HII Mission Technologies Corp awarded $71.7M contract for technical analysis supporting Naval Sea Systems Command

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $71,679,738 ($71.7M)

Contractor: HII Mission Technologies Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-05-21

End Date: 2026-05-20

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TECHNICAL ANALYSIS FOR NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND (NAVSEA) DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR SURFACE WARFARE (SEA 21)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20003

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $71.7 million to HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP for work described as: TECHNICAL ANALYSIS FOR NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND (NAVSEA) DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR SURFACE WARFARE (SEA 21) Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in naval warfare technical analysis. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a robust bidding process for this critical support. 3. Performance risk appears moderate given the nature of R&D and technical services. 4. This contract aligns with broader Department of Defense efforts to modernize naval capabilities. 5. The sector focus is on advanced research and development for naval systems. 6. Contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) allows for flexibility in evolving R&D projects.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $71.7 million over five years for technical analysis services appears reasonable when benchmarked against similar large-scale R&D support contracts within the Department of Defense. While specific per-unit cost comparisons are difficult without detailed task breakdowns, the overall award suggests a competitive pricing structure for specialized technical expertise. The fixed fee component provides a degree of cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors were invited to submit proposals. The presence of three bidders (as indicated by 'no': 3) suggests a healthy level of competition for this significant contract. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to more competitive pricing, potentially saving taxpayer dollars compared to sole-source or limited competition awards. It also ensures a wider pool of talent is considered.

Public Impact

Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and its Surface Warfare division (SEA 21) will benefit from enhanced technical analysis capabilities. Services delivered will support the research and development of advanced naval warfare technologies and systems. The geographic impact is primarily centered around NAVSEA's operational areas, with potential for broader defense implications. Workforce implications include the potential for highly skilled engineers, analysts, and technical specialists.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not closely managed.
Ensuring continued innovation and technical advancement throughout the contract duration.
Maintaining clear communication and alignment between contractor and government technical requirements.

Positive Signals

Award to an established entity (HII Mission Technologies Corp) suggests a degree of contractor reliability.
Full and open competition indicates a thorough vetting process for technical capabilities.
Long-term contract duration allows for sustained focus on critical naval R&D objectives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for defense-related R&D is substantial, with significant government investment aimed at maintaining technological superiority. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large-scale technical support and systems engineering contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Defense, NASA, and other federal research entities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large prime contract, HII Mission Technologies Corp may be expected to engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific requirements, contributing to the small business ecosystem. However, the primary awardee is a large corporation, suggesting the direct impact on small business prime contracting opportunities is limited for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) contracting officers and technical representatives. Accountability measures are embedded within the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, requiring detailed reporting and justification of costs. Transparency is facilitated through contract reporting mechanisms, though specific details of technical analysis may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Operations
Surface Warfare Systems Engineering
Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Naval Technology Modernization Initiatives
Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Oversight

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage potential cost escalations.
Scope definition for R&D contracts can evolve, necessitating adaptive management and clear communication.
Reliance on a single prime contractor for critical technical analysis warrants monitoring of performance and capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $71.7 million to HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS FOR NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND (NAVSEA) DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR SURFACE WARFARE (SEA 21)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP.

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 $71.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-21. End: 2026-05-20.

What is the historical spending trend for similar technical analysis contracts awarded by NAVSEA?

Analyzing historical spending for similar technical analysis contracts awarded by NAVSEA requires access to detailed contract databases and filtering by specific service codes and agencies. However, general trends in defense R&D spending indicate a consistent and often increasing allocation towards advanced research and systems engineering to maintain technological superiority. Factors such as geopolitical shifts, emerging threats, and modernization priorities heavily influence these spending patterns. Without specific historical data for this precise contract type and scope, it's challenging to provide a precise trend, but the overall defense budget allocation towards R&D suggests a stable to growing demand for such specialized services.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value or ceiling of the contract?

The provided data indicates an awarded amount ('a') of $71,679,737.61. The contract duration ('dur') is 1825 days (5 years). To compare this to an estimated value or ceiling, we would need additional data points not present in the provided snippet, such as a contract ceiling value or a pre-negotiated estimated cost. The 'br' value of 39277 might represent a base or ceiling value in some internal system, but without explicit definition, it's difficult to ascertain its precise meaning in relation to the awarded amount. Typically, awarded amounts reflect the actual funding obligated at the time of award or for a specific period, while a ceiling represents the maximum the government can spend over the contract's life.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) expected for this contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a contract focused on 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' supporting NAVSEA would likely revolve around the successful completion of technical analyses, the quality and accuracy of research findings, adherence to project timelines, and the effective application of scientific and engineering principles. Specific KPIs might include milestones met for research phases, delivery of technical reports meeting defined standards, successful validation of models or simulations, and contributions to the development or improvement of naval systems. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure also implies KPIs related to cost management and efficient resource utilization, ensuring the project stays within budget parameters while achieving its technical objectives.

What is the track record of HII Mission Technologies Corp in delivering similar R&D services to the DoD?

HII Mission Technologies Corp, a subsidiary of Huntington Ingalls Industries, has a substantial track record in providing a wide array of services to the Department of Defense, including complex engineering, C5ISR, cyber, and unmanned systems solutions. Their experience spans various naval platforms and technologies, aligning well with the requirements of supporting NAVSEA. Publicly available contract data and company profiles indicate numerous awards for research, development, integration, and sustainment services across different branches of the military. Their history suggests a capacity to handle large-scale, technically demanding projects, though specific performance metrics for every contract would require deeper investigation.

Are there any specific technological advancements or naval systems this contract is intended to support?

The contract description 'TECHNICAL ANALYSIS FOR NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND (NAVSEA) DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR SURFACE WARFARE (SEA 21)' and the NAICS code '541715' (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) suggest a broad scope. SEA 21 is responsible for the development, acquisition, and modernization of surface combatants. Therefore, this contract likely supports analysis related to current and future surface warfare platforms, including areas such as combat systems, ship design, propulsion, electronic warfare, and potentially emerging technologies like directed energy or advanced sensors. The specific technological advancements would be detailed in task orders issued under this contract, focusing on enhancing the capabilities and readiness of the Navy's surface fleet.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc

Address: 4021 EXECUTIVE DR, BEAVERCREEK, OH, 45430

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $87,400,908

Exercised Options: $87,400,908

Current Obligation: $71,679,738

Actual Outlays: $156,285

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 19

Total Subaward Amount: $29,815,309

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA807518D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline