DoD Awards $18.6M for RTTC Environmental Test Support to AI Signal Research Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,635,416 ($18.6M)
Contractor: AI Signal Research Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-08-24
End Date: 2011-09-03
Contract Duration: 740 days
Daily Burn Rate: $25.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: REDSTONE TECHNICAL TEST CENTER (RTTC) ENVIRONMENTAL TEST DIVISION SUPPORT OPERATION
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35898
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $18.6 million to AI SIGNAL RESEARCH INC for work described as: REDSTONE TECHNICAL TEST CENTER (RTTC) ENVIRONMENTAL TEST DIVISION SUPPORT OPERATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded to AI Signal Research Inc. for environmental test support. 2. Spending falls within the Research and Development sector. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee. 5. The contract duration is 740 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D support contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process was intended. The specific exclusion of sources needs further review to understand its impact on price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential R&D support services, with competition aiming for best value.
Public Impact
Supports critical environmental testing for the Redstone Technical Test Center. Ensures continued operational readiness and technological advancement for the Army. AI Signal Research Inc. provides specialized technical services. Contract duration of approximately two years.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Exclusion of sources in competition requires justification.
- Limited contract duration may impact long-term support continuity.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports critical R&D functions.
- Contract value is moderate for specialized support.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically R&D in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation and maintaining technological superiority, with contract values varying widely based on project scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the Department of the Army contracting and program management offices to ensure performance and cost control, especially given the CPFF contract type.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
- Lack of transparency regarding source exclusion justification.
- Limited contract duration may lead to follow-on contract costs.
- Need for detailed cost performance reports.
- Ensuring alignment with evolving R&D requirements.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, al, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $18.6 million to AI SIGNAL RESEARCH INC. REDSTONE TECHNICAL TEST CENTER (RTTC) ENVIRONMENTAL TEST DIVISION SUPPORT OPERATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AI SIGNAL RESEARCH 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 $18.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-08-24. End: 2011-09-03.
What specific environmental testing services are being provided, and how do they align with current DoD priorities?
The contract supports the Redstone Technical Test Center (RTTC) Environmental Test Division. While specific services aren't detailed, they likely encompass testing of equipment and systems under various environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, vibration, etc.) crucial for ensuring military hardware reliability and performance in diverse operational theaters.
What was the justification for excluding specific sources during the full and open competition process?
The justification for excluding sources under a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award is critical. Typically, this requires demonstrating that only specific sources can meet the requirement due to unique capabilities, proprietary data, or urgent needs. Without this justification, it raises questions about the true competitiveness and potential for better pricing.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure impact the government's ability to control costs for these R&D support services?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure provides the contractor with reimbursement for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. While the fee is fixed, the overall cost can escalate if allowable costs increase. Effective oversight is paramount to scrutinize costs and ensure they are reasonable and allocable to the contract to prevent uncontrolled spending.
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 › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3411 TRIANA BLVD SW, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35805
Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,635,416
Exercised Options: $18,635,416
Current Obligation: $18,635,416
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W31P4Q06D0032
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-08-24
Current End Date: 2011-09-03
Potential End Date: 2011-09-03 12:09:00
Last Modified: 2016-11-21
More Contracts from AI Signal Research Inc
- Customer and Employee Relations (caer) Directorate Support Services — $44.1M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Professional Services — $41.7M (Department of Defense)
- Engingeering and Test Support Services - Igf::ot::igf — $39.5M (General Services Administration)
- Potomac River Test Range Support — $37.4M (Department of Defense)
- Order Period 5 for General Test Support — $30.6M (Department of Defense)
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)