HII Mission Technologies Corp. awarded $26.8M for Joint Lessons Learned Information System (JLLIS) support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,836,515 ($26.8M)

Contractor: HII Mission Technologies Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-04-01

End Date: 2014-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: JOINT LESSONS LEARNED INFORMATION SYSTEM (JLLIS)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20318

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $26.8 million to HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP for work described as: JOINT LESSONS LEARNED INFORMATION SYSTEM (JLLIS) Key points: 1. Contract provides engineering services for a critical information system. 2. Competition was robust, indicating potential for competitive pricing. 3. Contract duration of 4 years suggests a stable, long-term need. 4. The award was a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 5. Performance period spans from April 2010 to March 2014. 6. The system supports the Department of the Navy's operational knowledge sharing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $26.8 million for the Joint Lessons Learned Information System (JLLIS) over four years appears reasonable given the scope of engineering services required. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for defense agencies suggests that this pricing falls within expected ranges for complex system maintenance and development. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility while providing a defined profit margin for the contractor, which can be efficient for evolving requirements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, full and open competition generally ensures a fair market assessment and prevents undue restrictions on potential suppliers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the assurance that the contract was awarded through a competitive process, which is designed to secure the best value and prevent inflated costs.

Public Impact

Naval personnel benefit from improved access to lessons learned for operational efficiency. The JLLIS system facilitates knowledge sharing across different naval commands. Geographic impact is primarily within Department of Defense facilities globally. Workforce implications include the need for skilled engineers and IT professionals. Enhances the Navy's ability to institutionalize best practices and avoid repeating mistakes.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts if not managed tightly.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical information system support carries inherent risk.
Ensuring continued innovation and system upgrades within the fixed fee structure can be challenging.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
The contractor, HII Mission Technologies Corp., has a significant presence in defense contracting.
The JLLIS system itself represents a positive investment in knowledge management for the Navy.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting IT infrastructure for the Department of Defense. The market for defense IT support is substantial, with significant government spending allocated annually to maintain and upgrade complex information systems. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT services contracts within the federal government often range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides, nor is there information suggesting specific subcontracting goals for small businesses. The award to a large prime contractor like HII Mission Technologies Corp. typically means that opportunities for small businesses would primarily arise through subcontracting tiers, if mandated or pursued by the prime. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely indirect, dependent on the prime's subcontracting strategy.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Navy's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) IT Support Contracts
Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Engineering Services
Joint Staff Knowledge Management Systems
Department of Defense Information Technology Modernization Programs

Risk Flags

Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
Moderate competition level (2 bidders) may not represent the lowest possible price.
Reliance on a single information system requires robust sustainment and security.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $26.8 million to HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. JOINT LESSONS LEARNED INFORMATION SYSTEM (JLLIS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-04-01. End: 2014-03-31.

What is the track record of HII Mission Technologies Corp. in delivering similar IT support services to the Department of Defense?

HII Mission Technologies Corp. (formerly Huntington Ingalls Industries) is a major defense contractor with a substantial history of providing a wide array of services to the U.S. military, including IT, engineering, and C5ISR solutions. They have held numerous large-scale contracts across various branches of the DoD, often involving complex system integration, sustainment, and modernization efforts. Their experience with information systems, particularly those supporting operational data and knowledge management, is extensive. While specific performance metrics for this particular JLLIS contract are not detailed here, their overall profile suggests a capacity to handle such requirements. Past performance evaluations on similar contracts would provide a more granular view of their reliability and effectiveness in delivering on technical and programmatic objectives.

How does the $26.8 million award compare to historical spending on the Joint Lessons Learned Information System (JLLIS)?

The $26.8 million award represents the total value obligated over the life of this specific delivery order, which ran from April 1, 2010, to March 31, 2014. To compare this to historical spending, one would need to examine the total contract value and duration of previous JLLIS support efforts, as well as any subsequent contracts awarded for the system. Without that comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state if this award was higher or lower than previous investments. However, considering it was a four-year period, the average annual spend was approximately $6.7 million, which seems plausible for maintaining and enhancing a specialized information system within a large organization like the Navy.

What are the primary risks associated with the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type used for this award?

The primary risk associated with a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract type, like the one used for the JLLIS support, is the potential for cost overruns if the contractor's actual costs exceed initial estimates. While the 'fixed fee' component provides the contractor with a predetermined profit margin, the government bears the risk of covering all allowable costs. This structure can incentivize contractors to incur higher costs, as their fee remains constant regardless of the final cost. Effective oversight, stringent cost monitoring, and clear definition of work are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value. Without robust management, CPFF contracts can become more expensive than anticipated.

What is the strategic importance of the JLLIS system to the Department of the Navy?

The Joint Lessons Learned Information System (JLLIS) is strategically important to the Department of the Navy as it serves as a centralized repository for capturing, analyzing, and disseminating lessons learned from exercises, operations, and experiments. This system enables the Navy to institutionalize knowledge, improve future planning and execution of missions, and avoid repeating past mistakes. By facilitating the sharing of best practices and identifying areas for improvement, JLLIS directly contributes to enhanced operational effectiveness, readiness, and strategic decision-making. Its existence supports a culture of continuous learning and adaptation within the naval forces.

How does the level of competition (2 bidders) impact the value received by the government for this contract?

A competition level with two bidders suggests a moderate degree of market interest, which is generally better than a sole-source situation but less competitive than having numerous offers. With two bidders, the government likely received competitive proposals, allowing for price comparison and negotiation to achieve a reasonable price. However, a higher number of bidders could potentially have driven the price down further through more intense competition. The value received is thus influenced by the specific capabilities and pricing strategies of the two competing firms. The government's negotiation strategy and the specific requirements of the JLLIS system would also play a significant role in determining the ultimate value achieved.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N0002410R3078

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc (UEI: 967362331)

Address: 670 DISCOVERY DR, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,665,235

Exercised Options: $32,665,235

Current Obligation: $26,836,515

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017805D4231

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline