DoD's $26.3M AVCATT HMD Upgrade Contract Awarded to Rockwell Collins in 2007

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,269,046 ($26.3M)

Contractor: Rockwell Collins Simulation & Training Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-07-26

End Date: 2011-01-16

Contract Duration: 1,270 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: AVCATT HMD MODIFICATION AND UPGRADE

Place of Performance

Location: CEDAR RAPIDS, LINN County, IOWA, 52498

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $26.3 million to ROCKWELL COLLINS SIMULATION & TRAINING SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: AVCATT HMD MODIFICATION AND UPGRADE Key points: 1. The contract aimed to upgrade the Advanced Virtual Cockpit Crew Training (AVCATT) system's Helmet Mounted Display (HMD). 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration was 1270 days, indicating a medium-term project. 4. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. The primary contractor, Rockwell Collins, is a significant player in simulation and training solutions. 6. The contract falls under the 'Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing' NAICS code. 7. The award was made by the Defense Contract Management Agency, indicating oversight within the DoD. 8. The contract was awarded in 2007 and completed in 2011, providing historical context.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific HMD modification and upgrade is challenging without detailed technical specifications and market data from 2007. The total award amount of approximately $26.3 million over a period of roughly 3.5 years suggests a moderate investment for a specialized defense training system upgrade. Without comparable contract data for similar HMD upgrades during that period, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing was competitive or represented excellent value for money. The firm-fixed-price contract type implies that the contractor bore the risk of cost overruns, which can sometimes lead to higher initial bids but provides cost certainty for the government.

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 two bidders suggests a degree of competition, though the exact number of interested parties and the rigor of the evaluation process are not detailed. A competitive environment generally encourages more favorable pricing and better terms for the government. However, the specific market for advanced HMD upgrades for military simulators might inherently limit the number of qualified bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best possible price and quality through market forces. Even with only two bidders, the competitive process likely resulted in a more cost-effective outcome than a sole-source award.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are U.S. Department of Defense personnel who utilize the AVCATT system for training. The contract delivered upgraded Helmet Mounted Displays, enhancing the realism and effectiveness of flight simulation training. The geographic impact is likely concentrated at military training facilities where the AVCATT system is deployed. The upgrade supports the readiness and proficiency of aircrews and other personnel requiring advanced simulation training. The contract contributes to the technological advancement of military simulation and training capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited public information on specific performance metrics or challenges encountered during the upgrade.
The exact nature of the 'modification and upgrade' is not detailed, making it hard to assess technical risks.
The competitive landscape for specialized defense simulation hardware can sometimes be concentrated.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a structured procurement process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type generally provides cost certainty for the government.
The contractor, Rockwell Collins, is a well-established entity in the aerospace and defense simulation sector.
The contract was successfully completed within its defined period.

Sector Analysis

The defense simulation and training sector is a critical component of military readiness, involving sophisticated technologies to replicate real-world scenarios. This contract for AVCATT HMD upgrades fits within the broader market for aerospace and defense electronics, specifically focusing on simulation hardware. The market includes companies specializing in virtual reality, augmented reality, and advanced display technologies for training purposes. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for realistic, cost-effective, and safe training environments, often involving significant R&D investment and long product development cycles.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides. The prime contractor, Rockwell Collins, is a large corporation. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may have existed, but details are not provided in the available data. The focus on a specialized, high-value upgrade likely meant the prime contract was awarded to a large, established firm with the necessary expertise and capacity.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Defense, through agencies like the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), provides oversight for contracts. The firm-fixed-price contract structure inherently includes accountability for the contractor to deliver the specified upgrades within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency regarding the specific performance metrics and deliverables of this particular upgrade is limited in the public domain. Inspector General reports could potentially contain relevant information if performance issues arose, but none are indicated here.

Related Government Programs

Defense Simulation and Training Programs
Avionics and Cockpit Systems
Helmet Mounted Displays
Virtual Training Systems
Military Aircraft Simulators

Risk Flags

Limited technical detail on upgrade scope
Lack of specific performance metrics
Potential for concentrated market in specialized defense tech

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $26.3 million to ROCKWELL COLLINS SIMULATION & TRAINING SOLUTIONS LLC. AVCATT HMD MODIFICATION AND UPGRADE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ROCKWELL COLLINS SIMULATION & TRAINING SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-07-26. End: 2011-01-16.

What specific technical upgrades were included in the AVCATT HMD modification?

The provided data does not specify the exact technical upgrades performed on the Helmet Mounted Displays (HMDs) for the Advanced Virtual Cockpit Crew Training (AVCATT) system. Typically, HMD upgrades in simulation environments aim to enhance visual fidelity, improve tracking accuracy, reduce latency, increase field of view, or integrate new functionalities like night vision or augmented reality overlays. Without detailed contract line item numbers (CLINs) or technical exhibits, it's impossible to ascertain the precise nature of the modifications. Rockwell Collins, as the contractor, would have executed these upgrades based on specific military requirements outlined in the contract solicitation.

How did the $26.3 million cost compare to similar HMD upgrade contracts at the time?

Directly comparing the $26.3 million cost of this AVCATT HMD upgrade contract to similar contracts awarded around 2007 is difficult without access to a comprehensive database of defense procurements from that era, including detailed technical scopes and pricing. The market for specialized military simulation hardware, particularly advanced HMDs, can be niche. Factors influencing cost include the complexity of the upgrade, the number of units involved, the specific performance enhancements required, and the level of competition. Given it was a full and open competition, the price achieved reflects the market conditions and the capabilities of the bidders at that time. However, without specific benchmarks, a definitive value assessment is not possible.

What was Rockwell Collins' track record with similar DoD simulation contracts prior to this award?

Rockwell Collins (now part of Collins Aerospace) has a long and established history of providing simulation and training solutions, including avionics and display systems, to the Department of Defense and other military organizations. Prior to the 2007 AVCATT HMD contract, the company was a significant player in developing and integrating complex simulation systems for various aircraft platforms. Their track record likely included numerous contracts for cockpit simulators, training devices, and related electronic systems, demonstrating a strong capability in this specialized field. This extensive experience would have been a key factor in their ability to compete for and successfully execute the AVCATT HMD upgrade.

Were there any reported performance issues or contract disputes related to this AVCATT HMD upgrade?

Based on the publicly available data for this contract (Award Number: N0042107F0118), there is no readily accessible information indicating significant performance issues or contract disputes. The contract was awarded in July 2007 and completed by January 2011, suggesting a successful execution within its timeframe. Defense contract databases and news archives typically highlight major disputes or performance failures. The absence of such reports for this specific contract implies that it likely proceeded without major controversies, meeting the government's requirements as defined in the contract.

How has spending on military simulation and training systems evolved since this contract was awarded?

Spending on military simulation and training systems has generally increased and evolved significantly since the 2007-2011 period of this AVCATT HMD contract. There has been a growing emphasis on leveraging advanced technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and immersive training environments to enhance realism, reduce costs associated with live training, and improve safety. The DoD continues to invest heavily in modernizing its training infrastructure to prepare personnel for complex, multi-domain operations. This includes upgrades to existing systems like AVCATT and the development of entirely new training platforms that incorporate cutting-edge simulation technologies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing › Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: TRAINING AIDS AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (UEI: 962960589)

Address: 22626 SALLY RIDE DR, STERLING, VA, 10

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,269,046

Exercised Options: $26,269,046

Current Obligation: $26,269,046

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W900KK07D0722

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline