DoD awards $10.5M for counter-UAS hardware, with Anduril Industries securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,466,668 ($10.5M)

Contractor: Anduril Industries, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-12-19

End Date: 2026-06-18

Contract Duration: 181 days

Daily Burn Rate: $57.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: PM GBAD HOME ALONE I-CSUAS HARDWARE PROCUREMENT.

Place of Performance

Location: SAN CLEMENTE, ORANGE County, CALIFORNIA, 92673

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $10.5 million to ANDURIL INDUSTRIES, INC. for work described as: PM GBAD HOME ALONE I-CSUAS HARDWARE PROCUREMENT. Key points: 1. The contract's value appears reasonable given the specialized nature of counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) hardware. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The short performance period of 181 days indicates a focused, near-term delivery requirement. 5. This procurement falls within the broader defense sector's increasing investment in C-UAS capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the exact value is challenging without specific hardware details, but the total award of approximately $10.5 million for specialized counter-UAS hardware over an 181-day period seems within a reasonable range for such advanced systems. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. Further analysis would require comparing the specific capabilities and quantities of hardware to similar procurements.

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. The number of bidders is not specified, but this approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The Navy's use of this method suggests confidence in the market's ability to provide suitable solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for receiving the best value through a wider range of offers and potentially lower prices due to market pressures.

Public Impact

The U.S. Department of the Navy will receive advanced counter-unmanned aircraft systems hardware. This procurement directly supports the Navy's efforts to counter drone threats. The hardware is intended for deployment within the United States, as indicated by the California award location. The contract may indirectly support jobs in the advanced manufacturing and defense technology sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific technical details on the hardware limits a thorough assessment of its capabilities and potential obsolescence.
The short performance duration might indicate a need for rapid deployment, potentially increasing logistical challenges.
While competed, the specific number of bids received is not public, which could offer further insight into the competitive intensity.

Positive Signals

The use of full and open competition suggests a robust market engagement.
The firm fixed-price contract type offers strong cost control for the government.
The procurement addresses a critical and evolving threat landscape in counter-UAS.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the defense sector, specifically focusing on electronic warfare and counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS). The market for C-UAS technology is rapidly expanding due to the proliferation of drones. Spending in this area is driven by national security imperatives to protect personnel and assets from aerial threats. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other DoD procurements for similar defensive systems.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Anduril Industries, Inc., is likely a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award notice. Future analysis could investigate subcontracting reports to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Defense employs various oversight mechanisms, including contract performance monitoring, quality assurance, and potentially Inspector General reviews for significant procurements. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by locking in costs. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases, though specific technical details may be limited for security reasons.

Related Government Programs

Counter-UAS Systems
Air Defense Systems
Department of the Navy Procurement
Anduril Industries Contracts
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Defense

Risk Flags

Technology Obsolescence Risk
Performance Specification Risk
Short Delivery Timeline Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $10.5 million to ANDURIL INDUSTRIES, INC.. PM GBAD HOME ALONE I-CSUAS HARDWARE PROCUREMENT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ANDURIL INDUSTRIES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-19. End: 2026-06-18.

What is Anduril Industries' track record with the Department of Defense, particularly in counter-UAS technology?

Anduril Industries has become a significant player in the defense technology sector, particularly known for its AI-driven autonomous systems and counter-UAS solutions. The company has secured numerous contracts with various branches of the U.S. military, including the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force, for a range of capabilities such as drone defense, border security, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Their approach often emphasizes rapid prototyping and deployment of advanced technologies. For the Navy specifically, Anduril has been involved in providing counter-drone systems. This particular contract for PM GBAD HOME ALONE I-CSUAS HARDWARE PROCUREMENT aligns with their established expertise and previous contract awards in this domain, suggesting a strong existing relationship and proven capability with the DoD.

How does the $10.5 million award compare to other recent DoD procurements for similar counter-UAS hardware?

The $10.5 million award for counter-UAS hardware is a moderate-sized contract within the broader landscape of defense procurements. While specific hardware configurations and quantities are not detailed, this figure is consistent with procurements for specialized electronic warfare systems, sensor packages, or integrated drone defense platforms. For instance, other branches of the DoD have awarded contracts in the multi-million dollar range for systems designed to detect, track, and neutralize drones. The value is less than major platform acquisitions but significant enough to represent a substantial capability upgrade or deployment. Without precise technical specifications, a direct unit-cost comparison is difficult, but the overall award size reflects the growing investment in countering the ubiquitous drone threat.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential technical performance issues if the hardware does not meet the demanding requirements of counter-UAS operations, and schedule risks given the relatively short performance period of 181 days. There's also a risk of the technology becoming obsolete quickly in the rapidly evolving drone threat landscape. Mitigation strategies are in place: the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type shifts the financial risk of cost overruns to the contractor, Anduril Industries. The full and open competition process aims to ensure the selection of a capable vendor. Furthermore, the Department of the Navy likely has quality assurance and acceptance testing procedures to verify performance before final payment, and the short duration suggests a focused, achievable scope of work.

What is the expected effectiveness of the 'PM GBAD HOME ALONE I-CSUAS HARDWARE PROCUREMENT' in enhancing the Navy's air defense capabilities?

The 'PM GBAD HOME ALONE I-CSUAS HARDWARE PROCUREMENT' is expected to significantly enhance the Navy's Ground-Based Air Defense (GBAD) capabilities against unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The 'HOME ALONE' designation might imply a self-contained or rapidly deployable system. By procuring specialized hardware, the Navy aims to improve its ability to detect, identify, track, and potentially defeat low-flying, small, and medium-sized drones that pose a growing threat to naval installations, vessels, and personnel. The effectiveness will depend on the specific capabilities of the hardware procured, such as radar, electro-optical/infrared sensors, electronic warfare jammers, or kinetic defeat mechanisms. This investment is crucial for maintaining air and missile defense superiority in an environment increasingly populated by adversarial drone technology.

How has federal spending on counter-UAS technologies evolved over the past five years, and what does this contract signify?

Federal spending on counter-UAS (C-UAS) technologies has seen a dramatic increase over the past five years, driven by the recognized threat posed by drones in both military and civilian contexts. Initially, spending was focused on research and development, but it has rapidly shifted towards procurement of fielded systems. Agencies like the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and others have allocated substantial budgets to acquire C-UAS capabilities, including detection systems, electronic warfare countermeasures, and directed energy weapons. This $10.5 million contract for the Navy signifies the continued and sustained commitment of the DoD to address this evolving threat. It reflects a move towards acquiring mature, deployable C-UAS hardware solutions rather than solely focusing on R&D, indicating a maturing market and an urgent operational need.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing › Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: FIRE CONTROL EQPT.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: TWO STEP

Solicitation ID: M6785424R0003

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 909 E ST NW FL 6, WASHINGTON, DC, 20004

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,466,668

Exercised Options: $10,466,668

Current Obligation: $10,466,668

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: M6785425D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline