Army awards $8.6M for operational support, highlighting engineering services for force management

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,636,485 ($8.6M)

Contractor: Heartland Energy Partners LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-12-28

End Date: 2026-12-28

Contract Duration: 1,461 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS PROCUREMENT IS TO PROVIDE AUGMENTATION OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES (OSS)TO HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY G 3/5/7, THE FORCE MANAGEMENT MISSION COMMAND DIVISION.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20310

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $8.6 million to HEARTLAND ENERGY PARTNERS LLC for work described as: THIS PROCUREMENT IS TO PROVIDE AUGMENTATION OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES (OSS)TO HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY G 3/5/7, THE FORCE MANAGEMENT MISSION COMMAND DIVISION. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized engineering services for the Army's force management mission. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market. 3. A fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictable spending. 4. The duration of the contract extends over four years, indicating a long-term need. 5. The primary recipient is Heartland Energy Partners LLC, a new entrant in this specific contract category. 6. The contract is geographically concentrated in Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific service details. The $8.6 million over four years averages to approximately $2.15 million annually. This figure needs to be compared against similar operational support contracts within the Department of the Army or other branches to assess if it represents a fair price for the services rendered. The fixed-price nature provides some cost certainty, but the overall value proposition depends heavily on the quality and effectiveness of the support provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' which typically means the solicitation was broadly advertised, but specific sources were excluded for defined reasons. The presence of four bidders indicates a degree of competition. However, the 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation to understand if it limited the competitive pool and potentially impacted price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to bid, driving down prices. The exclusion of sources, if not fully justified, could represent a missed opportunity for greater cost savings.

Public Impact

The Headquarters Department of the Army G-3/5/7, specifically the Force Management Mission Command Division, will benefit from augmented operational support. Services delivered will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of force management operations. The geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C., where the Army's headquarters is located. The contract supports specialized roles within the federal workforce, likely requiring engineering and operational expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type requires scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition and taxpayer value.
Lack of detailed service descriptions makes it difficult to benchmark performance and value for money.
The contractor, Heartland Energy Partners LLC, appears to be a relatively new entity in large federal contracts, raising questions about their track record for this scale of support.

Positive Signals

The contract is awarded under a full and open competition framework, indicating an effort to leverage market forces.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
The contract duration of four years suggests a stable, long-term requirement for these services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS code 541330), which is a critical component of government operations, particularly for defense and infrastructure. The market for such services is substantial, with numerous firms capable of providing specialized support. This specific award represents a small fraction of overall federal spending on engineering and professional services, but it is vital for the Army's internal force management functions. Benchmarking would involve comparing this contract's value and scope to other similar operational support contracts awarded by the Department of Defense.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates 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 primary focus is on large business competition or open market procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, but further details on performance metrics and oversight activities would require access to internal government reporting or Inspector General investigations.

Related Government Programs

Army Force Management
Operational Support Services
Engineering Services Contracts
Department of Defense IT and Professional Services

Risk Flags

Competition Limitation: The 'exclusion of sources' clause requires further review to ensure maximum taxpayer value.
Contractor Experience: Assess the track record of Heartland Energy Partners LLC for similar scale and complexity.
Service Specificity: Lack of detailed service description hinders comprehensive value and performance assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $8.6 million to HEARTLAND ENERGY PARTNERS LLC. THIS PROCUREMENT IS TO PROVIDE AUGMENTATION OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES (OSS)TO HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY G 3/5/7, THE FORCE MANAGEMENT MISSION COMMAND DIVISION.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HEARTLAND ENERGY PARTNERS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-12-28. End: 2026-12-28.

What is the specific nature of the 'augmentation operational support services' provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Augmentation Operational Support Services (OSS) to Headquarters Department of the Army G-3/5/7, the Force Management Mission Command Division.' While the exact nature of these services is not detailed, the NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services) suggests that the support likely involves technical, analytical, or advisory functions related to force structure, planning, and readiness. This could encompass areas like data analysis, process improvement, strategic planning support, or technical documentation, all aimed at augmenting the existing capabilities of the Force Management Mission Command Division.

How does the $8.6 million contract value compare to similar operational support contracts for Army headquarters divisions?

Direct comparison of the $8.6 million contract value to similar operational support contracts for Army headquarters divisions is difficult without access to a comprehensive database of historical and current contracts with detailed service scopes. However, as an average of approximately $2.15 million per year over four years, it appears to be a moderate-sized award for specialized support services. To provide a robust comparison, one would need to identify contracts with comparable objectives (e.g., force management, operational planning support) awarded to similar organizational levels within the Department of the Army or other major commands, and then normalize for contract duration and scope.

What are the potential risks associated with Heartland Energy Partners LLC performing these services?

Potential risks associated with Heartland Energy Partners LLC performing these services could include their level of experience with large-scale federal contracts, particularly within the Department of the Army's complex operational environment. While the contract was competed, if the company is less experienced, there might be risks related to project management, understanding of military protocols, or timely delivery of high-quality support. Furthermore, the 'exclusion of sources' aspect of the competition warrants investigation; if this limited the pool of highly qualified and experienced vendors, it could indirectly pose a risk if Heartland Energy Partners is not as capable as other potential bidders might have been.

What is the historical spending pattern for operational support services within the Army's G-3/5/7, and how does this contract fit?

Historical spending patterns for operational support services within the Army's G-3/5/7 are not detailed in the provided data. To assess this, one would need to analyze past contract awards for similar services to this specific directorate or its predecessors. This contract, valued at $8.6 million over four years, represents a specific investment in augmenting the Force Management Mission Command Division. Its significance within the historical context would depend on whether previous support was procured differently (e.g., through internal staffing, different contract vehicles) or if this represents a new or expanded requirement. Understanding past spending would help determine if this award is consistent with, or a deviation from, previous procurement strategies.

What performance metrics are likely being used to evaluate the success of this operational support contract?

While specific performance metrics are not provided, typical performance evaluation for operational support services in a federal context often includes metrics related to timeliness of deliverables, quality of analysis or support provided, adherence to project milestones, and responsiveness to requests. For a contract supporting force management, metrics might also include accuracy of data provided, effectiveness of recommendations, or successful integration of augmented support into existing workflows. The firm fixed-price nature implies that meeting the defined scope of work and quality standards is paramount for successful contract performance and payment.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: W9124D23R0013

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6720 CURRAN ST, MC LEAN, VA, 22101

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,996,718

Exercised Options: $11,188,127

Current Obligation: $8,636,485

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D1201

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline