Dod's $2.68M Engineering Services Contract Awarded to Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,680,448 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-06-12

End Date: 2020-06-11

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: ENGINEERING SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.7 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: ENGINEERING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 3. The duration of 365 days indicates a relatively short-term engagement for engineering services. 4. The award was a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger contract vehicle. 5. The specific NAICS code (541330) points to specialized engineering services. 6. The contractor, MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC., has secured this award from the Department of the Navy.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $2.68 million contract requires more detailed cost breakdowns and comparison to similar engineering service contracts. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure introduces inherent risk for cost control, as the government pays actual costs plus a fixed fee. Without insight into the fixed fee percentage or the base cost estimates, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the award was made under full and open competition, which generally supports competitive pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The Department of the Navy likely issued a solicitation that allowed multiple companies to propose solutions for the engineering services required.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and potentially lower prices.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of the Navy, which receives specialized engineering services. The services delivered are categorized under 'Engineering Services', suggesting support for naval systems, infrastructure, or research and development. The geographic impact is likely concentrated around naval facilities or project sites within Virginia, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for engineers and technical staff at MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can incentivize contractor to increase costs to increase fee if not properly managed.
Lack of specific details on the engineering services provided makes it difficult to assess performance outcomes.
Short contract duration (1 year) may limit long-term impact or require follow-on contracts.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Contractor is established and has secured an award from a major defense agency.
Delivery Order structure suggests integration into a broader strategic acquisition framework.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector is a critical component of the defense industrial base, providing essential expertise for the design, development, and sustainment of complex military systems. This $2.68 million contract falls within the broader IT and Defense sectors, where specialized engineering support is consistently in demand. Comparable spending benchmarks for engineering services within the Department of Defense can range from hundreds of thousands to billions of dollars, depending on the scope and complexity of the project.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC., is likely a mid-to-large-sized business, and any subcontracting would be at their discretion based on project needs.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Navy. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms and conditions of the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, including adherence to cost ceilings and performance requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Contracts
Department of Defense Engineering Support Services
Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contracts
Defense Acquisition Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent risk of cost escalation.
Limited public information on specific performance metrics for this delivery order.
Contract duration is relatively short, potentially requiring follow-on efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.7 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. ENGINEERING SERVICES

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 (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-06-12. End: 2020-06-11.

What is the specific nature of the engineering services provided under this contract?

The contract is categorized under NAICS code 541330, which denotes 'Engineering Services'. While the specific details of the services are not provided in the abbreviated data, this typically encompasses a wide range of activities such as design, analysis, testing, and consulting related to various engineering disciplines. For the Department of the Navy, these services could involve support for naval vessels, weapon systems, infrastructure projects, or research and development initiatives. Further details would likely be found in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS).

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type compare to other pricing arrangements for similar engineering services?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are common in defense and R&D where the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset, or where innovation is a key driver. In a CPFF contract, the government reimburses the contractor for all allowable costs incurred and pays a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This differs from Fixed Price contracts, where the price is set regardless of costs, or Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contracts, which include incentives for meeting cost or performance targets. CPFF can offer flexibility but carries a higher risk of cost growth if not rigorously managed, compared to fixed-price arrangements.

What is the track record of MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. with the Department of Defense?

MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. has a history of receiving contracts from the Department of Defense. While this specific award is for $2.68 million, a comprehensive analysis of their track record would involve examining the total value and volume of contracts awarded to them over time, their performance ratings on past contracts, and any past performance issues or awards. Accessing the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or similar databases would provide a more detailed history of their engagements with the DoD and other federal agencies.

What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for engineering services?

The primary risk with a CPFF contract is potential cost overrun. Since the contractor is reimbursed for actual costs plus a fixed fee, there is less incentive for them to control costs compared to a fixed-price contract. If the fixed fee is a significant percentage of the estimated cost, or if the initial cost estimates are inaccurate, the total contract value could escalate beyond initial projections. Effective oversight by the government, including thorough cost audits and performance monitoring, is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for taxpayer money.

How does the 'full and open competition' procurement method influence the pricing and quality of engineering services?

Full and open competition is designed to maximize the number of potential bidders, thereby fostering a competitive environment. This increased competition generally leads to better pricing for the government as contractors strive to offer the most attractive proposals. It also encourages innovation and higher quality services as companies compete on merit. The Department of the Navy's choice of this method suggests they sought the best possible value by allowing all qualified firms to participate, rather than restricting the field through set-asides or other limitations.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: N0042115R0043

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mantech International Corporation

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: $2,712,391

Exercised Options: $2,712,391

Current Obligation: $2,680,448

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $808,594,150

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0042117D0032

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline