DoD's $2.39M MENTOR contract to AERIS LLC for tactical operations support awarded as definitive contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,387,663 ($2.4M)
Contractor: Aeris LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-12-02
End Date: 2026-12-01
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day
Sector: Defense
Official Description: MULTI ECHELON TACTICAL OPERATIONAL RESPONSE (MENTOR)
Place of Performance
Location: Colorado, 80027
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $2.4 million to AERIS LLC for work described as: MULTI ECHELON TACTICAL OPERATIONAL RESPONSE (MENTOR) Key points: 1. Value-for-money assessment pending detailed performance and cost analysis. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a definitive contract award, requiring further review for potential sole-source implications. 3. Risk indicators include contract duration and definitive award type, necessitating close monitoring. 4. Performance context will be shaped by the specific tactical operational response needs of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the broader defense services industry, supporting specialized operational capabilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.39 million over approximately two years appears moderate for specialized defense support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for tactical operational response services is necessary to determine true value for money. Without more detailed service descriptions and performance metrics, a definitive assessment of AERIS LLC's pricing and the overall value proposition is challenging. The definitive contract award type also warrants scrutiny regarding price reasonableness.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
The competition level for this definitive contract is not specified in the provided data. Definitive contracts can be awarded on a sole-source basis or after a competitive process. Further investigation is needed to determine if this contract was competed and, if so, how many bids were received. The level of competition directly impacts price discovery and the potential for taxpayer savings.
Taxpayer Impact: If this contract was not competitively bid, taxpayers may not have received the best possible pricing. A lack of competition can lead to inflated costs and reduced efficiency.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely elements within the Department of Defense, specifically the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, receiving specialized tactical operational support. The services delivered are crucial for enhancing readiness and response capabilities in complex operational environments. Geographic impact is likely focused on areas where the Defense Threat Reduction Agency operates or requires specialized tactical support. Workforce implications may involve specialized personnel provided by AERIS LLC, augmenting existing military or civilian capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of transparency regarding the competition method for this definitive contract.
- Potential for uncompetitive pricing if awarded on a sole-source basis.
- Need for clear performance metrics to ensure value for taxpayer funds.
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to AERIS LLC, a known entity in defense contracting.
- Clear contract end date provides a defined period for service delivery.
- Focus on specialized tactical operations suggests a critical mission requirement.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the defense services sector, a significant segment of federal spending. The market for specialized tactical operational support is driven by evolving geopolitical threats and the need for highly trained personnel and advanced capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar operational support services across various defense agencies, considering factors like duration, scope, and contractor expertise.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation and its impact on the small business ecosystem. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the contract's contribution to small business goals.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve the contracting officer's representative (COR) and potentially the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). Accountability measures are tied to the contract's performance clauses and delivery schedules. Transparency assessment is limited by the available data; however, contract awards are generally made public through federal procurement databases.
Related Government Programs
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency Operations Support
- Tactical Training and Support Services
- Specialized Military Support Contracts
- Department of Defense Readiness Programs
Risk Flags
- Definitive contract award type requires scrutiny for competition.
- Lack of detailed service description hinders value assessment.
- Performance metrics and outcomes are not yet defined.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, aeris-llc, definitive-contract, tactical-operations, response-support, defense-threat-reduction-agency, moderate-value, contract-duration-729-days
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $2.4 million to AERIS LLC. MULTI ECHELON TACTICAL OPERATIONAL RESPONSE (MENTOR)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AERIS LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Threat Reduction Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-12-02. End: 2026-12-01.
What is the specific nature of the 'MULTI ECHELON TACTICAL OPERATIONAL RESPONSE (MENTOR)' services provided by AERIS LLC?
The provided data offers the contract name 'MULTI ECHELON TACTICAL OPERATIONAL RESPONSE (MENTOR)' but lacks specific details on the services rendered. Generally, such a designation suggests support for complex, multi-layered tactical operations, potentially involving planning, execution, training, intelligence integration, or logistical support across different operational echelons. This could range from advisory roles to direct operational assistance in high-risk environments. Further details from the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) would be required to fully understand the scope and nature of AERIS LLC's responsibilities.
How does the $2.39 million contract value compare to similar tactical operational response contracts within the DoD?
Benchmarking the $2.39 million contract value requires access to a database of comparable contracts. Factors such as contract duration (729 days), specific services, geographic location, and the complexity of the tactical operations are crucial for a meaningful comparison. Without this comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state whether this represents excellent, fair, or questionable value. However, for specialized support over two years, this amount is within a plausible range for niche defense services, but a detailed analysis against similar solicitations and awards is necessary for a conclusive assessment.
What are the primary risks associated with a definitive contract award of this nature?
The primary risks associated with a definitive contract award, especially if it's not fully competed, include potential lack of price competition leading to higher costs for taxpayers. There's also a risk that the contractor may not be incentivized to innovate or provide the best possible service if they perceive limited future competition. For this specific contract, the duration of nearly two years also presents risks related to changing operational needs or technological advancements that might not be adequately addressed within the fixed contract terms. Robust oversight and clear performance metrics are essential to mitigate these risks.
What is the track record of AERIS LLC in providing similar tactical operational response services to the federal government?
Information regarding AERIS LLC's specific track record in providing 'MULTI ECHELON TACTICAL OPERATIONAL RESPONSE (MENTOR)' services is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on similar federal contracts, including client feedback, past performance evaluations, and any history of contract disputes or awards. Understanding their experience with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) or similar entities would also be beneficial in gauging their capability and reliability for this specific requirement.
What are the historical spending patterns for tactical operational response support within the Defense Threat Reduction Agency?
Historical spending patterns for tactical operational response support within the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) are not provided. To analyze this, one would need to examine DTRA's budget allocations and contract awards over several fiscal years, specifically looking for contracts related to operational support, training, and response capabilities. Comparing current spending ($2.39M) against historical trends would reveal whether this contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in such services, and whether DTRA's needs in this area are growing or contracting.
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