Navy awards $3.64M for R&D in physical and engineering sciences to Advanced Technology International

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,640,000 ($3.6M)

Contractor: Advanced Technology International

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-06-13

End Date: 2028-06-22

Contract Duration: 1,105 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NAVY MANTECH CMTC FY25 PROJECT TO

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $3.6 million to ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL for work described as: NAVY MANTECH CMTC FY25 PROJECT TO Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control but also carries inherent risks. 3. The duration of over 3 years indicates a significant, long-term research and development effort. 4. The NAICS code 541715 points to research in physical, engineering, and life sciences, excluding specialized fields. 5. The awardee, Advanced Technology International, will be responsible for delivering on this project. 6. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $3.64 million contract is challenging without more context on the specific deliverables and the scope of research. Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed tightly, as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee. Comparing this to similar R&D contracts within the Department of the Navy or DoD would provide better insight into whether the pricing is competitive for the expected outcomes.

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 typically suggests a robust bidding process with multiple interested parties, which can lead to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the designation implies a competitive environment.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a market where contractors vie for the best price and performance, potentially reducing overall expenditure compared to less competitive award methods.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of the Navy and potentially broader Department of Defense initiatives requiring advancements in physical and engineering sciences. The services delivered will focus on research and development within specified scientific and engineering domains. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the contract is registered, but the research outcomes could have national defense implications. Workforce implications may include the employment of scientists, engineers, and research support staff by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and the fixed fee is justified.
The duration of the contract necessitates ongoing monitoring of progress and performance to ensure objectives are met.
Without specific details on the research scope, it's difficult to assess the true value and potential for cost overruns.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process that should yield better value.
The contract is for research and development, which is critical for technological advancement and national security.
The fixed fee component of the contract provides some level of cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, excluding specialized areas like nanotechnology and biotechnology. This sector is crucial for defense innovation, encompassing a wide range of scientific inquiry aimed at developing new technologies and improving existing ones. Spending in this area is often driven by strategic defense needs and the desire to maintain a technological edge. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other R&D contracts awarded by the DoD or its branches for similar scientific disciplines.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific award. This suggests the contract was competed broadly, and while small businesses may have participated as subcontractors, there was no explicit requirement for a small business set-aside. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on subcontracting opportunities, which are not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and their representatives within the Department of the Navy. Accountability measures would be tied to the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, requiring detailed reporting of costs and progress. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific project details might be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

DoD Research and Development Programs
Navy Science and Technology Initiatives
Advanced Materials Research Contracts
Engineering Services Contracts
Federal R&D Spending

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
Long contract duration may lead to evolving research needs or technological obsolescence.
Specific deliverables and performance metrics are not detailed, making value assessment difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $3.6 million to ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL. NAVY MANTECH CMTC FY25 PROJECT TO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-13. End: 2028-06-22.

What is the track record of Advanced Technology International (ATI) with the Department of Defense, particularly in R&D contracts?

Assessing the track record of Advanced Technology International (ATI) requires a review of their past performance on similar contracts with the Department of Defense (DoD). This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, their value, duration, and performance ratings. Specifically, looking for R&D contracts within the physical, engineering, and life sciences (NAICS 541715) would provide the most relevant context. A history of successful project completion, adherence to budget, and positive performance reviews would indicate a reliable contractor. Conversely, a pattern of cost overruns, missed deadlines, or negative performance feedback would raise concerns about their capability to execute this new $3.64 million project effectively. Without direct access to performance data, a general search of federal contract databases can offer insights into their award history and the types of services they have provided to the DoD.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type compare to other R&D contract vehicles in terms of value for money?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is common for research and development (R&D) where the scope of work can be uncertain or evolve. In CPFF, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure can be advantageous when the exact costs are difficult to estimate upfront, providing flexibility. However, it carries a risk of cost growth if not managed diligently, as the contractor has less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts. For value for money, it's crucial to compare the outcomes achieved against the total cost. Fixed-price incentive fee (FPIF) or even firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts might offer better value if the scope is well-defined and risks can be accurately assessed, as they place more cost risk on the contractor. The effectiveness of CPFF hinges on robust government oversight to monitor costs and ensure the fixed fee remains appropriate for the effort.

What are the potential risks associated with a 1105-day duration for this R&D contract?

A contract duration of 1105 days (approximately 3 years) for R&D presents several potential risks. Firstly, the rapid pace of technological advancement means that research objectives or the relevance of the technology being developed could shift significantly over this period. What is cutting-edge at the start might be outdated or superseded by new discoveries by the end. Secondly, long-duration contracts increase the risk of cost escalation due to inflation, changes in labor rates, or unforeseen material costs. Thirdly, maintaining consistent project focus and team morale over several years can be challenging. Finally, the longer the project, the greater the potential for scope creep if not managed tightly, leading to increased costs and delayed deliverables. Effective risk mitigation would involve regular reviews, clear milestones, and flexibility to adapt to evolving technological landscapes and requirements.

How does the $3.64 million award amount compare to typical spending for R&D in physical and engineering sciences by the Navy?

Determining if $3.64 million is typical for Navy R&D in physical and engineering sciences requires comparative data. The Department of the Navy, like other branches of the DoD, invests heavily in R&D to maintain technological superiority. Spending can range from small, targeted research grants to multi-billion dollar platform development programs. Contracts for specific scientific research projects, especially those focused on fundamental or applied sciences rather than large-scale system development, can vary widely. Without access to detailed historical spending data for NAICS code 541715 specifically within the Navy, it's difficult to provide a precise benchmark. However, $3.64 million represents a significant but not exceptionally large investment for a multi-year R&D effort, suggesting it's likely for a focused research initiative rather than a major program. Further analysis would involve examining the Navy's R&D budget allocations and contract awards for similar scientific domains.

What are the implications of this contract being a 'Delivery Order' (aw: DELIVERY ORDER)?

The designation 'Delivery Order' (aw: DELIVERY ORDER) implies that this $3.64 million award is not a standalone contract but rather a specific task order issued under a larger, pre-existing contract vehicle, likely an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar master agreement. This structure allows the government to procure services or supplies incrementally as needed, often with pre-negotiated terms, conditions, and pricing. For this specific award, it means the terms and conditions, including competition requirements and pricing structures, were likely established when the parent IDIQ contract was awarded. The 'full and open competition' designation likely applied to the award of the parent IDIQ, or potentially to the competition for this specific delivery order if the parent contract allowed for it. This approach offers flexibility and efficiency for the government in acquiring a range of services over time.

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

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 315 SIGMA DR, SUMMERVILLE, SC, 29486

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,182,843

Exercised Options: $10,182,843

Current Obligation: $3,640,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0001421D7001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline