DoD's PEO IEW&S awards $48.5M for advanced materials R&D to Alion Science and Technology

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $48,458,823 ($48.5M)

Contractor: Alion Science and Technology Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2014-09-04

End Date: 2016-12-29

Contract Duration: 847 days

Daily Burn Rate: $57.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF TAT 13-0721 "PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR INTELLIGENCE, ELECTRONIC WARFARE AND SENSORS (PEO IEW&S - PROJECT MANAGER FOR INTEGRATED TACTICAL SYSTEMS (PM ITS) ADVANCED MATERIALS, TECHNOLOGIES AND TESTING"

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30332

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $48.5 million to ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF TAT 13-0721 "PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR INTELLIGENCE, ELECTRONIC WARFARE AND SENSORS (PEO IEW&S - PROJECT MANAGER FOR INTEGRATED TACTICAL SYSTEMS (PM ITS) ADVANCED MATERIALS, TECHNOLOGIES AND TESTING" Key points: 1. Spending focused on R&D for intelligence, electronic warfare, and sensors. 2. Alion Science and Technology is the sole awardee. 3. Contract duration was 847 days. 4. The contract type was Cost Plus Fixed Fee. 5. This award falls under the Research and Development sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Without detailed cost breakdowns, it's difficult to assess if the $48.5 million price was competitive for the scope of R&D services provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific awardee is Alion Science and Technology, and the impact of this competition on price discovery is not detailed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for advanced materials research, with the ultimate benefit depending on the successful development and application of these technologies.

Public Impact

Supports advancements in critical defense technologies for intelligence and electronic warfare. Potential for new materials to enhance sensor capabilities and operational effectiveness. Investment in R&D aims to maintain technological superiority for the Air Force.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced materials and technologies for intelligence, electronic warfare, and sensors. Spending benchmarks for this niche R&D area are highly variable and depend on the specific technological advancements sought.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as the awardee is Alion Science and Technology Corporation. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S). Accountability for the $48.5 million expenditure rests on the successful delivery of research outcomes and adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ga, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $48.5 million to ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF TAT 13-0721 "PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR INTELLIGENCE, ELECTRONIC WARFARE AND SENSORS (PEO IEW&S - PROJECT MANAGER FOR INTEGRATED TACTICAL SYSTEMS (PM ITS) ADVANCED MATERIALS, TECHNOLOGIES AND TESTING"

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $48.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-09-04. End: 2016-12-29.

What specific advanced materials and technologies were researched under this contract, and what were the key performance metrics for success?

The contract focused on advanced materials, technologies, and testing for Project Manager for Integrated Tactical Systems (PM ITS) within PEO IEW&S. Specific deliverables likely included research reports, prototypes, and testing data related to enhancing intelligence, electronic warfare, and sensor capabilities. Success metrics would be tied to the feasibility, performance, and potential integration of these new materials into existing or future systems.

How did the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure impact the final cost and the contractor's incentive to control expenses?

The CPFF structure guarantees the contractor's costs plus a fixed fee, potentially reducing the incentive for cost efficiency if not rigorously monitored. While it allows for flexibility in R&D where costs can be unpredictable, it also carries a risk of cost overruns. Effective oversight by the DoD is crucial to ensure costs remain reasonable and aligned with the research objectives.

What is the expected long-term impact of this R&D investment on the Department of Defense's technological capabilities?

This investment aims to bolster the DoD's technological edge in critical areas like intelligence gathering, electronic warfare, and sensor technology. Successful outcomes could lead to improved performance, new functionalities, and enhanced survivability for military systems. The long-term impact hinges on the successful transition of research findings into deployable technologies and their effectiveness in operational environments.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTOTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: FA460005R0010

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10 W 35TH ST, CHICAGO, IL, 60616

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,459,676

Exercised Options: $48,459,676

Current Obligation: $48,458,823

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 53

Total Subaward Amount: $60,345,398

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA460006D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2014-09-04

Current End Date: 2016-12-29

Potential End Date: 2016-12-29 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2021-03-31

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