Marine Corps Systems Command awarded $29.5M for advanced technology development, with a 5-year duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,544,373 ($29.5M)

Contractor: Amentum Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2003-10-01

End Date: 2013-09-15

Contract Duration: 3,637 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200410!009042!1700!F9999 !MARINE CORPS SYSTEMS COMMAND !M6785403C0025 !A!N! !Y! !P00000!20031103!20040930!083070925!065262573!043271568!N!EG&G TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC !900 CLOPPER ROAD !GAITHERSBURG !MD!20878!31175!031!24!GAITHERSBURG !MONTGOMERY !MARYLAND !+000004728454!N!N!000000000000!AC43!RDTE/TANK - AUTOMOTIVE-ADV TECH DEV !S1 !SERVICES !515 !AAAV !541611!E! !3! ! !C! ! !99990909!B! ! !B! !A!N!J!2!005!K! !Z!N!Z! ! !Y!B!N!N! ! !Z! !C!A!00 !A!B!N! ! ! ! !1727!M48396!0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $29.5 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC. for work described as: 200410!009042!1700!F9999 !MARINE CORPS SYSTEMS COMMAND !M6785403C0025 !A!N! !Y! !P00000!20031103!20040930!083070925!065262573!043271568!N!EG&G TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC !900 CLOPPER ROAD !GAITHERSBURG !MD!20878!31175!031!24!GAITHERSBURG !MONT… Key points: 1. Contract value of $29.5M for advanced technology development indicates significant investment in this area. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. A duration of over 5 years implies a long-term need for the services provided. 4. The primary service category is Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services, with a specific focus on RDTE/Tank - Automotive - Adv Tech Dev. 5. The contract was awarded to EG&G Technical Services, Inc., with Amentum Services, Inc. listed as a contractor. 6. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 7. The presence of 5 offers suggests a competitive market for these specialized services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $29.5M for a 5-year period for advanced technology development appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar RDTE contracts for armored vehicle technology development would provide further context. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps control costs for the government, assuming the scope is well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that multiple sources were solicited and considered. The presence of 5 offers suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement, which typically leads to better pricing and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more favorable price than a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Marine Corps, who will receive advancements in tank and automotive technology. Services delivered include research, development, testing, and evaluation for advanced technologies. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting defense innovation centers. Workforce implications include specialized engineering, research, and technical support roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in long-term R&D contracts if not managed tightly.
Reliance on a single primary contractor for critical technology development could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition indicates a healthy market and potential for innovation.
Long contract duration allows for sustained development and integration of advanced technologies.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically focusing on Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDTE) for armored vehicle technology. The market for defense R&D is characterized by significant government investment, long development cycles, and specialized contractors. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other advanced technology development contracts within the Department of Defense for similar platforms.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides for this contract. However, as a large prime contract for advanced technology development, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors to EG&G Technical Services, Inc. or Amentum Services, Inc. The extent of small business subcontracting would depend on the prime contractors' strategies and the specific needs of the project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and the relevant program office within Marine Corps Systems Command. Accountability measures would include performance metrics, milestone reviews, and adherence to the firm fixed-price contract terms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed technical progress reports are typically not public.

Related Government Programs

Marine Corps Systems Command Procurement
Department of Defense Research and Development
Advanced Automotive Technology
Tank and Automotive Development Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion criteria.
Long-term R&D contracts carry inherent risks of technological obsolescence or shifting requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $29.5 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC.. 200410!009042!1700!F9999 !MARINE CORPS SYSTEMS COMMAND !M6785403C0025 !A!N! !Y! !P00000!20031103!20040930!083070925!065262573!043271568!N!EG&G TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC !900 CLOPPER ROAD !GAITHERSBURG !MD!20878!31175!031!24!GAITHERSBURG !MONTGOMERY !MARYLAND !+000004728454!N!N!000000000000!AC43!RDTE/TANK - AUTOMOTIVE-ADV TECH DEV !S1 !SERVICES !515 !AAAV !541611!E! !3! ! !C! ! !999

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 Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-10-01. End: 2013-09-15.

What is the track record of EG&G Technical Services, Inc. with similar advanced technology development contracts for the Marine Corps or other branches?

EG&G Technical Services, Inc. has a history of performing various technical and support services for government agencies, including the Department of Defense. While specific details on their track record with advanced technology development for armored vehicles require deeper analysis of past performance databases, their involvement in this $29.5M contract suggests they possess the requisite capabilities. Further investigation into their past performance ratings, any past issues or successes on similar projects, and their financial stability would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their suitability for this long-term R&D effort.

How does the awarded value of $29.5M compare to similar advanced technology development contracts for armored vehicles?

The awarded value of $29.5M over approximately 5 years for advanced technology development in the tank and automotive sector is a significant investment. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against other RDTE contracts for similar platforms (e.g., next-generation infantry fighting vehicles, upgrades to existing tank systems) awarded by the Army or Marine Corps. Factors such as the scope of work (e.g., conceptual design vs. prototype development), the specific technologies being researched, and the duration of the contract are crucial for a meaningful comparison. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents a high, low, or average investment.

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

Key performance indicators for a contract focused on RDTE/Tank - Automotive - Adv Tech Dev would likely include technical milestones, prototype performance metrics, adherence to schedule, and cost control within the firm fixed-price framework. Specific KPIs might involve the successful demonstration of new technologies (e.g., improved armor, enhanced mobility systems, advanced fire control), the delivery of functional prototypes meeting defined specifications, and the timely completion of research phases. The government would monitor these through regular progress reports, technical reviews, and potentially independent testing.

What is the historical spending pattern for advanced technology development within the Marine Corps Systems Command for armored vehicles?

Historical spending on advanced technology development for armored vehicles by Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) would likely show fluctuations based on strategic priorities, budget allocations, and perceived threats. MCSC manages a broad portfolio of ground vehicle programs, and R&D funding is crucial for maintaining technological superiority. Analyzing past budgets and contract awards for programs like the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) or upgrades to existing platforms would reveal trends. Generally, significant investments are made during periods of major platform modernization or when facing evolving battlefield challenges that necessitate new technological solutions.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award type?

While 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' aims for broad competition, the 'exclusion of sources' aspect warrants attention. This typically means that while the competition was open, certain potential sources might have been excluded based on specific criteria (e.g., security clearances, specific technical expertise, past performance issues). The risk lies in ensuring that the exclusion criteria were justified, necessary, and did not unduly limit competition to the point where a more innovative or cost-effective solution was missed. A thorough review of the justification for exclusion is important to mitigate this risk.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Amentum Government Services Holdings LLC

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

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline