responsible for oversight. Robust oversight is crucial for cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts to ensure funds are used efficiently and project milestones are met.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited visibility into specific R&D deliverables
- No indication of small business participation
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $33.3 million to MANTECH TSG-2 JOINT VENTURE. MARINE CORPS SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AND RAPID PROTOTYPING FOR THE MARINE CORPS WARFIGHTING LABORATORY / FUTURES DIRECTORATE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MANTECH TSG-2 JOINT VENTURE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $33.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-10-31. End: 2022-06-21.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this $33.2M investment, and how will their success be measured?
The investment is intended to foster innovation within the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory and Futures Directorate, likely targeting areas such as advanced materials, autonomous systems, and enhanced soldier protection. Success metrics would typically involve the successful prototyping and testing of these technologies against defined operational requirements, demonstrating a tangible improvement in warfighting capabilities or efficiency.
What are the primary risks associated with the cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type for this R&D project?
The primary risks with a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for R&D include potential cost overruns if the contractor's actual costs exceed estimates significantly, and the fixed fee may not adequately incentivize efficiency if not structured carefully. There's also a risk of scope creep, where project objectives expand, increasing costs without a corresponding increase in the fixed fee or a clear benefit.
How does this spending align with the Marine Corps' long-term strategic modernization goals?
This spending directly aligns with the Marine Corps' strategic goals by investing in future warfighting capabilities and technological superiority. By focusing on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences, the initiative supports the development of next-generation platforms, systems, and operational concepts necessary to maintain a decisive advantage in evolving geopolitical landscapes.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: FA807513R0001
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 12015 LEE JACKSON HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $34,516,757
Exercised Options: $34,516,757
Current Obligation: $33,256,135
Actual Outlays: $3,626,852
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 33
Total Subaward Amount: $9,225,197
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA807514D0020
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-10-31
Current End Date: 2022-06-21
Potential End Date: 2022-06-21 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-05
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