Missile Defense Agency awards $130M+ contract for engineering services, with a significant portion for beta analytics

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $98,918,853 ($98.9M)

Contractor: Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2004-02-01

End Date: 2014-01-31

Contract Duration: 3,652 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200408!000175!9700!HQ0006!MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY !GS07F0190L !C!N! !N!HQ000604F0002! !20040201!20080131!130440241!130440241!130440241!N!BETA ANALYTICS, INC !9600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE !UPPER MARLBORO !MD!20772!79875!033!24!UPPER MARLBORO !PRINCE GEORGE S !MARYLAND !+000003000000!N!N!000000000000!S206!GUARD SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !CAA !MDA SUPPORT !561612!E! !6! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! ! ! !A! ! ! !000! ! ! ! ! ! ! !Y!B!N!N! ! ! ! ! ! !00 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $98.9 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: 200408!000175!9700!HQ0006!MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY !GS07F0190L !C!N! !N!HQ000604F0002! !20040201!20080131!130440241!130440241!130440241!N!BETA ANALYTICS, INC !9600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE !UPPER MARLBORO !MD!20772!79875!033!24!UPPER MARLBORO !PRIN… Key points: 1. Contract value exceeds $130 million, indicating substantial investment in engineering support. 2. The award to BETA ANALYTICS, INC. suggests a focus on specialized analytical capabilities. 3. A long contract duration of 10 years implies a need for sustained, long-term support. 4. The contract is a firm-fixed-price type, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. This award represents a significant portion of the agency's spending in engineering services. 6. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award value of $130,440,241 over 10 years averages to approximately $13 million annually. While specific benchmarks for comparable Missile Defense Agency (MDA) engineering support contracts are not provided, the duration and scope suggest a significant investment. The firm-fixed-price structure indicates that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be favorable for the government if managed effectively. Without more granular data on the specific services rendered and their unit costs, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process provides some assurance of fair pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The data does not specify the number of bidders, but the designation 'full and open' generally implies a competitive environment. This approach is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives the best value by considering a wide range of potential contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and encourages innovation among bidders, ultimately driving down costs or improving service quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Missile Defense Agency, which receives critical engineering and analytical support. Services delivered likely include technical analysis, system design, integration, and testing for missile defense systems. The geographic impact is centered around the contractor's location in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and potentially at MDA facilities nationwide. The contract supports a specialized workforce in engineering and data analytics within the defense sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to complacency or reduced urgency if not actively managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for a decade may limit opportunities for adopting newer technologies or approaches.
Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed throughout the contract lifecycle.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing environment.
The contract's focus on engineering services aligns with critical national defense needs.
Long-term nature allows for deep institutional knowledge and sustained support for complex systems.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the broader aerospace and defense industry. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) operates within a highly specialized segment focused on advanced technological solutions for national security. Spending in this area is often characterized by long development cycles, high R&D investment, and significant government oversight. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within other large-scale defense procurements for complex systems integration and technical support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract likely requiring extensive resources and expertise, it may not be suitable for small business participation directly. However, the prime contractor, BETA ANALYTICS, INC., may engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, depending on the specific requirements and the contractor's subcontracting plan. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether such subcontracting occurs and the nature of the work delegated.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Missile Defense Agency's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's performance work statement, requiring adherence to specific deliverables, quality standards, and timelines. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Missile Defense Systems
Advanced Technology Development
Engineering Consulting Services
Department of Defense IT Services
Federal Research and Development Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration
Potential for scope creep
Reliance on a single provider for an extended period

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $98.9 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. 200408!000175!9700!HQ0006!MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY !GS07F0190L !C!N! !N!HQ000604F0002! !20040201!20080131!130440241!130440241!130440241!N!BETA ANALYTICS, INC !9600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE !UPPER MARLBORO !MD!20772!79875!033!24!UPPER MARLBORO !PRINCE GEORGE S !MARYLAND !+000003000000!N!N!000000000000!S206!GUARD SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !CAA !MDA SUPPORT !561612!E! !6! ! ! ! ! !999

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Missile Defense Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $98.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-02-01. End: 2014-01-31.

What is the historical spending trend for engineering services by the Missile Defense Agency over the last five years?

Analyzing the historical spending trends for engineering services by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) over the past five years reveals a consistent and significant investment in this area. While specific figures fluctuate based on program needs and budget allocations, the MDA has historically allocated substantial portions of its budget towards acquiring specialized engineering expertise. This includes support for research, development, testing, and evaluation of complex missile defense systems. Factors influencing these trends include evolving threat landscapes, technological advancements, and the lifecycle stage of various missile defense programs. For instance, periods of major system development or upgrades typically see increased spending on engineering services. Conversely, periods focused on sustainment or incremental improvements might show more moderate expenditure. Without access to detailed historical procurement data, precise year-over-year figures are unavailable, but the sustained nature of missile defense programs suggests a persistent demand for these critical services.

How does the awarded price per year for this contract compare to similar engineering support contracts within the Department of Defense?

The awarded price per year for this contract, approximately $13 million ($130,440,241 / 10 years), needs to be benchmarked against similar engineering support contracts within the Department of Defense (DoD) to assess its value. Such comparisons are complex due to variations in contract scope, complexity, duration, and specific services rendered. Contracts for highly specialized engineering, such as those involving advanced missile defense technologies, often command higher prices than general engineering services. Factors like the required security clearances, unique technical expertise, and the criticality of the mission also influence pricing. To perform a robust comparison, one would need to identify contracts with similar North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes (e.g., 541330 - Engineering Services), similar contract types (firm-fixed-price), and comparable agencies or program offices within the DoD. Without access to a comprehensive database of these specific contract details, it is difficult to definitively state whether this contract's annual cost is high, low, or average. However, the competitive award process suggests an effort to achieve fair market value.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a contract of this nature, providing engineering services to the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), are typically defined within the Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW). While the specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, they commonly include metrics related to technical performance, schedule adherence, cost control (especially relevant for firm-fixed-price contracts where contractor efficiency is key), and quality of deliverables. For engineering services, KPIs might involve the timely completion of design reviews, the accuracy and completeness of technical documentation, successful integration of system components, and the effectiveness of problem-solving and issue resolution. Customer satisfaction, often measured through formal reviews or surveys by the MDA program office, is also a critical KPI. The contractor's ability to meet or exceed these defined performance standards directly impacts their payment and potential for future contract awards.

What is the track record of BETA ANALYTICS, INC. in performing similar large-scale engineering support contracts for federal agencies?

BETA ANALYTICS, INC.'s track record in performing large-scale engineering support contracts for federal agencies is a crucial factor in assessing the risk and potential success of this award. While the provided data confirms they received this $130M+ contract, it does not detail their past performance history. A thorough analysis would involve examining their contract history, including previous awards, contract values, performance evaluations (such as Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any past performance issues or disputes. Agencies typically review a contractor's past performance as a significant part of the source selection process. For a contract of this magnitude and duration, the MDA would have likely scrutinized BETA ANALYTICS, INC.'s experience with similar complex engineering projects, their financial stability, and their ability to manage large teams and critical defense systems. Without this historical performance data, it's challenging to provide a definitive assessment of their track record.

How has the Missile Defense Agency's spending on engineering services evolved since the inception of this contract?

The inception date of this contract is February 1, 2004, with an end date of January 31, 2014 (though the data shows an award date of 2004-02-01 and an end date of 2008-01-31, suggesting potential modifications or a shorter initial term than the full duration implied by the award value). To understand how MDA's spending on engineering services has evolved since 2004, one would need to examine aggregate MDA budget data and specific procurement actions over that period. The early 2000s saw significant investment in missile defense following evolving geopolitical threats. Spending likely increased as programs matured and new technologies were pursued. Over the subsequent years, spending patterns would have been influenced by program successes or failures, shifts in strategic priorities, and overall defense budget constraints. Analyzing trends would involve looking at the total budget allocated to MDA, the proportion dedicated to research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E), and the specific contracts awarded for engineering and technical support, including whether similar large contracts were awarded to other entities or if this contract was extended or modified.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mantech International Corporation (UEI: 053518312)

Address: 12015 LEE JACKSON MEMORIAL HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $109,075,965

Exercised Options: $109,075,965

Current Obligation: $98,918,853

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F0190L

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline