DoD's Missile Defense Agency awards $28.8M for Modeling & Simulation Web Services, with Amentum Technology Inc. managing operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,822,826 ($28.8M)

Contractor: Amentum Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-11-28

End Date: 2021-03-31

Contract Duration: 854 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO OPERATE, SUSTAIN, AND MANAGE THE MODELING AND SIMULATION (M&S) WEB SERVICES (MWS) ENCLAVE AND THE M&S CENTER. PLAN, DESIGN, INTEGRATE, AND EXECUTE MDA M&S EVENTS SUCH AS HARDWARE-IN-THE-LOOP (HWIL) SYSTEM-LEVEL POST-FLIGHT RECONSTRUCTION (SPFR) TEST EVENTS, DIRECTED STUDY EVENTS, DIGITAL SUPPORT TO REAL WORLD EVENTS, ELEMENT INTEGRATION EVENTS, CONCEPT ANALYSIS EVENTS, AND ELEMENT POST-FLIGHT RECONSTRUCTION EVENTS.

Place of Performance

Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, EL PASO County, COLORADO, 80912

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.8 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO OPERATE, SUSTAIN, AND MANAGE THE MODELING AND SIMULATION (M&S) WEB SERVICES (MWS) ENCLAVE AND THE M&S CENTER. PLAN, DESIGN, INTEGRATE, AND EXECUTE MDA M&S EVENTS SUCH AS HARDWARE-IN-THE-LOOP (HWIL) SYSTEM-LEVEL POST-FLIGHT RECONSTRUCTION (SPFR… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on operating, sustaining, and managing critical Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Web Services (MWS) and the M&S Center. 2. Services include planning, designing, integrating, and executing complex M&S events for missile defense. 3. The contract supports various event types, including hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) system-level post-flight reconstruction and digital support to real-world events. 4. Amentum Technology, Inc. is the contractor, indicating a specific expertise in this specialized area. 5. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 6. The duration of the contract is 854 days, spanning from late 2018 to early 2021.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $28.8 million for a period of 854 days (approximately 2.3 years) suggests a significant investment in maintaining and operating complex simulation capabilities. While direct comparisons are difficult without specific service benchmarks, the cost appears reasonable for specialized R&D support involving advanced modeling and simulation. The cost-plus incentive fee (CPIF) contract type suggests that performance incentives were tied to cost, potentially driving efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This suggests a robust bidding environment where multiple companies likely vied for the opportunity. The level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to better pricing for taxpayers by fostering a competitive marketplace where contractors are incentivized to offer their best value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and the Missile Defense Agency, who gain access to essential modeling and simulation capabilities. Services delivered include the operation and sustainment of web services and simulation centers, crucial for testing and development. The contract supports advanced simulation events like hardware-in-the-loop testing, vital for validating missile defense systems. Geographic impact is likely concentrated around the contractor's facilities and the agency's operational centers, though the digital nature of M&S has broader reach. Workforce implications include employment for specialized engineers, scientists, and technical personnel in the modeling and simulation field.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The cost-plus incentive fee (CPIF) structure, while incentivizing, can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not carefully managed and monitored.
The specialized nature of M&S requires highly skilled personnel, and reliance on a single contractor for these critical functions could pose a risk if contractor performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive process that should have yielded a fair price.
The contractor, Amentum Technology, Inc., is likely experienced in this specialized field, suggesting a degree of technical capability.
The contract's focus on operating and sustaining existing infrastructure implies a stable and ongoing need for these services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically focusing on advanced modeling and simulation (M&S). The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) relies heavily on M&S to design, test, and evaluate complex weapon systems like missile defense. The market for M&S services is specialized, involving high-tech firms with expertise in simulation software, hardware integration, and data analysis. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large-scale simulation and testing contracts within the DoD, particularly those supporting advanced weapon system development.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large-scale R&D and operational support contract, it is unlikely to have significant direct subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless specifically mandated or if the prime contractor chooses to engage them for specialized support. The primary focus is on the prime contractor's capabilities, suggesting limited direct impact on the broader small business ecosystem for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Defense and the Missile Defense Agency. As a task order under a larger contract vehicle, oversight mechanisms would likely include regular program reviews, performance monitoring against contract requirements, and financial audits. The CPIF structure implies specific performance metrics that would be tracked. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Missile Defense Systems
Advanced Simulation and Modeling
DoD Research and Development Contracts
Aerospace Engineering Services
Systems Integration Contracts

Risk Flags

Cybersecurity Risk
Technological Obsolescence
Personnel Expertise Dependency
Contractor Performance Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.8 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC.. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO OPERATE, SUSTAIN, AND MANAGE THE MODELING AND SIMULATION (M&S) WEB SERVICES (MWS) ENCLAVE AND THE M&S CENTER. PLAN, DESIGN, INTEGRATE, AND EXECUTE MDA M&S EVENTS SUCH AS HARDWARE-IN-THE-LOOP (HWIL) SYSTEM-LEVEL POST-FLIGHT RECONSTRUCTION (SPFR) TEST EVENTS, DIRECTED STUDY EVENTS, DIGITAL SUPPORT TO REAL WORLD EVENTS, ELEMENT INTEGRATION EVENTS, CONCEPT ANALYSIS EVENTS, AND ELEMENT POST-FLIGHT RECONSTRUCTION EVENTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-11-28. End: 2021-03-31.

What is the historical spending trend for Modeling and Simulation Web Services (MWS) by the Missile Defense Agency?

Analyzing historical spending on MWS by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) requires examining contract data over several fiscal years. While this specific task order represents $28.8 million from late 2018 to early 2021, understanding the trend involves looking at prior and subsequent contracts for similar M&S operations and sustainment. Generally, agencies like the MDA have consistent, often increasing, needs for advanced simulation capabilities due to the complexity and cost of physical testing. Spending in this area is driven by the development lifecycle of new defense systems and the need to maintain and upgrade existing simulation infrastructure. Without access to a broader dataset of MDA's M&S contracts, it's difficult to pinpoint precise trends, but the nature of missile defense development suggests sustained or growing investment in simulation technologies.

How does Amentum Technology, Inc.'s performance on this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar R&D support services?

Assessing Amentum Technology, Inc.'s performance on this specific $28.8 million contract requires detailed performance reports, quality metrics, and potentially past performance evaluations that are not publicly available in this dataset. Industry benchmarks for R&D support services in modeling and simulation (M&S) typically focus on factors like on-time delivery of simulation results, accuracy of models, system uptime, and adherence to technical specifications. Given the contract type (Cost Plus Incentive Fee), performance incentives likely played a role. Amentum's ability to meet or exceed these incentives would be a key indicator of performance. Without specific performance data or comparative analyses from the agency, it's challenging to provide a definitive benchmark comparison. However, the fact that the contract was awarded and executed suggests a baseline level of acceptable performance.

What are the key risks associated with operating and sustaining the M&S Web Services enclave for the Missile Defense Agency?

Key risks associated with operating and sustaining the M&S Web Services (MWS) enclave for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) include cybersecurity threats, technological obsolescence, and reliance on specialized personnel. The MWS enclave likely handles sensitive data and complex models, making it a target for cyberattacks. Failure to maintain robust security could compromise system integrity and data confidentiality. Technological obsolescence is another significant risk; M&S technologies evolve rapidly, and outdated systems or software could hinder the agency's capabilities. Ensuring continuous updates and integration of new technologies is crucial. Furthermore, the specialized nature of M&S requires a highly skilled workforce. A shortage of qualified personnel or high turnover rates could disrupt operations and impact the quality of simulation outcomes. Finally, dependency on a single contractor, even with competition, carries inherent risks if performance degrades or the contractor faces financial instability.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the development timeline of new missile defense systems?

This contract plays a crucial role in the development timeline of new missile defense systems by ensuring the availability and functionality of essential Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Web Services (MWS) and the M&S Center. These services are fundamental for designing, testing, analyzing, and refining missile defense components and architectures before costly physical prototypes are built or deployed. By providing reliable M&S capabilities, the contract enables engineers and analysts to conduct numerous virtual tests, identify design flaws early, and optimize system performance. Delays or failures in M&S operations could directly impede the progress of system development, leading to schedule slips and increased costs. Conversely, efficient and effective M&S support, as facilitated by this contract, accelerates the iterative design-build-test cycle, ultimately helping to bring new missile defense capabilities to fruition more rapidly and with greater confidence in their effectiveness.

How does the $28.8 million award compare to the overall budget of the Missile Defense Agency for R&D and simulation activities?

The $28.8 million award for M&S Web Services represents a specific component of the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) broader Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) budget. The MDA's total budget typically runs into the billions of dollars annually, reflecting the significant investment required for developing and fielding complex missile defense systems. For instance, in fiscal years around 2018-2021, the MDA's budget was often in the range of $9-11 billion per year. Therefore, this $28.8 million contract, while substantial in absolute terms, constitutes a relatively small fraction (likely less than 1%) of the agency's overall annual RDT&E funding. It highlights the importance of dedicated funding for simulation and modeling infrastructure, which underpins many other R&D activities within the agency.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: H9500115R0001

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE (V)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Pae-Parsons Global Logistics Services, LLC

Address: 550 WILLIAM NORTHERN BLVD., TULLAHOMA, TN, 37388

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,822,826

Exercised Options: $28,822,826

Current Obligation: $28,822,826

Actual Outlays: $2,063,972

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HQ079617D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline