DoD's $234M Magnetic Silencing Program Support Contract Awarded to Advanced Technology and Research Corporation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,400,304 ($23.4M)
Contractor: Advanced Technology and Research Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2006-09-28
End Date: 2009-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,190 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MAGNETIC SILENCING PROGRAM SUPPORT TAS::17 1804::TAS
Place of Performance
Location: BURTONSVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20866, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $23.4 million to ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH CORPORATION for work described as: MAGNETIC SILENCING PROGRAM SUPPORT TAS::17 1804::TAS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized engineering services in magnetic silencing. 2. Competition method was full and open, suggesting market availability. 3. Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type carries inherent cost escalation risks. 4. The sector is engineering services, crucial for defense technology development.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure can lead to costs exceeding initial estimates if not managed tightly. Benchmarking against similar specialized engineering services is difficult without more granular data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of full and open competition indicates that multiple vendors were likely considered, promoting a competitive price discovery process. However, the specific nature of the service might limit the pool of truly qualified bidders.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for specialized defense research and development, aiming for technological superiority. The effectiveness of spending hinges on successful program outcomes and efficient cost management.
Public Impact
Supports advanced defense technology development, potentially enhancing national security. Funding allocated to a specific engineering services firm, impacting the defense industrial base. The program's success could lead to advancements with broader technological applications.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type can incentivize higher spending.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
- Specialized nature of service may limit competition in future procurements.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Contract supports critical defense technology.
- Long-term contract duration allows for sustained development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, which is vital for the Department of Defense's technological advancements. Spending benchmarks for highly specialized R&D services like magnetic silencing are difficult to establish due to their unique nature.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Advanced Technology and Research Corporation, and there is no indication of small business subcontracting. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or had no opportunity to participate.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Navy is the contracting agency. Oversight would focus on ensuring the contractor meets technical requirements within the fixed fee and managing any cost overruns effectively.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost overrun potential due to CPFF structure.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Potential for limited future competition due to specialization.
- Difficulty in benchmarking specialized R&D costs.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, md, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $23.4 million to ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH CORPORATION. MAGNETIC SILENCING PROGRAM SUPPORT TAS::17 1804::TAS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $23.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-09-28. End: 2009-12-31.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this magnetic silencing program, and how will they be measured?
The specific technological advancements are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such programs aim to reduce electromagnetic signatures for stealth or operational effectiveness. Measurement would likely involve rigorous testing and validation against defined performance parameters, which are crucial for assessing the program's success and justifying the investment.
What are the primary risks associated with the cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type for this specialized service?
The primary risk with a cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract is that the government may end up paying more than anticipated if the contractor's costs exceed estimates, even though the fee is fixed. This structure can incentivize less cost-consciousness from the contractor, requiring robust oversight to manage expenditures and ensure value for money.
How does the 'full and open competition' method ensure effective price discovery for highly specialized engineering services?
Full and open competition aims to ensure effective price discovery by allowing any responsible source to submit an offer. For specialized services, this means the government solicits proposals from all qualified entities, fostering competition among those capable of performing the work. This process theoretically drives down prices as vendors compete on both technical merit and cost.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
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
Solicitation ID: N0002406R3322
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6650 ELI WHITNEY DR STE 400, COLUMBIA, MD, 21046
Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $401,334,940
Exercised Options: $401,334,940
Current Obligation: $23,400,304
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0017804D4004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-09-28
Current End Date: 2009-12-31
Potential End Date: 2009-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-06-28
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