Department of Defense awarded $30.6M to Advanced Technology International for R&D services over 8 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,654,100 ($30.7M)

Contractor: Advanced Technology International

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2015-06-05

End Date: 2023-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,856 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF MANTECH PROJECTS

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH CHARLESTON, CHARLESTON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29418

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $30.7 million to ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF MANTECH PROJECTS Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in specialized R&D capabilities. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust market for these services. 3. Long contract duration may indicate a need for sustained research efforts. 4. Cost-plus-fixed-fee structure requires careful monitoring of costs to ensure value. 5. The contract's focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D aligns with critical defense modernization needs. 6. Performance period spans nearly a decade, suggesting a long-term strategic objective.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $30.6 million over approximately 8 years averages to roughly $3.8 million annually. This figure appears reasonable for specialized R&D services, especially considering the broad scope of physical, engineering, and life sciences. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D contracts within the Department of Defense would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the annual spend does not immediately suggest overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and encourage innovation. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a healthy level of market interest and engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and better pricing for government services.

Public Impact

The Department of the Navy benefits from access to advanced research and development capabilities. Services delivered likely contribute to the modernization and technological superiority of naval assets. The contract supports research across physical, engineering, and life sciences, potentially impacting various defense applications. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, and technical personnel involved in R&D.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can incentivize cost overruns if not managed diligently.
The long duration of the contract necessitates ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued value and alignment with evolving defense needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive marketplace and potentially better pricing.
The contract supports critical R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences, aligning with strategic defense objectives.
The contractor, Advanced Technology International, is a known entity in supporting government R&D efforts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for defense modernization, where significant government investment is directed towards maintaining technological advantages. The market for such specialized R&D services is competitive, with numerous firms vying for government contracts. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale R&D awards within the Department of Defense and other federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract awarded under full and open competition, it is possible that Advanced Technology International may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific aspects of the R&D work. However, without explicit subcontracting plans or data, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Navy, a component of the Department of Defense. Mechanisms likely include contract performance reviews, financial audits, and milestone tracking. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Contracts
Naval Research and Development Programs
Advanced Technology Development Contracts
Science and Technology Research Funding

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF Contract Type)
Long Contract Duration Requires Sustained Oversight
Uncertainty of R&D Outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $30.7 million to ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL. IGF::CT::IGF MANTECH PROJECTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-06-05. End: 2023-03-31.

What is the specific nature of the R&D projects undertaken under this contract?

The contract specifies 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)' under NAICS code 541712. While the broad categories are defined, the specific projects are not detailed in the provided data. These could range from materials science and advanced manufacturing to sensor technology, artificial intelligence applications in engineering, or biomedical research relevant to military personnel. The nature of R&D often involves iterative development, testing, and refinement of new technologies or scientific understanding to meet evolving defense requirements.

How does the $30.6 million total obligation compare to similar R&D contracts awarded by the Department of the Navy?

The total obligation of $30.6 million over approximately 8 years, averaging around $3.8 million annually, appears to be a moderate to significant investment for specialized R&D. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze a portfolio of similar R&D contracts awarded by the Department of the Navy or the broader Department of Defense. Factors such as the specific scientific domain, contract type (e.g., cost-plus vs. fixed-price), and duration significantly influence contract values. Without a direct benchmark, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents high or low spending relative to peers, but it aligns with the substantial funding typically allocated to advanced defense research.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to assess the success of this contract?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided summary. However, for R&D contracts, success is typically measured by the achievement of research milestones, the successful development and testing of prototypes or technologies, the publication of findings, and the transition of developed technologies into operational systems or further development phases. For a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, adherence to budget projections while achieving technical objectives is also a critical performance metric. The Department of the Navy would establish and monitor these KPIs throughout the contract's lifecycle.

What is Advanced Technology International's track record with similar government R&D contracts?

Advanced Technology International (ATI) has a history of supporting government research and development initiatives, often acting as a consortium management organization or prime contractor for complex R&D efforts. Their experience typically involves managing multiple performers, facilitating collaboration, and overseeing the execution of research projects for agencies like the Department of Defense. While specific project outcomes and performance ratings are not detailed here, ATI's continued engagement in this sector suggests a generally positive track record in managing and delivering on R&D contracts.

What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure for this R&D effort?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure is the potential for cost overruns. While the contractor is incentivized to control costs to achieve their fixed fee, the government bears the risk of increased costs beyond the initial estimate. This necessitates robust oversight from the contracting agency to monitor expenditures, validate costs, and ensure that the work remains within reasonable bounds. For R&D, where outcomes can be uncertain, CPFF can be appropriate to encourage innovation without unduly burdening the contractor, but it requires diligent financial management and performance tracking by the government.

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 › ECONOMIC GROWTH/PRODUCTIVITY R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: N0001414R0004

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Analytic Services Inc.

Address: 5300 INTERNATIONAL BLVD, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC, 29418

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,014,552

Exercised Options: $36,014,552

Current Obligation: $30,654,100

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $726,088

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0001414D0377

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline