DoD's $694M NOMADS Contract Awarded to LGS Innovations LLC for Autonomous Systems R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,947,804 ($6.9M)
Contractor: LGS Innovations LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-02-22
End Date: 2027-02-22
Contract Duration: 1,096 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NETWORK CENTRIC ORCHESTRATION OF MULTI-AGENT AUTONOMOUS DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS (NOMADS)
Place of Performance
Location: FLORHAM PARK, MORRIS County, NEW JERSEY, 07932
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $6.9 million to LGS INNOVATIONS LLC for work described as: NETWORK CENTRIC ORCHESTRATION OF MULTI-AGENT AUTONOMOUS DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS (NOMADS) Key points: 1. The contract focuses on advanced research and development in autonomous distributed systems. 2. LGS Innovations LLC, a significant player in defense technology, secured this award. 3. The award falls under the 'Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' NAICS code. 4. This significant investment highlights the DoD's commitment to cutting-edge autonomous capabilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for flexibility in R&D projects but requires careful oversight to manage costs. The award amount of $694.78M over 1096 days suggests a substantial, long-term research effort.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method is generally expected to yield competitive pricing for complex R&D efforts.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being invested in advanced defense technology research, aiming for future strategic advantages and potentially cost savings through enhanced system efficiency.
Public Impact
Advancement in autonomous systems could lead to enhanced military operational capabilities. Investment in R&D fosters technological innovation within the defense sector. Potential for dual-use technologies that could benefit civilian applications. Long-term contract duration suggests a sustained focus on developing complex solutions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- The specific performance metrics and deliverables for this R&D contract need close monitoring.
- Reliance on a single contractor for such a critical R&D area warrants attention to ensure continued innovation.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
- Focus on cutting-edge R&D aligns with future defense needs.
- Significant investment indicates a high priority for autonomous systems development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced physical and engineering sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and developing next-generation defense capabilities.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to LGS Innovations LLC, a company that may or may not be a small business. Further investigation is needed to determine the extent of small business participation as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Air Force will be responsible for overseeing this contract. Given the complexity and duration, robust oversight mechanisms will be critical to ensure successful research outcomes and responsible use of funds.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight.
- Long-term R&D projects carry inherent uncertainty in outcomes.
- Complexity of multi-agent autonomous systems presents significant technical challenges.
- Cybersecurity risks are paramount for distributed autonomous systems.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, nj, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $6.9 million to LGS INNOVATIONS LLC. NETWORK CENTRIC ORCHESTRATION OF MULTI-AGENT AUTONOMOUS DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS (NOMADS)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LGS INNOVATIONS LLC.
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 $6.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-02-22. End: 2027-02-22.
What are the key performance indicators and milestones for the NOMADS program, and how will their achievement be measured to ensure value for money?
The key performance indicators and milestones for the NOMADS program are not detailed in the provided data. However, for a Cost Plus Fixed Fee R&D contract of this magnitude, the Air Force would typically establish specific technical objectives, research phases, and deliverable checkpoints. Measuring achievement would involve rigorous technical reviews, prototype demonstrations, and independent assessments to ensure progress aligns with the program's goals and justifies the investment.
What are the primary risks associated with developing multi-agent autonomous distributed systems, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
Primary risks include technical complexity, integration challenges, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, ethical considerations of autonomous decision-making, and potential for unforeseen research outcomes. Mitigation strategies likely involve phased development, rigorous testing and validation, robust cybersecurity protocols, clear ethical guidelines, and continuous risk assessment throughout the contract lifecycle. The DoD's extensive experience in R&D management should provide a framework for addressing these risks.
How will the successful development of the NOMADS system contribute to the Department of Defense's overall effectiveness and strategic advantage?
The successful development of NOMADS could significantly enhance the DoD's effectiveness by enabling more coordinated, resilient, and adaptive operations across distributed forces. Autonomous systems can reduce human risk in dangerous environments, improve situational awareness, and enable faster decision-making cycles. This could translate into a substantial strategic advantage by providing superior battlefield management and operational flexibility in future conflicts.
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: HR001123S0023
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: CACI International Inc
Address: 15 VREELAND RD STE 1-111, FLORHAM PARK, NJ, 07932
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,269,387
Exercised Options: $10,173,024
Current Obligation: $6,947,804
Actual Outlays: $543,777
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $5,366,243
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-02-22
Current End Date: 2027-02-22
Potential End Date: 2028-08-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-08
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