DoD awards Northrop Grumman $48.7M for NGJ LB INC 2 tech demonstration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $48,697,821 ($48.7M)

Contractor: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-10-25

End Date: 2020-08-31

Contract Duration: 676 days

Daily Burn Rate: $72.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: DEMONSTRATION OF EXISTING TECHNOLOGIES FOR NGJ LB INC 2

Place of Performance

Location: BETHPAGE, NASSAU County, NEW YORK, 11714

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $48.7 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: DEMONSTRATION OF EXISTING TECHNOLOGIES FOR NGJ LB INC 2 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, large defense contractor, indicating potential for limited competition. 2. Focus on R&D in physical and engineering sciences suggests innovation but also inherent project risk. 3. The $48.7M award for a technology demonstration highlights investment in future defense capabilities. 4. Contract duration of 676 days points to a substantial development and testing phase.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $48.7M for a technology demonstration is within a reasonable range for complex R&D projects. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for advanced systems is difficult without more specific technical details.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the award to a single entity, Northrop Grumman, warrants further investigation into the specific evaluation criteria and the number of bids received.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for research and development, aiming to advance defense technology. The ultimate value to taxpayers depends on the successful development and deployment of the demonstrated technologies.

Public Impact

Investment in advanced defense technology could lead to enhanced national security capabilities. The project's success could spur further innovation and technological advancements in the defense sector. Potential for job creation within the defense industry and related research fields. Transparency in the bidding process is crucial to ensure fair use of public funds.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is critical for maintaining technological superiority but often involves high risk and long development cycles. Benchmarks vary widely based on the specific scientific domain.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman, a large defense contractor. There is no explicit indication of small business participation in this specific award, suggesting that opportunities for small businesses may be limited unless they are subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Defense, through the Defense Contract Management Agency, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight is necessary to ensure adherence to cost, schedule, and performance requirements, especially for R&D efforts.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ny, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $48.7 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. DEMONSTRATION OF EXISTING TECHNOLOGIES FOR NGJ LB INC 2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $48.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-10-25. End: 2020-08-31.

What specific technologies are being demonstrated under the NGJ LB INC 2 program, and what is their projected impact on future defense capabilities?

The specific technologies under the NGJ LB INC 2 program are not detailed in the provided data. However, 'NGJ LB INC 2' likely refers to a component or phase of the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) program, which aims to provide advanced electronic warfare capabilities for naval aircraft. The projected impact could include significantly enhanced electronic attack and protection against sophisticated threats, thereby improving aircrew survivability and mission effectiveness.

Given the R&D nature of the contract, what are the primary risks associated with achieving the program's objectives and staying within budget?

Primary risks include technological immaturity, where the core technologies may not perform as expected or require significant redesign. Schedule risks arise from unforeseen technical challenges or integration issues. Cost risks are inherent in R&D, with potential for cost overruns due to scope creep, testing failures, or the need for additional research. Effective risk mitigation strategies and agile development methodologies are crucial.

How will the success of this technology demonstration be measured, and what are the criteria for determining its effectiveness and value for future investment?

Success will likely be measured against predefined technical performance metrics (TPMs) outlined in the contract's Statement of Work. These could include range, power output, signal processing capabilities, and integration with existing platforms. Effectiveness and value will be determined by demonstrating that the technology meets or exceeds these TPMs, offers a significant improvement over current capabilities, and provides a viable path for full-scale development and procurement within acceptable cost and schedule constraints.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTC – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: N0001918R0008

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation (UEI: 967356127)

Address: 925 OYSTER BAY RD, BETHPAGE, NY, 11714

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,697,821

Exercised Options: $48,697,821

Current Obligation: $48,697,821

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 27

Total Subaward Amount: $16,039,660

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2018-10-25

Current End Date: 2020-08-31

Potential End Date: 2020-08-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2020-06-23

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