DoD's $26.6M Communications Maintenance Contract Awarded to Morgan Franklin Consulting

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,564,415 ($26.6M)

Contractor: Morganfranklin Consulting, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-10-01

End Date: 2009-09-30

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT

Sector: IT

Official Description: COMMUNICATIONS MAINTENANCE & SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: NAVAL ANACOST ANNEX, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20373

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $26.6 million to MORGANFRANKLIN CONSULTING, LLC for work described as: COMMUNICATIONS MAINTENANCE & SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. Fixed Price Level of Effort contract type aims to control costs for defined service levels. 3. The contract duration is 1 year, indicating a short-term need for these services. 4. The award was made by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), a key IT provider for the DoD. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to Engineering Services. 6. The contract was awarded as a Delivery Order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $26.6 million contract is challenging without more specific details on the scope of 'Communications Maintenance & Support.' However, the fixed-price contract type suggests an attempt to manage cost predictability. Comparing it to similar DISA contracts for communication services would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing is competitive for the level of support provided. The absence of detailed performance metrics makes a definitive value assessment difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The fact that it was a Delivery Order suggests it was likely competed as part of a larger IDIQ contract. The number of bidders is not specified, but full and open competition generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation, leading to better value for public funds.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from maintained and supported communication systems, crucial for operational effectiveness. This contract supports essential communication infrastructure, ensuring reliable connectivity for military operations. The services are delivered within the District of Columbia, impacting federal agencies located in the capital. The contract likely supports a workforce of technical specialists and engineers involved in communication maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided.
The specific nature of 'Communications Maintenance & Support' is broad, potentially leading to scope creep or unclear deliverables.
Without knowing the number of bidders, it's hard to definitively say if the competition was robust enough to ensure optimal pricing.
The contract's value is substantial, requiring diligent oversight to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, which typically leads to better pricing and service.
Fixed Price Level of Effort contract type provides cost certainty for a defined scope of work.
The contract is managed by DISA, an agency with significant expertise in managing complex defense IT contracts.
The contract supports critical communication infrastructure for the Department of Defense.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to IT and communications infrastructure. The federal government is a significant consumer of such services, with spending often concentrated within defense and intelligence agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other DISA or DoD contracts for similar communication maintenance and support services, as well as broader IT services procurements. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, it was likely competed among larger prime contractors. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or goals for small businesses. This means the primary impact on the small business ecosystem would be indirect, through potential subcontracting opportunities offered by Morgan Franklin Consulting, LLC, if they choose to engage small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), which is responsible for managing and administering the contract. As a Delivery Order under a potentially larger IDIQ, oversight might be integrated into the broader program management structure. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance data may be limited.

Related Government Programs

Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) IT Services
Department of Defense Communications Infrastructure
Federal IT Maintenance and Support Contracts
Engineering Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to broad service description.
Need for detailed performance monitoring to ensure value for money.
Reliance on engineering expertise may introduce technical complexity risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $26.6 million to MORGANFRANKLIN CONSULTING, LLC. COMMUNICATIONS MAINTENANCE & SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MORGANFRANKLIN CONSULTING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-10-01. End: 2009-09-30.

What is the specific scope of 'Communications Maintenance & Support' covered by this contract?

The provided data abbreviates the description to 'COMMUNICATIONS MAINTENANCE & SUPPORT.' Without the full contract details, the precise scope remains unclear. Typically, this could encompass a wide range of activities including hardware maintenance, software updates, network monitoring, troubleshooting, system upgrades, and technical support for various communication systems used by the Department of Defense. The fixed-price level of effort structure suggests a defined set of tasks and hours allocated, but the specific technologies and systems involved are not detailed in the summary data.

How does the $26.6 million value compare to similar contracts for communication maintenance and support within the DoD?

Comparing this $26.6 million contract value requires access to a broader dataset of similar procurements by the DoD and DISA. However, for a one-year contract focused on communications maintenance and support, this amount suggests a significant scope of work, potentially covering a large network or critical systems. DISA manages numerous IT and communications contracts, with values varying widely based on complexity, duration, and technology. To provide a precise benchmark, one would need to analyze contracts with similar NAICS codes (like 541330) and service descriptions awarded over a comparable timeframe.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided summary data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. However, given the 'FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT' contract type and the nature of 'COMMUNICATIONS MAINTENANCE & SUPPORT,' it is highly probable that the contract includes performance standards related to system uptime, response times for technical support, resolution times for issues, and potentially security compliance. These would be detailed in the contract's statement of work and performance clauses, which are not available in the summary.

What is the track record of Morgan Franklin Consulting, LLC in performing similar government contracts, particularly with DISA?

Morgan Franklin Consulting, LLC has a history of performing government contracts. To assess their track record specifically for 'Communications Maintenance & Support' with DISA, a deeper dive into contract databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would be necessary. This would reveal past performance evaluations, any contract disputes or awards, and the types of services they have previously delivered to DISA and other federal agencies. Their experience in engineering services (NAICS 541330) suggests a capability relevant to this contract, but specific performance quality requires detailed review.

What is the potential risk associated with the 'Engineering Services' classification for a communications maintenance contract?

The classification of 'Engineering Services' (NAICS 541330) for a communications maintenance contract suggests that the scope may extend beyond routine upkeep to include design, analysis, integration, or modification of communication systems. This can introduce risks related to the complexity of the engineering tasks, the need for specialized expertise, and the potential for unforeseen technical challenges. While engineering input can enhance system performance and reliability, it also requires rigorous oversight to ensure that the engineering solutions are appropriate, cost-effective, and meet the DoD's operational requirements without introducing unnecessary complexity or risk.

How does the Delivery Order (DO) award mechanism impact oversight and accountability compared to a direct contract?

A Delivery Order (DO) is typically issued under an existing Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. This means the underlying IDIQ contract vehicle itself has already undergone a competitive process and established general terms and conditions. The DO then specifies the actual goods or services to be delivered, quantities, and prices for a particular order. Oversight and accountability are managed both at the IDIQ level (ensuring the vehicle itself is sound) and at the DO level (ensuring the specific delivery meets requirements). This structure can streamline procurement but requires careful management of each DO to ensure it aligns with the overall program goals and taxpayer value.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: HC102809T2153

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT (B)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7900 TYSONS ONE PL STE 300, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,564,415

Exercised Options: $26,564,415

Current Obligation: $26,564,415

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F0033L

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline