DoD's $94.4M R&D Contract for Aircraft Management Support Awarded to Anteon Corporation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,383,564 ($10.4M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2004-12-20
End Date: 2010-07-31
Contract Duration: 2,049 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: 200506!001053!5700!FA8650!DET 1 AFRL/PK !FA865004D5710 !A!N! !Y!0004 ! !20041220!20090929!944325570!067641597!099312725!N!ANTEON CORPORATION !5100 SPRINGFIELD PIKE !DAYTON !OH!45431!99057!057!39!GREENE !GREENE !OHIO !+000001980000!N!N!000000000000!AC16!RDTE/AIRCRAFT-MANAGEMENT SUPPORT !A1C!OTHER AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT !000 !* !541710!E! !3!B!M! !A!D!20080929!B!A! !A! !A!N!U!2!007!E! !Z!Y!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !Z!Z!A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! !Y! ! !0001! !
Place of Performance
Location: DAYTON, MONTGOMERY County, OHIO, 45431
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $10.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: 200506!001053!5700!FA8650!DET 1 AFRL/PK !FA865004D5710 !A!N! !Y!0004 ! !20041220!20090929!944325570!067641597!099312725!N!ANTEON CORPORATION !5100 SPRINGFIELD PIKE !DAYTON !OH!45431!99057!057!39!GREENE !GREE… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a potentially competitive process. 3. The contract duration is over 6 years, suggesting a long-term project. 4. The sector is Defense, with a focus on aircraft management support. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value is $94.4 million over approximately 6 years. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in the defense sector is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns, but the per-year average is around $15.7 million.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This suggests that while competition was sought, certain sources may have been excluded, potentially impacting the breadth of price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The total value of $94.4 million represents taxpayer investment in advanced aircraft management R&D. The effectiveness of this spending depends on the successful development of the supported technologies.
Public Impact
Advancement in aircraft management technologies could lead to improved operational efficiency and safety for the Air Force. Investment in R&D supports the defense industrial base and fosters innovation within the aerospace sector. The long contract duration implies a sustained commitment to research and development in this critical area. Potential for job creation within the defense R&D sector, particularly in Ohio where the contractor is located.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractor spending without strict cost controls.
- The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method warrants further investigation to ensure fairness.
- Long contract durations can sometimes lead to scope creep or outdated technology if not actively managed.
Positive Signals
- Focus on R&D indicates investment in future capabilities.
- Full and open competition, even with exclusions, suggests an attempt to leverage market capabilities.
- The contract supports a critical defense function: aircraft management.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically focusing on Research and Development for aircraft management support. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and operational effectiveness. Benchmarks for R&D contracts vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication in the provided data that small businesses were involved as prime contractors or significant subcontractors on this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine any subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Defense through the Air Force Research Laboratory. Oversight would typically involve contract management by the Defense Contract Management Agency to ensure compliance with terms and conditions, including cost tracking and performance milestones.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
- Competition method ('exclusion of sources') may limit full market potential.
- Long contract duration (over 6 years) increases risk of scope creep or technological obsolescence.
- Lack of explicit small business participation noted in the data.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, oh, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $10.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. 200506!001053!5700!FA8650!DET 1 AFRL/PK !FA865004D5710 !A!N! !Y!0004 ! !20041220!20090929!944325570!067641597!099312725!N!ANTEON CORPORATION !5100 SPRINGFIELD PIKE !DAYTON !OH!45431!99057!057!39!GREENE !GREENE !OHIO !+000001980000!N!N!000000000000!AC16!RDTE/AIRCRAFT-MANAGEMENT SUPPORT !A1C!OTHER AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT !000 !* !541710!E! !3!B!M! !A!D!200
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, 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 $10.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-12-20. End: 2010-07-31.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this $94.4 million R&D investment, and how will their success be measured?
The contract focuses on 'RDTE/AIRCRAFT-MANAGEMENT SUPPORT' and 'OTHER AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT.' Specific advancements would likely include improved avionics, data processing, communication systems, or operational software for aircraft management. Success metrics would typically involve technical performance reviews, prototype demonstrations, and achievement of specified operational capabilities, ensuring the R&D yields tangible improvements in efficiency, safety, or mission effectiveness.
Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, what mechanisms are in place to control costs and prevent potential overruns?
CPFF contracts provide the contractor with a cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee. To control costs, the government relies on robust oversight from the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), including regular audits, performance monitoring, and review of incurred costs. Clear baseline requirements, defined milestones, and strong negotiation of the fixed fee are also critical to mitigating overrun risks and ensuring value for taxpayer money.
How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' approach impact the overall value and innovation achieved compared to unrestricted full and open competition?
Excluding certain sources, even in a full and open competition, can limit the pool of potential offerors and potentially reduce the competitive pressure on pricing and innovation. While it might be used for specific technical reasons or to leverage existing relationships, it could inadvertently exclude highly capable firms. The impact on value and innovation depends on the justification for the exclusion and whether the remaining competition was sufficiently robust to drive optimal outcomes.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)
Address: 5100 SPRINGFIELD PIKE, DAYTON, OH, 10
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA865004D5710
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-12-20
Current End Date: 2010-07-31
Potential End Date: 2010-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-09-17
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