DoD's $18.87M Iraq Border Security Project with Amentum Services Faces Scrutiny Over Value and Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,867,464 ($18.9M)
Contractor: Amentum Services, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2019-09-30
End Date: 2023-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,278 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: IRAQ BORDER SECURITY PROJECT - IBSP
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $18.9 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC. for work described as: IRAQ BORDER SECURITY PROJECT - IBSP Key points: 1. The project's $18.87 million cost for border security services in Iraq raises questions about its value for money. 2. Amentum Services, Inc. secured the contract under full and open competition, but the delivery order structure warrants review. 3. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code is broad, potentially obscuring specific service costs. 4. Lack of small business participation is noted, suggesting limited opportunities for smaller firms in this defense contract.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure can incentivize spending, and without clear performance metrics, assessing value is difficult. Benchmarking against similar international security projects is needed to determine if $18.87 million is a fair price for the services rendered.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
While advertised as full and open competition, the award was a delivery order, which can sometimes limit the scope of true price discovery compared to a new solicitation. Further details on the bidding process are needed to confirm robust competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The $18.87 million expenditure represents taxpayer funds allocated to international security efforts, the effectiveness of which directly impacts the return on investment for the public.
Public Impact
Taxpayer funds are being utilized for security operations in a foreign country, necessitating transparency in how these funds are managed. The project's success or failure could have geopolitical implications and impact regional stability. Public scrutiny is essential to ensure accountability and efficient use of resources in defense-related contracts.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of small business participation
- Broad NAICS code may obscure specific costs
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee structure can lead to overspending
- Limited transparency on performance metrics
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded under full and open competition
- Managed by the Department of Defense, a major contracting agency
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, often supporting complex defense operations. Benchmarks for similar international security projects are difficult to establish due to unique geopolitical factors and service scopes.
Small Business Impact
The contract indicates no small business participation (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that opportunities for small businesses were either not sought or not met, which could be a missed opportunity for economic inclusion.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Defense, through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, is responsible for oversight. However, the duration and nature of the contract necessitate robust monitoring to ensure funds are used effectively and objectives are met.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure
- Lack of transparency on specific performance metrics
- Limited small business involvement
- Broad NAICS code may obscure service details
- Geopolitical risks inherent in Iraq operations
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $18.9 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC.. IRAQ BORDER SECURITY PROJECT - IBSP
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMENTUM SERVICES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Threat Reduction Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $18.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-09-30. End: 2023-03-31.
What specific border security outcomes were achieved with the $18.87 million investment, and how do these align with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's mission?
The provided data does not detail the specific outcomes or performance metrics of the Iraq Border Security Project. To assess value, a thorough review of post-award reports, performance evaluations, and mission accomplishment documentation is required. Understanding the tangible security improvements and their alignment with DTRA's strategic goals is crucial for justifying the expenditure.
Given the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, what mechanisms were in place to control costs and prevent potential overruns, especially in a complex operational environment?
Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts carry inherent risks of cost escalation. Effective oversight would involve rigorous auditing of Amentum Services' costs, clear definition of allowable expenses, and strict adherence to the fixed fee. Regular performance reviews and milestone tracking are essential to ensure the contractor remains within budget parameters and delivers the agreed-upon services efficiently.
How did the 'full and open competition' process ensure the most cost-effective and capable solution was selected for this critical border security mission?
While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, the nature of a delivery order requires further examination. It's important to understand if multiple bids were received, the evaluation criteria used, and if the chosen solution represented the best value proposition. A review of the solicitation documents and award decision rationale would clarify the effectiveness of the competition.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical 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: HDTRA116R0027
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: PAE Government Services Inc.
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: $20,023,009
Exercised Options: $20,023,009
Current Obligation: $18,867,464
Actual Outlays: $4,875,837
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 7
Total Subaward Amount: $12,427,866
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HDTRA118D0008
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-09-30
Current End Date: 2023-03-31
Potential End Date: 2023-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-30
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