DHS Awards $36.9M for Autonomous Surveillance Towers to Anduril Industries
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $36,920,925 ($36.9M)
Contractor: Anduril Industries, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2021-06-07
End Date: 2022-06-07
Contract Duration: 365 days
Daily Burn Rate: $101.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: AUTONOMOUS SURVEILLANCE TOWERS- REPLACEMENT TOWERS/PARTS - DELIVERY ORDER 4
Place of Performance
Location: DEL RIO, VAL VERDE County, TEXAS, 78840
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $36.9 million to ANDURIL INDUSTRIES, INC. for work described as: AUTONOMOUS SURVEILLANCE TOWERS- REPLACEMENT TOWERS/PARTS - DELIVERY ORDER 4 Key points: 1. Significant investment in border security technology. 2. Anduril Industries is a key player in defense tech. 3. Potential for technological obsolescence and integration challenges. 4. IT services sector, specifically systems design.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $36.9M for autonomous surveillance towers appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar advanced surveillance systems is difficult without more detailed specifications, but the price seems within a plausible range for specialized technology.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a limited competition. This approach may have restricted price discovery and potentially led to a higher price than a truly open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced border surveillance technology, aiming to enhance national security. The effectiveness and long-term cost savings of this technology will determine the ultimate taxpayer impact.
Public Impact
Enhances border surveillance capabilities for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Utilizes advanced autonomous technology for monitoring remote areas. Potential impact on privacy concerns related to surveillance. Supports innovation in the defense technology sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may inflate costs.
- Technology integration risks.
- Potential for future maintenance and upgrade costs.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical national security needs.
- Leverages advanced autonomous systems.
- Supports a growing defense technology company.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services. Spending in this area for defense and security applications has been increasing, driven by the need for advanced monitoring and data analysis capabilities.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Anduril Industries, Inc., a large business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this specific award, suggesting limited direct impact on the small business sector for this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Homeland Security, specifically U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Accountability will depend on performance metrics, delivery timelines, and the effectiveness of the deployed surveillance systems.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
- Dependence on a single vendor for specialized technology.
- Potential for rapid technological obsolescence.
- Integration challenges with existing infrastructure.
- Uncertainty regarding long-term operational and maintenance costs.
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-homeland-security, tx, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $36.9 million to ANDURIL INDUSTRIES, INC.. AUTONOMOUS SURVEILLANCE TOWERS- REPLACEMENT TOWERS/PARTS - DELIVERY ORDER 4
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ANDURIL INDUSTRIES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $36.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-06-07. End: 2022-06-07.
What is the long-term cost projection for maintaining and upgrading these autonomous surveillance towers, considering technological advancements?
Long-term cost projections are crucial for understanding the total lifecycle cost of the autonomous surveillance towers. This includes anticipated expenses for software updates, hardware replacements due to wear and tear or obsolescence, and potential integration with future security systems. Without this data, the initial award price may not reflect the true financial commitment over the system's operational lifespan.
How does the performance of these autonomous towers compare to traditional surveillance methods in terms of effectiveness and cost-efficiency?
The effectiveness and cost-efficiency comparison is vital. Autonomous towers promise continuous monitoring and reduced personnel needs, potentially lowering operational costs. However, their effectiveness must be validated against metrics like detection rates, false alarm frequencies, and response times compared to existing systems. A thorough analysis would quantify the return on investment and justify the shift to autonomous technology.
What measures are in place to ensure data privacy and prevent misuse of the surveillance data collected by these autonomous towers?
Robust data privacy and misuse prevention measures are essential. This includes secure data transmission and storage protocols, strict access controls for authorized personnel, and clear guidelines on data usage and retention. Auditing mechanisms to track data access and usage, along with penalties for violations, are necessary to build public trust and ensure compliance with privacy regulations.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2722 MICHELSON DR, IRVINE, CA, 92612
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $36,920,925
Exercised Options: $36,920,925
Current Obligation: $36,920,925
Actual Outlays: $3,031,413
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 70B02C20D00000019
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-06-07
Current End Date: 2022-06-07
Potential End Date: 2022-06-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-10-01
More Contracts from Anduril Industries, Inc.
- Purchase of Towers — $363.0M (Department of Homeland Security)
- Roadrunner, Anvil and Quasar Packages — $250.0M (Department of Defense)
- Production and Delivery of Altius 600M-V Loitering Munitions and Supporting Hardware — $94.0M (Department of Defense)
- AST DO#8 — $67.2M (Department of Homeland Security)
- Award — $50.7M (Department of Homeland Security)
Other Department of Homeland Security Contracts
- THE United States Coast Guard HAS a Requirement to Procure UP to Twenty-Six (26) Fast Response Cutters (frcs) on a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Basis With an Economic Price Adjustment (EPA). Phase II of the FRC Program Will Complete the Fleet for a Total of 58 Cutters — $2.1B (Bollinger Shipyards Lockport, L.L.C.)
- Design and Construct NEW Vertical Barrier and Power Distribution, Lighting, Cameras, Equipment Shelters and Linear Ground Detection System (lgds) in Hildago County, NM — $1.8B (Fisher Sand & Gravel CO)
- Production&delivery of National Security Cutter (NSC) 6 — $1.7B (Huntington Ingalls Incorporated)
- YUM-2 Vertical Border and Waterborne Barrier Construction — $1.7B (Fisher Sand & Gravel CO)
- Construct Vertical Border Barrier — $1.6B (Fisher Sand & Gravel CO)