DoD's $41M R&D Contract for EAGLE Platform Awarded to Orbital Sciences LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $41,010,217 ($41.0M)
Contractor: Orbital Sciences LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2012-08-24
End Date: 2019-10-30
Contract Duration: 2,623 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: EAGLE PLATFORM
Place of Performance
Location: STERLING, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20166
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $41.0 million to ORBITAL SCIENCES LLC for work described as: EAGLE PLATFORM Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $41,010,217, is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is 2623 days, spanning from August 2012 to October 2019. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 5. The primary agency is the Department of Defense, with the Air Force as the specific service.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type allows for reimbursement of costs plus a fixed fee. Without detailed cost breakdowns and performance metrics, it's difficult to assess if the $41M represents excellent value. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is challenging due to the specialized nature of the work.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple bidders participated. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing, though the specific outcome for this R&D contract isn't detailed.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for this R&D effort. The value for money depends on the successful development and application of the EAGLE platform.
Public Impact
The EAGLE platform's development could lead to advancements in defense capabilities. Research and Development spending by the DoD directly impacts technological innovation. The long contract duration suggests a complex and potentially high-impact project. The specific outcomes and benefits of the EAGLE platform are not publicly detailed.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractor spending.
- Lack of public detail on project outcomes.
- Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep or changing requirements.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical R&D for the Department of Defense.
- Contract awarded to a known entity (Orbital Sciences LLC).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541712. Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement but often carries higher risk due to the inherent uncertainties in R&D.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to small businesses, as indicated by 'sb': false. This suggests the prime contractor is a larger entity, and any subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not specified.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Air Force, part of the DoD. Oversight would typically involve program managers and contracting officers ensuring adherence to contract terms and performance standards. The 'VA' status might indicate specific oversight or reporting requirements.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Long contract duration (2623 days).
- Lack of specific public information on project deliverables and outcomes.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $41.0 million to ORBITAL SCIENCES LLC. EAGLE PLATFORM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ORBITAL SCIENCES 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 $41.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-08-24. End: 2019-10-30.
What specific technological advancements or capabilities did the EAGLE platform achieve, and how did they benefit the Department of Defense?
The public data does not specify the exact technological advancements or capabilities developed under the EAGLE platform contract. Further investigation into DoD program reports or Orbital Sciences' project archives would be necessary to determine the specific outcomes and their impact on defense capabilities. Without this information, the ultimate value derived from the $41M investment remains unclear.
What were the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract structure for this R&D project, and how were they mitigated?
The primary risk with CPFF contracts is the potential for cost overruns, as the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs. Mitigation strategies typically include robust cost monitoring, clear definition of allowable costs, and strong program management oversight to ensure efficiency. The long duration of this contract amplifies these risks, requiring diligent management to prevent scope creep and maintain cost control.
How effective was the full and open competition in ensuring a competitive price for this specialized R&D effort?
While full and open competition is designed to foster price discovery, its effectiveness for specialized R&D can vary. The complexity and unique nature of R&D projects may limit the number of truly competitive bids. Assessing effectiveness would require comparing the final negotiated price against independent cost estimates or the pricing of similar, albeit potentially less specialized, R&D contracts.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation (UEI: 967356127)
Address: 45101 WARP DRIVE, DULLES, VA, 20166
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $44,872,075
Exercised Options: $40,061,812
Current Obligation: $41,010,217
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-08-24
Current End Date: 2019-10-30
Potential End Date: 2019-10-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-08-21
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