DoD's $44.6M R&D contract for vehicle materials science awarded to Alion Science and Technology
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $44,645,025 ($44.6M)
Contractor: Alion Science and Technology Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2014-06-30
End Date: 2016-12-29
Contract Duration: 913 days
Daily Burn Rate: $48.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF NEW ORDER FOR TAT 14-0804 "MILITARY GROUND VEHICLE MATERIALS AND PROCESSES SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, TESTING, AND EVALUATION"
Place of Performance
Location: BURR RIDGE, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60527
State: Illinois Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $44.6 million to ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF NEW ORDER FOR TAT 14-0804 "MILITARY GROUND VEHICLE MATERIALS AND PROCESSES SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, TESTING, AND EVALUATION" Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 913 days indicates a medium-term research and development effort. 3. Alion Science and Technology, the contractor, has a track record in defense-related research. 4. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) is common for R&D but can carry cost overrun risks. 5. The award amount of $44.6M falls within a typical range for specialized R&D services. 6. This contract supports advancements in military ground vehicle materials and processes. 7. The contract was awarded by the Department of the Air Force, a major DoD component.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of $44.6 million for a 913-day R&D effort appears reasonable for specialized scientific services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for materials science and engineering support within the Department of Defense would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while allowing flexibility for R&D, necessitates careful oversight to manage costs effectively. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The use of full and open competition suggests the government sought the best available solution and price from the widest possible pool of qualified contractors.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at a competitive price, maximizing the value of federal funds.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and the U.S. military, who will receive advancements in ground vehicle technology. Services delivered include research, engineering, testing, and evaluation related to materials and processes for military ground vehicles. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, where the research and development activities will likely take place. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff at Alion Science and Technology and potentially its subcontractors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost overruns are a potential risk with Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts, requiring diligent oversight.
- The specific technical outcomes and their direct applicability to fielded systems may vary in R&D efforts.
- Dependence on a single contractor for specialized R&D can create long-term reliance.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair selection process.
- The contract addresses critical areas of military vehicle performance and durability.
- Alion Science and Technology has experience in defense research, indicating a level of established capability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for defense R&D is characterized by significant government investment, driven by the need for technological superiority. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other DoD contracts for materials science, vehicle engineering, and testing services, which often range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars depending on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As it was awarded via full and open competition, there is no explicit requirement for subcontracting to small businesses unless voluntarily pursued by the prime contractor. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on Alion's subcontracting practices.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures are inherent in the CPFF contract structure, requiring the contractor to justify costs incurred. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed R&D progress reports are often considered sensitive.
Related Government Programs
- Military Ground Vehicle Modernization Programs
- Advanced Materials Research
- Defense Science and Technology Strategy
- Department of Defense Research and Development Budget
Risk Flags
- Cost Control Risk (CPFF)
- R&D Outcome Uncertainty
- Contractor Performance Monitoring
Tags
department-of-defense, department-of-the-air-force, research-and-development, materials-science, vehicle-engineering, testing-and-evaluation, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, aljon-science-and-technology-corporation, illinois, medium-term-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $44.6 million to ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF NEW ORDER FOR TAT 14-0804 "MILITARY GROUND VEHICLE MATERIALS AND PROCESSES SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, TESTING, AND EVALUATION"
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 $44.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-06-30. End: 2016-12-29.
What is Alion Science and Technology Corporation's track record with the Department of Defense, particularly in R&D contracts?
Alion Science and Technology Corporation has a significant history of contracting with the Department of Defense across various research, development, and engineering services. Their portfolio often includes work in areas such as advanced materials, systems engineering, simulation and modeling, and testing and evaluation. Prior contracts have supported numerous military branches and defense agencies, demonstrating a broad capability. Analyzing their past performance on similar R&D contracts, including any past performance issues or commendations, would provide further insight into their reliability and expertise in executing complex scientific endeavors like the IGF NEW ORDER FOR TAT 14-0804.
How does the $44.6 million award compare to other R&D contracts for vehicle materials and processes?
The $44.6 million award for a 913-day contract focused on military ground vehicle materials and processes science, engineering, testing, and evaluation is within a common range for specialized R&D efforts within the Department of Defense. Larger, multi-year programs or those involving extensive prototyping and testing could easily exceed this amount, while smaller, more focused research tasks might be awarded for less. The specific nature of 'materials and processes science, engineering, testing, and evaluation' suggests a need for specialized expertise and facilities, justifying the investment. Benchmarking against contracts with similar scope, duration, and technical focus would be necessary for a precise comparison.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D?
The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, like the one awarded to Alion Science and Technology, revolve around cost control and contractor incentives. While CPFF allows for flexibility in R&D where exact costs are difficult to predict, it can incentivize the contractor to incur higher costs to increase the fixed fee base (if not structured carefully) or to maximize profit. For the government, the risk is that the total cost of the contract could exceed initial estimates, requiring careful monitoring and robust oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract. The fixed fee provides the contractor with a guaranteed profit margin, but the 'cost plus' portion means the government bears the brunt of unforeseen expenses.
What is the expected program effectiveness or outcome of this contract?
The expected program effectiveness of this contract is to advance the science, engineering, testing, and evaluation of materials and processes specifically for military ground vehicles. This could lead to the development of lighter, stronger, more durable, or more cost-effective materials, improved manufacturing processes, and enhanced testing methodologies. The ultimate outcome is intended to be improved performance, survivability, and operational readiness of military ground vehicles. However, as this is a research and development contract, the direct translation of findings into fielded systems is not guaranteed and depends on subsequent development, testing, and procurement phases.
What have been the historical spending patterns for similar R&D services within the Department of the Air Force?
Historical spending patterns for similar R&D services within the Department of the Air Force show a consistent and substantial investment in scientific and technical research. The Air Force, like other branches of the DoD, dedicates significant portions of its budget to R&D to maintain technological superiority. Spending in areas like materials science, aerospace engineering, and advanced manufacturing can fluctuate annually based on strategic priorities and specific program needs. Contracts for these services often range from a few million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scale and duration. Analyzing specific R&D directorates or program executive offices within the Air Force would reveal more granular spending trends.
What does the 'IL' (Illinois) designation signify in the contract data?
The 'IL' designation in the contract data, alongside 'ILLINOIS', likely indicates the state where the contractor, Alion Science and Technology Corporation, has a significant presence, a facility involved in performing the contract, or where the contract was administratively managed or registered. Many large government contractors operate facilities across multiple states. Without further context from the data source, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact significance, but it often relates to the contractor's operational footprint or the location of contract performance.
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 › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: FA460005R0010
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: $47,434,492
Exercised Options: $47,434,492
Current Obligation: $44,645,025
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 56
Total Subaward Amount: $32,081,821
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: 2014-06-30
Current End Date: 2016-12-29
Potential End Date: 2016-12-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-03-31
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