Teledyne Brown Engineering received $113.6M for missile and space systems R&D, with a significant portion for ballistic missile defense
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $53,236,433 ($53.2M)
Contractor: Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2000-07-11
End Date: 2002-11-26
Contract Duration: 868 days
Daily Burn Rate: $61.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: 200010!2100!001320!SG60 !USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !DASG6000C0054 !A!*!* !20000711!20050711!113633189!113633189!112358432!N!14925!TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING INC!300 SPARKMAN DR NW !HUNTSVILLE !AL!35805!37000!089!01!HUNTSVILLE !MADISON !ALABAMA !0001!+000000345000!N!N!000000000000!AC23!RDTE/MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS-ADV TECH DEV !A2 !MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS !1CAA!BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYS !8731!3!*!*!*!B!A!*!D !N!V!1!001!N!1B!Z!N!Z!* !* !N!C!*!A!A!A!A!A!A!* !*!N!A!D!N!*!*!*!*!*!
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35805, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $53.2 million to TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, INC. for work described as: 200010!2100!001320!SG60 !USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !DASG6000C0054 !A!*!* !20000711!20050711!113633189!113633189!112358432!N!14925!TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING INC!300 SPARKMAN DR NW !HUNTSVILLE !AL!35805!37000!089!01!HUNTSVILLE !MAD… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for advanced technology development in missile and space systems. 2. Focus on ballistic missile defense systems indicates a critical national security component. 3. Contract duration of 868 days suggests a substantial, multi-year development effort. 4. Awarded as a sole-source contract, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies. 5. The contractor has a history of work in missile and space systems. 6. Significant portion of the contract value allocated to research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDTE).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $113.6 million for approximately 2.4 years of work appears within a reasonable range for advanced R&D in the defense sector. However, without specific benchmarks for similar sole-source contracts for ballistic missile defense system development, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The cost-plus incentive fee structure suggests an attempt to control costs, but the final price could vary.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when urgency dictates a rapid award. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a bidding process that could have potentially driven down prices or fostered innovation through diverse proposals.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to ensure the lowest possible price.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and national security interests through the advancement of ballistic missile defense capabilities. Services delivered include research, development, testing, and evaluation of advanced technologies for missile and space systems. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, with potential implications for the Huntsville, Alabama region where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include employment for engineers, scientists, and technical staff involved in advanced defense R&D.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure, potentially impacting cost-effectiveness.
- Cost-plus incentive fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- Lack of public detail on specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess program effectiveness.
- The specific technologies developed are classified, limiting public understanding of the contract's full scope and impact.
Positive Signals
- Contractor has specialized expertise in missile and space systems, suggesting capability for the task.
- Focus on ballistic missile defense addresses a critical national security need.
- The contract is for advanced technology development, aiming to enhance future defense capabilities.
- The incentive fee structure aims to align contractor performance with government objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on advanced technologies for defense applications. The market for ballistic missile defense systems is highly specialized and dominated by a few large defense contractors. Spending in this area is driven by national security priorities and technological advancements. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to ascertain due to the classified nature of many R&D projects in this domain.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of advanced ballistic missile defense R&D, it is likely that the prime contractor, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc., possesses unique capabilities. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but their extent and nature are not detailed in the provided data. The focus on a prime contractor with specialized expertise may limit direct opportunities for small businesses in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Army, under the purview of the Department of Defense. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms of the Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contract, focusing on meeting performance milestones and managing costs. Transparency is limited due to the classified nature of the R&D, but contract awards and basic details are generally available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Programs
- Advanced Technology Development Contracts
- Ballistic Missile Defense Systems
- Space Systems Research
- Defense Research and Development
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award may limit cost savings.
- Cost-plus contracts carry inherent risk of cost escalation.
- Limited public information on specific performance metrics.
- Classified nature of R&D restricts transparency.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, army, r&d, sole-source, cost-plus-incentive-fee, missile-defense, space-systems, advanced-technology, alabama, huntsville, rdte
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $53.2 million to TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, INC.. 200010!2100!001320!SG60 !USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !DASG6000C0054 !A!*!* !20000711!20050711!113633189!113633189!112358432!N!14925!TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING INC!300 SPARKMAN DR NW !HUNTSVILLE !AL!35805!37000!089!01!HUNTSVILLE !MADISON !ALABAMA !0001!+000000345000!N!N!000000000000!AC23!RDTE/MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS-ADV TECH DEV !A2 !MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS !1CAA!BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYS !8731!3!*!*!*!B!A!*!D !N!V!
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $53.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2000-07-11. End: 2002-11-26.
What is Teledyne Brown Engineering's track record with sole-source defense contracts, particularly in missile defense R&D?
Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. has a significant history of working with the Department of Defense, including contracts related to missile defense and space systems. While this specific award is sole-source, the company has experience with various contract types and agencies. Analyzing their past performance on similar sole-source awards, if publicly available, would provide further insight into their ability to deliver on complex R&D projects within budget and schedule. Their established presence in Huntsville, Alabama, a hub for aerospace and defense, suggests a deep integration within the defense industrial base, which often leads to sole-source justifications based on unique capabilities and existing infrastructure.
How does the $113.6 million contract value compare to similar sole-source R&D contracts for ballistic missile defense systems?
Direct comparison of this $113.6 million contract value to similar sole-source R&D contracts for ballistic missile defense systems is challenging due to the proprietary and often classified nature of such procurements. However, in the context of advanced defense R&D, this figure represents a substantial investment. Contracts for developing cutting-edge technologies in areas like missile defense can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scope, complexity, and duration. The sole-source nature implies that the government identified Teledyne Brown Engineering as the only viable source, potentially due to specialized intellectual property, existing system knowledge, or urgent national security requirements. Without access to detailed cost breakdowns and competitive analyses of other similar sole-source awards, it's difficult to definitively benchmark the value.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and risk mitigation strategies associated with this contract?
The provided data does not explicitly detail the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or specific risk mitigation strategies for this contract. However, as a Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contract, performance is likely tied to achieving specific technical milestones, delivery schedules, and cost targets. The 'incentive' component suggests that the contractor will be rewarded for exceeding performance expectations or penalized for falling short. Risk mitigation would typically involve rigorous project management, regular technical reviews, and contingency planning for potential technical challenges or delays inherent in advanced R&D. Given the sole-source nature, the government's oversight and monitoring of contractor progress would be critical to ensuring successful outcomes and managing program risks.
What is the historical spending trend for Teledyne Brown Engineering on missile and space systems R&D contracts with the DoD?
Historical spending data for Teledyne Brown Engineering on missile and space systems R&D contracts with the Department of Defense (DoD) indicates a consistent engagement in this sector. While the specific total amount varies year-to-year based on awarded contracts, the company has regularly secured funding for research, development, and support services related to advanced defense technologies. This $113.6 million contract is a significant award, but it aligns with the company's established role as a key contractor in areas such as missile defense, space systems, and advanced engineering. Analyzing broader federal procurement databases would reveal a pattern of substantial, multi-year investments in these capabilities, underscoring Teledyne Brown Engineering's ongoing contribution to the DoD's R&D efforts.
How does the 'AC23' Product/Service Code relate to the contract's objective of developing advanced missile and space systems?
The Product/Service Code (PSC) 'AC23' typically falls under the category of 'Defense-Related Government Support Services' or 'Research and Development'. Specifically, within the context of 'AC' codes, it often relates to scientific research services and advanced technology development. For this contract, 'AC23' signifies that the core of the work involves scientific research and experimental development aimed at creating new technologies or improving existing ones within the missile and space systems domain. This aligns directly with the contract's stated purpose of 'RDTE/MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS-ADV TECH DEV', indicating that the funding is intended for the foundational research and early-stage development necessary to advance capabilities in these critical defense areas.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE (V)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (UEI: 112358432)
Address: 300 SPARKMAN DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35805
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2000-07-11
Current End Date: 2002-11-26
Potential End Date: 2008-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-10-07
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