DoD's $13M Force Management Support Contract Awarded to Benchmark International Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,982,498 ($13.0M)
Contractor: Benchmark International Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-09-30
End Date: 2010-10-29
Contract Duration: 1,125 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FORCE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT TO USAFMSA
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22202
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $13.0 million to BENCHMARK INTERNATIONAL INC for work described as: FORCE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT TO USAFMSA Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Services provided align with administrative management and general consulting needs. 5. Contract duration of over three years indicates a significant, ongoing requirement. 6. Awarded to a single firm, highlighting the importance of specialized expertise.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $13 million over three years for force management support services appears to be within a reasonable range for a federal contract of this nature. Benchmarking against similar administrative management and general management consulting services contracts awarded by the Department of Defense suggests that the pricing is competitive. The firm-fixed-price contract type further indicates that the government secured a defined scope of work at a set price, which is generally favorable for value.
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 presence of four bidders suggests a competitive environment for these specialized management consulting services. A competitive process like this generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government receives proposals from a range of qualified contractors, potentially driving innovation and efficiency.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive bidding process through potentially lower prices and a wider selection of qualified service providers, ensuring that government funds are used efficiently.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army and the broader Department of Defense, receiving critical support for force management. Services delivered include administrative management and general management consulting, aimed at optimizing military force structures and operations. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Defense's operational areas, with potential implications for national security readiness. Workforce implications may involve the utilization of specialized consultants to advise military leadership on organizational efficiency and strategic planning.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized and difficult to transition.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical force management functions could pose a risk if performance degrades.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract structure limits the government's exposure to cost increases.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust market and potential for high-quality service delivery.
- Awarded by the Department of the Army, indicating alignment with a significant federal agency's needs.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is crucial for government operations, providing expertise in areas ranging from organizational efficiency to strategic planning. The market size for federal consulting services is substantial, with agencies consistently seeking external expertise to address complex challenges and improve performance. This contract represents a typical engagement for specialized consulting within the defense industry.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by the 'sb' field being false. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract is likely minimal, though larger prime contractors often engage small businesses in their supply chains.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contract administration office within the Department of the Army. Performance monitoring and quality assurance would be key accountability measures. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific internal oversight details are not publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Defense Management Consulting Services
- Military Force Structure Optimization
- Administrative Support Services
- General Management Consulting
Risk Flags
- Contract duration exceeds typical short-term consulting engagements.
- Sole awardee may indicate limited market competition for highly specialized services.
- Fixed-price contract requires careful scope definition to avoid change orders.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, administrative-management, general-management-consulting, full-and-open-competition, firm-fixed-price, large-contract, management-consulting, virginia, professional-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $13.0 million to BENCHMARK INTERNATIONAL INC. FORCE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT TO USAFMSA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BENCHMARK INTERNATIONAL INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $13.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-09-30. End: 2010-10-29.
What is the track record of Benchmark International Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?
Benchmark International Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, primarily within the administrative and management consulting domains. While specific details on past performance for force management support are not provided in this summary, their engagement by the Department of the Army suggests a level of qualification and experience deemed sufficient for this requirement. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance reviews, and any reported issues would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and expertise in delivering similar services to government agencies.
How does the awarded value compare to similar force management support contracts?
The awarded value of approximately $13 million over three years for force management support services is considered competitive when benchmarked against similar contracts. Federal agencies often procure management and administrative consulting services at varying price points depending on the complexity, duration, and specific deliverables. Given the firm-fixed-price nature and the full and open competition, this award suggests that Benchmark International Inc. offered a price that was deemed fair and reasonable in relation to the scope of work and the market landscape for such specialized services.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
Key risks include potential performance issues, contractor non-compliance, or unforeseen changes in requirements. The firm-fixed-price contract type mitigates financial risk for the government by capping costs. Mitigation strategies for performance risk would involve robust contract oversight, clear performance metrics, and regular progress reviews. The full and open competition process also helps mitigate risk by selecting a contractor with a demonstrated capability to meet the requirements, and the contract duration allows for a phased approach to service delivery.
How effective has this type of contract been in achieving force management objectives for the Air Force?
This contract was awarded to the Department of the Army, not the Air Force. Force management support contracts are designed to enhance organizational efficiency, strategic planning, and resource allocation within military branches. Their effectiveness is typically measured by improvements in operational readiness, cost savings, and the successful implementation of organizational changes. While specific outcomes for this particular contract are not detailed, the continued use of such contracts by defense agencies indicates a perceived value in leveraging external expertise for critical management functions.
What are the historical spending patterns for force management support within the Department of Defense?
Historical spending on force management support within the Department of Defense (DoD) is substantial, reflecting the complexity and scale of managing a global military force. Agencies like the Army, Navy, and Air Force regularly contract for services related to personnel management, organizational structure, strategic planning, and operational efficiency. Spending in this category can fluctuate based on geopolitical conditions, modernization efforts, and budget allocations. This $13 million contract represents a segment of the broader DoD investment in ensuring its forces are optimally structured and managed.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting 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
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1505 CRYSTAL DR APT 807, ARLINGTON, VA, 08
Business Categories: Category Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $12,982,498
Exercised Options: $12,982,498
Current Obligation: $12,982,498
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS10F0267M
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-09-30
Current End Date: 2010-10-29
Potential End Date: 2012-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-04-03
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)