DoD's $20.9M ISR program awarded to Electronics & Management Professionals, Inc. for engineering services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,897,141 ($20.9M)

Contractor: Electronics & Management Professionals, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-11-17

End Date: 2011-11-16

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: INFORMATION OPERATIONS AND INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: FREDERICK, FREDERICK County, MARYLAND, 21703

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.9 million to ELECTRONICS & MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS, INC. for work described as: INFORMATION OPERATIONS AND INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAM Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the contract duration and scope, though specific performance metrics are not detailed. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting a competitive market for these specialized engineering services. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed closely. 4. Performance context is limited without specific deliverables or outcomes, but the contract spans over three years. 5. Sector positioning places this within the defense intelligence and engineering services market, a critical area for national security.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of approximately $20.9 million over nearly three years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) engineering service contracts is challenging without more specific details on the services rendered. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not meticulously managed, indicating a potential area for cost scrutiny.

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. With 5 bids received, the competition level suggests a healthy market for these specialized engineering services. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging innovative solutions from multiple providers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense agencies requiring advanced ISR capabilities. Services delivered likely include engineering support, system integration, and technical expertise for ISR platforms. Geographic impact is primarily within the defense sector, supporting national security operations. Workforce implications involve skilled engineers and technical professionals in the defense contracting industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Limited public information on specific performance metrics makes a thorough value assessment difficult.
The duration of the contract (nearly three years) requires sustained oversight to ensure continued value.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust market and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract supports critical national security functions within the ISR domain.
The contractor, Electronics & Management Professionals, Inc., has experience in this specialized field.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader defense engineering services sector, specifically focusing on Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) programs. The ISR market is a significant segment of defense spending, driven by the continuous need for advanced technological solutions to gather and analyze information. Comparable spending benchmarks in this niche are difficult to ascertain without granular data, but the overall defense engineering services market is substantial, with numerous firms competing for government contracts.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb: false'. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award is likely minimal, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors if it aligns with their project needs.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), which is responsible for ensuring contractor performance and compliance. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including reporting requirements and payment milestones tied to performance. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are often not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems
Defense Engineering Services
Aerospace and Defense Contractors
Department of Defense IT and Support Services

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
Limited public data on specific performance outcomes hinders a full value assessment.
Cybersecurity risks inherent in ISR programs necessitate robust security protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.9 million to ELECTRONICS & MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS, INC.. INFORMATION OPERATIONS AND INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ELECTRONICS & MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS, 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 $20.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-11-17. End: 2011-11-16.

What specific ISR capabilities or systems does this contract support?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'INFORMATION OPERATIONS AND INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAM' and falls under 'Engineering Services'. While specific system details are not public, it implies support for the development, integration, maintenance, or enhancement of ISR platforms or related information operations technologies. This could range from sensor integration and data processing to command and control systems crucial for gathering and disseminating intelligence.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure compare to other contract types for similar ISR engineering services?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined or when there is significant uncertainty in the cost of performance. For ISR engineering services, where technological innovation and evolving requirements are common, CPFF can provide flexibility. However, it shifts cost risk to the government, as the contractor is reimbursed for actual costs plus a fixed fee. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF offers less cost certainty for the government but can be more adaptable. Fixed-Price Incentive (FPI) contracts offer a middle ground, sharing cost savings and overruns between the government and contractor.

What is the typical track record of Electronics & Management Professionals, Inc. on similar government contracts?

Publicly available data suggests Electronics & Management Professionals, Inc. has a history of performing government contracts, including those within the defense sector. While specific details on their performance for ISR-related programs require deeper investigation into contract databases and performance reviews, their presence as a recipient of this DoD contract indicates they meet certain qualifications. A comprehensive assessment would involve reviewing past performance ratings, any contract disputes, and the types of services they have previously delivered to federal agencies.

What is the historical spending trend for ISR engineering services within the Department of Defense?

The Department of Defense consistently allocates significant funding towards Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, as these are fundamental to modern warfare and national security. Historical spending trends show a sustained and often increasing investment in ISR, driven by technological advancements and evolving global threats. This includes funding for platforms, sensors, data analysis, and the engineering services required to develop and maintain these complex systems. The overall ISR budget is a substantial portion of the defense procurement and research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) accounts.

Are there any known risks associated with the specific engineering services provided under this contract?

The primary risks associated with engineering services for complex ISR programs often revolve around technological obsolescence, integration challenges, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and schedule delays. Given the CPFF contract type, there's also a financial risk of cost overruns if project management and oversight are insufficient. The sensitive nature of ISR information also introduces risks related to data security and potential breaches. Without specific details on the systems supported, it's difficult to pinpoint unique risks, but these are common concerns in the ISR domain.

How does the $20.9 million contract value compare to the overall budget for ISR programs within the DoD?

The $20.9 million contract value represents a specific investment in engineering services for ISR programs. The overall DoD budget for ISR is significantly larger, encompassing the procurement of platforms (aircraft, satellites, drones), sensors, communication systems, data processing infrastructure, and personnel. This single contract is a component of that larger ecosystem, likely funding specialized technical expertise rather than major hardware acquisition. Its proportion within the total ISR budget would be relatively small, highlighting the specialized nature of the services procured.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N0002406R3540

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 303 TAYSIDE CT, CHARLESTON, SC, 29414

Business Categories: Category Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $728,626,999

Exercised Options: $243,931,632

Current Obligation: $20,897,141

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017805D4312

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline