DoD awards $24.6M to Teledyne Brown Engineering for navigation systems, facing limited competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,647,437 ($24.6M)

Contractor: Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2015-03-12

End Date: 2021-03-17

Contract Duration: 2,197 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: ENGINEERING, MAINTENANCE,&SUPPORT SVCS IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35807

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.6 million to TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, INC. for work described as: ENGINEERING, MAINTENANCE,&SUPPORT SVCS IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $24.6 million awarded. 2. Limited competition raises questions about price discovery. 3. Contract duration of nearly 6 years suggests long-term need. 4. Focus on navigation systems falls within a critical defense sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed closely. Without specific benchmarks for similar navigation system contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed, indicating a limited source selection. This approach may not have yielded the best possible price for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of full and open competition could result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these engineering and support services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and maintenance of critical navigation systems for the Department of Defense. Supports a specific technology area vital for military operations. Potential for cost overruns due to the contract type and limited competition.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this area is crucial for national defense, but often involves specialized, high-cost components and services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business, as the 'sb' field is false. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency, suggesting a level of oversight. However, the limited competition and contract type warrant close monitoring to ensure cost control and performance.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

search-detection-navigation-guidance-aer, department-of-defense, al, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.6 million to TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, INC.. ENGINEERING, MAINTENANCE,&SUPPORT SVCS IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-03-12. End: 2021-03-17.

What was the justification for not competing this contract, and were alternative sources considered?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED' and classified as 'limited' competition. Without further documentation, the specific justification for this approach is unknown. Agencies typically sole-source or limit competition when only one source can meet the requirement, or for urgent needs. This lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible pricing and value.

What are the specific performance metrics and deliverables for this contract, and how are they being monitored?

The data does not detail specific performance metrics or deliverables. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, oversight would focus on managing the fixed fee and ensuring the costs incurred are reasonable and allocable to the contract. The Defense Contract Management Agency's role implies some level of performance monitoring, but the effectiveness of this oversight in controlling costs and ensuring quality is not evident from the provided information.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar navigation system contracts awarded by other agencies or in different fiscal years?

A direct cost comparison is challenging without access to a broader dataset of similar contracts, including their scope, duration, and specific technologies. The 'br' field shows a benchmark of 11219, but its meaning and applicability are unclear. A comprehensive analysis would require benchmarking against contracts for comparable navigation systems, considering factors like technological sophistication and contract type.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingNavigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments ManufacturingSearch, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SHIPS, SMALL CRAFT, PONTOON, DOCKS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: N0003914R0007

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (UEI: 112358432)

Address: 300 SPARKMAN DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35805

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: $38,909,084

Exercised Options: $31,381,346

Current Obligation: $24,647,437

Actual Outlays: $3,021,648

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 31

Total Subaward Amount: $15,800,153

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2015-03-12

Current End Date: 2021-03-17

Potential End Date: 2021-03-17 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2021-06-03

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