DoD awards $2.36M for RF seeker R&D to Science Applications International Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,356,668 ($2.4M)
Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2022-09-23
End Date: 2027-09-23
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: RADIO FREQUENCY SEEKER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Place of Performance
Location: WILLISTON, CHITTENDEN County, VERMONT, 05495
State: Vermont Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $2.4 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: RADIO FREQUENCY SEEKER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced research and development in physical sciences. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can shift risk to the government. 4. Performance period spans over 5 years, indicating a long-term need. 5. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code points to R&D services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.36 million for R&D services is moderate. Without specific benchmarks for RF seeker R&D, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type means the government pays actual costs plus a fixed fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. This structure is common for R&D where final costs are uncertain, but it requires robust oversight to ensure efficiency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a reasonable opportunity for multiple companies to vie for the work.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions, maximizing the value of federal investment.
Public Impact
The Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force, benefits from advancements in radio frequency seeker technology. This contract supports research and development activities, potentially leading to improved defense capabilities. The geographic impact is primarily within the contractor's operational areas, with potential for broader defense applications. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, and technical staff involved in R&D.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- CPFF contract type can incentivize contractor to incur costs without direct link to efficiency.
- Long performance period may require sustained oversight to ensure continued alignment with evolving needs.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it hard to gauge progress.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition suggests a robust market engagement.
- Award to an established contractor like Science Applications International Corporation may indicate reliability.
- Focus on R&D aligns with the need for technological advancement in defense.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for defense R&D is substantial, driven by national security needs and technological competition. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other DoD contracts for similar R&D efforts in advanced electronics and sensor technology.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Science Applications International Corporation is a large business. There is no information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this specific delivery order, which could represent missed opportunities for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program management office within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures would be tied to the Cost Plus Fixed Fee terms, requiring detailed cost reporting and justification. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases, though specific R&D progress reports may be sensitive.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Research and Development Contracts
- Air Force Science and Technology Programs
- Radio Frequency Technology Development
- Advanced Sensor Systems Research
Risk Flags
- Cost Overruns Risk (CPFF)
- Scope Creep Risk (R&D)
- Technology Maturation Risk
- Supplier Dependency Risk
Tags
department-of-defense, air-force, research-and-development, radio-frequency, seeker-technology, science-applications-international-corporation, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, vermont, physical-engineering-life-sciences
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $2.4 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. RADIO FREQUENCY SEEKER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.
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 $2.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-23. End: 2027-09-23.
What is the track record of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) with DoD R&D contracts?
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has a significant track record with the Department of Defense (DoD) across various R&D and support services. They are a major defense contractor frequently awarded contracts for systems engineering, integration, and advanced technology development. SAIC has consistently secured large-value contracts, demonstrating their capacity to handle complex projects. Their history includes work on numerous platforms and technologies relevant to national security. Analyzing their past performance on similar CPFF R&D contracts would provide further insight into their ability to manage costs and deliver results effectively within the specified research areas.
How does the $2.36 million value compare to similar RF seeker R&D efforts?
The $2.36 million award for RF seeker R&D is a moderate sum for a multi-year research initiative. However, direct comparisons are challenging without access to a comprehensive database of similar, publicly disclosed R&D contracts. The scope and specific objectives of the research significantly influence cost. Contracts for basic research might be smaller, while those involving prototype development or advanced testing could be substantially larger. Given the 5-year duration, this value suggests a focused research effort rather than a full-scale development program. Benchmarking would ideally involve looking at other Air Force or DoD contracts awarded under NAICS code 541715 for similar technological domains.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D?
The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D, like this one, center on cost control and potential for contractor inefficiency. In a CPFF structure, the government reimburses the contractor for all allowable costs incurred and pays a predetermined fixed fee. This means the government bears the financial risk if costs escalate beyond initial estimates. Contractors may have less incentive to control costs aggressively since their fee is fixed regardless of the final cost. For R&D, where outcomes and costs are inherently uncertain, this structure requires stringent government oversight, detailed cost tracking, and robust auditing to ensure that funds are used efficiently and effectively towards achieving the research objectives.
How does the 'full and open competition' impact the value received by the government?
Full and open competition is designed to maximize value for the government by fostering a competitive environment. When multiple qualified vendors can bid on a contract, it theoretically drives down prices and encourages innovation as companies strive to offer the best technical solution at the most competitive cost. For taxpayers, this means a higher likelihood that the $2.36 million allocated for RF seeker R&D is being spent efficiently. The process allows the government to select the offer that represents the best overall value, considering both technical merit and price, rather than being limited to a single source or a restricted pool of bidders.
What is the significance of the NAICS code 541715 for this contract?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology),' precisely categorizes the nature of the work being performed. This code indicates that the contract is for scientific inquiry and experimentation aimed at discovering or interpreting facts, principles, or theories for application to the development of new or improved products or processes. For this specific contract, it confirms the focus is on fundamental and applied research within the physical and engineering sciences related to radio frequency seekers, distinguishing it from other types of R&D or services.
What are the potential implications of this R&D award for future defense capabilities?
This R&D award has the potential to significantly impact future defense capabilities by advancing the technology underlying radio frequency (RF) seekers. RF seekers are critical components in many guided munitions and surveillance systems, enabling targets to be detected and tracked using radio waves. Improvements in RF seeker technology could lead to enhanced target acquisition, greater accuracy, improved performance in adverse weather or electronic countermeasures, and potentially the development of entirely new classes of defense systems. Successful research could provide the U.S. Air Force with a technological edge, contributing to overall national security and maintaining military superiority.
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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: FA865121S0001
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 12010 SUNSET HILLS RD, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,951,011
Exercised Options: $4,951,011
Current Obligation: $2,356,668
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 11
Total Subaward Amount: $1,378,167
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA865122D1001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-23
Current End Date: 2027-09-23
Potential End Date: 2027-09-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-05
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