DoD's $39.9M IGF Freedom of Maneuver IV contract awarded to Amentum Services, Inc. for R&D services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $39,918,657 ($39.9M)

Contractor: Amentum Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2015-04-10

End Date: 2019-02-15

Contract Duration: 1,407 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF FREEDOM OF MANEUVER IV; LETTER CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $39.9 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF FREEDOM OF MANEUVER IV; LETTER CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, indicating potential for cost overruns. 3. Awarded as a Definitive Contract with a duration of 1407 days. 4. The contract was not competed, raising questions about price discovery and value. 5. Amentum Services, Inc. is the sole contractor for this award. 6. The contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS 541712. 7. The contract was administered by the Defense Contract Management Agency. 8. The contract was awarded in Virginia.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this $39.9 million contract is challenging without specific deliverables or performance metrics. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while common for R&D, can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly. Comparing it to similar R&D contracts in the physical and engineering sciences would require detailed analysis of scope and deliverables. The lack of competition further complicates a direct value assessment, as there was no market pressure to drive down costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances prevent a competitive process. The lack of competition means that taxpayers did not benefit from potential cost savings that could have arisen from a bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit opportunities for other businesses and can result in higher prices for taxpayers due to the absence of competitive pressure.

Public Impact

This contract supports research and development activities within the Department of Defense. The primary beneficiaries are likely military branches requiring advancements in physical and engineering sciences. The contract's geographic impact is centered in Virginia, where it was administered. Workforce implications include specialized R&D personnel employed by Amentum Services, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
CPFF contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
Limited transparency due to sole-source award.
Specific R&D outcomes and their impact are not detailed.

Positive Signals

Supports critical R&D for the Department of Defense.
Awarded to a single, established contractor (Amentum Services, Inc.).
Contract duration suggests a significant, long-term project.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541712, which covers R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences (excluding biotechnology). This sector is crucial for technological advancement and national security. Comparable spending in this area can vary widely based on the specific research focus, but significant government investment is typical for defense-related R&D. The market for such specialized R&D services is often concentrated among a few key players with the necessary expertise and security clearances.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. There is also no explicit mention of subcontracting plans for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, Amentum Services, Inc., is expected to perform the work directly or through larger partners, potentially limiting opportunities for small businesses within the defense R&D ecosystem for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), which administers contracts for the Department of Defense. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms of the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, requiring Amentum Services, Inc. to report on costs and progress. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Contracts
Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contracts
Research and Development in Physical Sciences
Research and Development in Engineering Sciences

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
CPFF contract type can lead to cost overruns.
Lack of detailed performance metrics hinders value assessment.
Limited transparency due to non-competitive nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $39.9 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF FREEDOM OF MANEUVER IV; LETTER CONTRACT

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 $39.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-04-10. End: 2019-02-15.

What specific research and development objectives were pursued under the IGF Freedom of Maneuver IV contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific research and development objectives for the IGF Freedom of Maneuver IV contract. The NAICS code 541712 indicates 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology),' suggesting a broad scope. However, without access to the contract's statement of work or performance reports, the precise nature of the R&D, such as advancements in materials science, engineering solutions for military platforms, or operational research, remains unspecified. Further investigation into contract documentation would be necessary to ascertain the detailed R&D goals and expected outcomes.

How does the $39.9 million cost compare to similar R&D contracts for the Department of Defense?

Directly comparing the $39.9 million cost of the IGF Freedom of Maneuver IV contract to similar R&D contracts is difficult without knowing the specific scope, duration, and deliverables. The Department of Defense awards numerous R&D contracts annually, varying significantly in value based on technological complexity and project scale. However, $39.9 million is a substantial sum, indicative of a significant research effort. To provide a meaningful comparison, one would need to identify contracts with comparable NAICS codes (541712), contract types (CPFF), and agencies within DoD, and then analyze their respective performance periods and outcomes. The sole-source nature of this award also means it wasn't subject to competitive pricing benchmarks.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for R&D?

Sole-source Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts for R&D present several risks. The primary risk of a sole-source award is the lack of competition, which can lead to higher prices than might be achieved through a competitive bidding process. There is less incentive for the contractor to control costs rigorously, as the government agrees to cover allowable costs plus a fixed fee. For R&D, the inherent uncertainty in achieving specific outcomes means that costs can escalate unpredictably. Without competition, there's also reduced pressure on the contractor to innovate efficiently or deliver the best possible value. Robust oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is Amentum Services, Inc.'s track record with similar government R&D contracts?

Amentum Services, Inc. has a significant history of performing government contracts, including those related to research and development, engineering, and technical services. While specific details on their track record for contracts identical to 'IGF Freedom of Maneuver IV' are not provided in the summary data, the company is known to operate in complex defense and aerospace sectors. Assessing their track record would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, contract awards, and any reported issues or successes on similar projects. Their experience in managing large-scale, technically demanding contracts is generally recognized, but a deeper dive into specific R&D project outcomes and cost management would be needed for a comprehensive assessment.

How has historical spending on R&D contracts in physical and engineering sciences evolved within the DoD?

Historical spending on R&D contracts in physical and engineering sciences within the DoD has generally trended upwards, driven by the need for technological superiority and evolving geopolitical landscapes. Budgets for R&D are often subject to fluctuations based on national priorities, threat assessments, and economic conditions. The DoD consistently allocates substantial resources to this area, covering a wide range of disciplines from advanced materials and propulsion to cyber capabilities and artificial intelligence. Analyzing specific spending patterns requires examining historical budget allocations and contract award data over several fiscal years, often revealing shifts in focus towards emerging technologies and away from legacy systems.

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 › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,452,384

Exercised Options: $48,452,384

Current Obligation: $39,918,657

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 15

Total Subaward Amount: $1,444,165

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline