State Dept. Awards $5.46M for Armored SUV Prototypes, Utilizing Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,456,731 ($5.5M)
Contractor: Battelle Memorial Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2021-08-18
End Date: 2024-02-29
Contract Duration: 925 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: LARGE SUV COMMERCIAL MODIFICATION SERVICES - DEVELOPMENT OF ARMORED SUV PROTOTYPES FOR US GOVERNMENT USE
Place of Performance
Location: MILFORD, OAKLAND County, MICHIGAN, 48380
State: Michigan Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $5.5 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE for work described as: LARGE SUV COMMERCIAL MODIFICATION SERVICES - DEVELOPMENT OF ARMORED SUV PROTOTYPES FOR US GOVERNMENT USE Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized armored SUV prototype development. 2. Competition method was full and open, suggesting market availability. 3. Risk appears moderate given the specialized nature of the work. 4. Sector is primarily defense/security services, with IT design elements.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $5.46M for prototype development appears reasonable for specialized armored vehicle modifications. Benchmarking against similar defense/security prototype contracts would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of full and open competition indicates that multiple vendors were likely considered, promoting price discovery and potentially leading to a more competitive price. The definitive contract award type suggests a structured procurement process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical government vehicle security enhancements, with competition aiming for efficient allocation.
Public Impact
Enhances security for government personnel operating in potentially hazardous environments. Supports the development of advanced protective vehicle technology. Contributes to the readiness and safety of diplomatic and security missions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in prototype development.
- Long-term sustainment and maintenance costs not detailed.
- Dependence on specific vendor expertise for specialized modifications.
Positive Signals
- Utilizes competitive procurement for best value.
- Addresses critical security needs for government operations.
- Invests in advanced vehicle protection technology.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Industrial Design Services sector, specifically focusing on specialized vehicle modifications for government security applications. Benchmarks for similar prototype development in defense or security sectors would be relevant.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had the opportunity to participate in the competition or subcontract.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of State managed this procurement. Oversight would focus on adherence to contract terms, prototype performance, and budget management throughout the development period.
Related Government Programs
- Industrial Design Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Prototype development complexity
- Potential for scope creep
- Long-term cost implications
- Vendor lock-in risk
Tags
industrial-design-services, department-of-state, mi, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $5.5 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE. LARGE SUV COMMERCIAL MODIFICATION SERVICES - DEVELOPMENT OF ARMORED SUV PROTOTYPES FOR US GOVERNMENT USE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-08-18. End: 2024-02-29.
What is the expected performance and survivability standard for these armored SUV prototypes?
The expected performance and survivability standards for the armored SUV prototypes are crucial for evaluating the contract's value. These standards should align with the specific threats and operational environments the vehicles are intended for. Without detailed specifications, it's difficult to assess if the $5.46M investment will yield the required level of protection and functionality.
What are the key risks associated with the development of custom armored vehicle prototypes?
Key risks include technical challenges in achieving desired protection levels without compromising vehicle dynamics, potential for significant cost overruns due to unforeseen engineering issues, and delays in delivery. Ensuring robust testing and validation protocols are in place is critical to mitigate these risks and ensure the prototypes meet their intended purpose.
How will the effectiveness of these armored SUV prototypes be measured post-development?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through a combination of rigorous ballistic and blast testing against defined threat levels, field trials simulating operational conditions, and assessment of vehicle performance metrics such as maneuverability and payload capacity. User feedback from initial deployments will also be vital in determining the prototypes' real-world effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Specialized Design Services › Industrial Design Services
Product/Service Code: MODIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT › MODIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 19AQMM21R0013
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 505 KING AVE, COLUMBUS, OH, 43201
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,697,693
Exercised Options: $5,697,693
Current Obligation: $5,456,731
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-08-18
Current End Date: 2024-02-29
Potential End Date: 2024-02-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
More Contracts from Battelle Memorial Institute
- Battelle Memorial Institute/Pacific Northwest Laboratory Operating and Managing Contract — $30.2B (Department of Energy)
- Fox/Bio Requirement — $387.6M (Department of Defense)
- Arctic Research Support and Logistics Services (arsls) — $249.0M (National Science Foundation)
- OF the Research Effort to Evaluate the Toxic and Carcinogenic Potential of Test Agents in Laboratory Animals for the NTP — $150.1M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- IAC MAC 2080 Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense Testing and Analytics for Joint Enterprise Fielding and Surveillance — $104.9M (Department of Defense)
Other Department of State Contracts
- Care Logistical Support Services - Clss — $2.3B (Xator LLC)
- Task Order to Provide Project Management Support, Transition Support, Engineering and Design Support, Securing the Infrastructure Support and O&M Support for the Department's IT Consolidation Program — $2.1B (Science Applications International Corporation)
- Global Security Engineering&supply Chain Services — $1.5B (General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.)
- Slmaqm04c0030 — $1.2B (Dyncorp International LLC)
- THE Purpose of This Action IS to Establish a NEW Contract With General Dynamics Information Technology for Global Supply Chain Management, Logistics and Technology Development Services to Support the Department of State. the Initial Funding Associated With This Contract IS $22,304,578.00. the Overall Contract Value IS $2,200,000,000.00 — $1.2B (General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.)