DoD's $18.76M Contract for Surveillance Prototypes Awarded to Amentum Services, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,762,455 ($18.8M)
Contractor: Amentum Services, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-09-29
End Date: 2025-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: OPERATIONAL, TECHNICAL, ENGINEERING, AND TRANSITION ANALYSIS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF EMERGING CAPABILITIES AND PROTOTYPES FOR LAND, AIR, SPACE, AND PORT&COASTAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMS
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20005
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $18.8 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC. for work described as: OPERATIONAL, TECHNICAL, ENGINEERING, AND TRANSITION ANALYSIS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF EMERGING CAPABILITIES AND PROTOTYPES FOR LAND, AIR, SPACE, AND PORT&COASTAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMS Key points: 1. This contract focuses on R&D for emerging surveillance capabilities across multiple domains. 2. Amentum Services, Inc. secured the award through full and open competition. 3. The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure warrants close monitoring of cost overruns. 4. Spending falls within the R&D sector, specifically physical and engineering sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Benchmarking CPFF contracts in R&D is challenging due to unique project scopes, but the fixed fee component provides some cost control.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method is generally favorable for achieving competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical R&D in national security surveillance, with competition aiming for value.
Public Impact
Enhances national security through advanced surveillance technology development. Supports innovation in defense capabilities for land, air, and space. Potential for dual-use technologies benefiting civilian sectors. Invests in future military readiness and intelligence gathering.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type risk
- Long contract duration (5 years)
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Focus on critical emerging capabilities
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending benchmarks for R&D can vary widely based on technological advancement and project scope, but this award represents a significant investment in future defense capabilities.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and the prime contractor, Amentum Services, Inc., is a large business. There is no information on small business subcontracting participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Air Force is the awarding agency, with the Department of Defense overseeing the broader program. Oversight will be critical to manage the CPFF structure and ensure successful development of prototypes.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure
- Long contract duration may introduce risks related to evolving technology
- Lack of small business participation noted
- Complexity of integrating emerging capabilities across multiple domains
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, dc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $18.8 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC.. OPERATIONAL, TECHNICAL, ENGINEERING, AND TRANSITION ANALYSIS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF EMERGING CAPABILITIES AND PROTOTYPES FOR LAND, AIR, SPACE, AND PORT&COASTAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMENTUM SERVICES, INC..
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 $18.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-09-29. End: 2025-09-29.
How will the fixed fee be adjusted based on performance or cost efficiencies throughout the contract lifecycle?
The fixed fee in a CPFF contract is typically negotiated at the outset and remains constant, barring significant contract modifications. However, performance incentives or penalties can sometimes be incorporated into the contract terms, influencing the overall value realized by the contractor. Detailed review of the contract's specific clauses is necessary to understand any performance-related fee adjustments.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract to ensure successful prototype development and transition?
Key performance indicators would likely focus on technical milestones, prototype functionality, adherence to development timelines, and successful integration testing. Specific KPIs should be clearly defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and monitored rigorously by the contracting officer's representative (COR) to ensure the contractor meets the program's objectives for emerging surveillance capabilities.
What is the process for managing scope creep and ensuring cost control within the R&D objectives?
Managing scope creep in R&D requires a robust change control process. The contracting officer and technical team must carefully evaluate any proposed changes against the original SOW, assessing their impact on cost, schedule, and technical objectives. Regular reviews and clear communication channels with the contractor are essential to prevent uncontrolled expansion of the project's scope and maintain cost discipline.
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: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Pae-Parsons Global Logistics Services, LLC
Address: 4800 WESTFIELDS BLVD STE 400, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $22,826,452
Exercised Options: $22,826,452
Current Obligation: $18,762,455
Actual Outlays: $10,067,268
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 9
Total Subaward Amount: $7,138,085
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA807518D0014
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-09-29
Current End Date: 2025-09-29
Potential End Date: 2025-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-02
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