DoD awards $46.7M for Nanotechnology, Neuromorphic, and Quantum Computing R&D to Alion Science and Technology
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $46,660,237 ($46.7M)
Contractor: Alion Science and Technology Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2014-09-29
End Date: 2016-12-29
Contract Duration: 822 days
Daily Burn Rate: $56.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF TAT 14-1018 "ADVANCED PROCESSES FOR PERSISTENT COMMUNICATIONS WITHIN THE FIELD OF NANOTECHNOLOGY, NEUROMORPHIC, AND QUANTUM COMPUTING"
Place of Performance
Location: BURR RIDGE, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60527
State: Illinois Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $46.7 million to ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF TAT 14-1018 "ADVANCED PROCESSES FOR PERSISTENT COMMUNICATIONS WITHIN THE FIELD OF NANOTECHNOLOGY, NEUROMORPHIC, AND QUANTUM COMPUTING" Key points: 1. Contract awarded for advanced R&D in cutting-edge tech fields. 2. Alion Science and Technology Corporation is the sole awardee. 3. Significant investment in emerging technologies with potential long-term impact. 4. Focus on R&D suggests high innovation potential but also inherent risks.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult due to the specialized R&D nature.
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 award is a delivery order, implying it might be part of a larger IDIQ or contract vehicle.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting advanced research with potential future benefits, but the cost-effectiveness of R&D is inherently uncertain.
Public Impact
Investment in foundational technologies for future national security and economic competitiveness. Potential for breakthroughs in computing and communication capabilities. Supports the advancement of the U.S. technological industrial base.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can be prone to cost growth.
- R&D projects have inherent uncertainty and may not yield desired results.
- Sole awardee for a delivery order may warrant scrutiny of the underlying contract.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical emerging technology areas.
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Long-term duration suggests sustained effort.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority but is characterized by high risk and long development cycles.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee is a large corporation. There is no direct indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates close monitoring of costs and progress to ensure value for taxpayer money.
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.
- High inherent risk in R&D projects.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Potential for cost overruns without stringent oversight.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, il, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $46.7 million to ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. IGF::CT::IGF TAT 14-1018 "ADVANCED PROCESSES FOR PERSISTENT COMMUNICATIONS WITHIN THE FIELD OF NANOTECHNOLOGY, NEUROMORPHIC, AND QUANTUM COMPUTING"
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 (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $46.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-09-29. End: 2016-12-29.
What specific milestones or deliverables were defined in the contract to measure progress and ensure value realization for the R&D investment?
The contract details do not specify the exact milestones or deliverables. For R&D contracts, these often include technical reports, prototypes, or demonstrations of new capabilities. Effective oversight would involve tracking progress against these defined objectives to ensure the $46.7 million investment is yielding tangible advancements in nanotechnology, neuromorphic, and quantum computing.
Given the specialized nature of the R&D, how was the technical approach and proposed cost structure evaluated to ensure it was reasonable and achievable?
While awarded under full and open competition, the evaluation process for specialized R&D is critical. The government likely assessed the technical merit of Alion's proposed approach, the qualifications of their research team, and the reasonableness of the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure. Benchmarking against similar R&D efforts, though challenging, would be essential to validate the proposed budget.
What are the potential long-term implications for national security or technological leadership if this R&D effort is successful or unsuccessful?
Success in these advanced fields could significantly enhance national security through superior communication, computing, and sensing capabilities, providing a strategic advantage. Conversely, failure or delays could cede ground to adversaries investing in similar technologies. The $46.7 million investment aims to mitigate this risk by fostering domestic innovation and expertise in critical future technologies.
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: $49,974,800
Exercised Options: $49,974,800
Current Obligation: $46,660,237
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 51
Total Subaward Amount: $30,953,951
Contract Characteristics
Consolidated Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA460006D0003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-09-29
Current End Date: 2016-12-29
Potential End Date: 2016-12-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-03-31
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