DoD's $66.5M Public Health R&D Contract Awarded to MANTECH TSG-2 Joint Venture

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $66,481,085 ($66.5M)

Contractor: Mantech TSG-2 Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-09-23

End Date: 2024-09-23

Contract Duration: 1,827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $36.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: FORCE HEALTH PROTECTION, ANALYSIS, ASSESSMENT, AND EVALUATION FOR NAVY AND MARINE CORPS PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $66.5 million to MANTECH TSG-2 JOINT VENTURE for work described as: FORCE HEALTH PROTECTION, ANALYSIS, ASSESSMENT, AND EVALUATION FOR NAVY AND MARINE CORPS PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical force health protection, analysis, and evaluation for Navy and Marine Corps. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these specialized services. 3. Long duration (1827 days) indicates a sustained need for these public health capabilities. 4. Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type allows for flexibility but requires careful cost oversight. 5. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is a key sector for defense innovation. 6. The contract's value places it within a significant tier for specialized scientific services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $66.5 million over five years for specialized public health R&D appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale, long-term R&D contracts within the Department of Defense for scientific analysis and evaluation services suggests this award is within expected parameters. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, while common for R&D, necessitates diligent monitoring to ensure costs remain aligned with the fixed fee and overall value delivered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple capable vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of three bidders (no=3) suggests a competitive environment, which typically aids in price discovery and can lead to more favorable terms for the government. This level of competition is generally positive for ensuring the government receives competitive pricing and access to a range of technical solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive marketplace that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

Directly benefits Navy and Marine Corps personnel by enhancing public health surveillance and response capabilities. Services delivered include analysis, assessment, and evaluation crucial for maintaining force readiness and well-being. Geographic impact is primarily within DoD facilities and operations, supporting global health security. Workforce implications include specialized scientific and analytical roles within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can incentivize cost overruns if not managed rigorously.
Long contract durations may reduce flexibility to adapt to rapidly evolving public health threats.
Reliance on a single joint venture for critical public health functions warrants close performance monitoring.

Positive Signals

Focus on critical public health functions directly supports military readiness and personnel safety.
Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process and potential for value.
The contractor's specialization in analysis, assessment, and evaluation aligns with the contract's objectives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for defense, as advancements in public health, epidemiology, and medical countermeasures directly impact force protection and operational effectiveness. The market for such specialized scientific services within the federal government is substantial, with significant annual spending allocated to R&D across various agencies. Comparable contracts often involve long-term engagements for complex scientific analysis and program support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb=false) and does not explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. Given the specialized nature of R&D and analysis, it is possible that the prime contractor is a large entity or a joint venture. Further investigation would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within this contract's scope.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), given its role in contract administration for the Department of Defense. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates robust financial oversight to ensure costs are allowable, allocable, and reasonable. Transparency is typically maintained through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and periodic reviews by the contracting officer and administrative contracting officer.

Related Government Programs

DoD Public Health Program
Military Medical Research and Development
Force Health Protection Initiatives
Naval Health Research Center Contracts
Marine Corps Operational Health Support

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
Risk of contract deliverables becoming outdated given the long duration.
Need for robust oversight to ensure performance quality and value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $66.5 million to MANTECH TSG-2 JOINT VENTURE. FORCE HEALTH PROTECTION, ANALYSIS, ASSESSMENT, AND EVALUATION FOR NAVY AND MARINE CORPS PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER

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 $66.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-23. End: 2024-09-23.

What is the track record of MANTECH TSG-2 Joint Venture in performing similar public health analysis and evaluation contracts for the DoD?

Assessing the track record of MANTECH TSG-2 Joint Venture requires a review of their past performance on similar contracts. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, performance evaluations, and any reported issues or successes. Specifically, looking for experience in force health protection, epidemiological analysis, and public health program evaluation within military contexts would be crucial. A positive track record would indicate a lower risk of performance issues and a higher likelihood of successful contract execution. Conversely, a history of performance deficiencies or unresolved issues would raise concerns about the contractor's ability to meet the current contract's demanding requirements.

How does the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) compare to industry standards for similar R&D services, and what are the potential risks?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure is common for research and development contracts where the scope of work may evolve or is not precisely defined at the outset. For similar R&D services within the defense sector, CPFF allows the contractor to recover allowable costs plus a negotiated fixed fee representing their profit. While this structure provides flexibility, it carries inherent risks for the government, primarily the potential for cost overruns if the contractor's costs exceed initial estimates. Effective oversight, detailed cost tracking, and clear definition of allowable costs are critical to mitigating these risks and ensuring the government receives good value. Benchmarking the fixed fee against industry averages for similar services is also important for assessing reasonableness.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract, and how are they monitored?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for a contract focused on force health protection, analysis, and evaluation would likely include metrics related to the timeliness and accuracy of delivered analyses, the effectiveness of assessments, and the impact of evaluations on public health outcomes for Navy and Marine Corps personnel. Specific KPIs might involve turnaround times for critical reports, adherence to scientific methodologies, successful identification of health risks, and the actionable nature of recommendations provided. Monitoring would typically involve regular contractor progress reports, government reviews of deliverables, performance assessments against contract requirements, and potentially site visits or technical reviews by subject matter experts. The contracting officer's representative (COR) plays a vital role in overseeing day-to-day performance and ensuring KPIs are met.

What is the historical spending trend for force health protection analysis and evaluation services within the Navy and Marine Corps?

Analyzing historical spending trends for force health protection analysis and evaluation services within the Navy and Marine Corps is essential for contextualizing the current $66.5 million award. This would involve examining spending data over the past 5-10 years for similar contract types, scopes of work, and agencies. Trends might reveal whether spending in this area is increasing, decreasing, or remaining relatively stable. Understanding these patterns can help identify periods of heightened focus on public health, potential budget fluctuations, or shifts in procurement strategies. It also provides a baseline against which the current contract's value can be assessed for reasonableness and potential future budget planning.

Are there any identified risks or challenges associated with the long duration (1827 days) of this contract, particularly concerning evolving public health threats?

The 1827-day (approximately 5-year) duration of this contract presents both opportunities and risks. On the positive side, it provides stability and allows for long-term planning and sustained focus on complex public health issues. However, a significant risk is the potential for public health threats, scientific understanding, and technological capabilities to evolve rapidly over five years. The contract's scope and deliverables may become outdated or less relevant if not managed adaptively. Mitigation strategies could include built-in review periods, mechanisms for contract modification to incorporate new requirements or technologies, and ensuring the contractor maintains flexibility and stays abreast of emerging trends in public health and scientific research.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and 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

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: $83,484,671

Exercised Options: $83,484,671

Current Obligation: $66,481,085

Actual Outlays: $4,962,665

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 16

Total Subaward Amount: $61,426,714

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA807518D0011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline