DoD's $41.3M Contract for Submarine & Surface Ship Signature Tech Evaluation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $41,337,377 ($41.3M)

Contractor: Advanced Technology and Research Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-02-17

End Date: 2027-02-16

Contract Duration: 2,190 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: THE REQUIREMENT WILL EVALUATE SIGNATURES AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUBMARINES, SURFACE SHIPS, AND MODEL SCALE VEHICLES.

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20817

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $41.3 million to ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH CORPORATION for work described as: THE REQUIREMENT WILL EVALUATE SIGNATURES AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUBMARINES, SURFACE SHIPS, AND MODEL SCALE VEHICLES. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on advanced signature and technology evaluation for naval platforms. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The primary risk lies in the complexity of evaluating advanced signatures across diverse naval assets. 4. The sector is Defense, specifically naval technology research and development.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking is difficult without specific per-unit cost data for signature evaluation services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Full and open competition was utilized, which generally promotes competitive pricing. However, the specialized nature of signature evaluation might limit the number of truly competitive bids.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced defense technology development, aiming for enhanced naval capabilities.

Public Impact

Enhances naval platform survivability through advanced signature analysis. Supports modernization efforts within the Department of the Navy. Potential for technological advancements applicable to future defense systems. Invests in research critical for maintaining a technological edge.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
Specialized nature of signature evaluation may limit true competition.
Long contract duration increases exposure to changing technological landscapes.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Focus on critical defense technology.
Supports naval modernization.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting advanced research and development for the Department of Defense. Spending benchmarks in this niche area are highly variable, depending on the specific technologies and platforms involved.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Given the specialized nature of the requirement, it's possible that larger, established defense contractors are the primary participants.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Navy, as the procuring agency, is responsible for oversight. The contract type and duration necessitate diligent monitoring to ensure cost control and adherence to technical requirements.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

Cost escalation risk due to CPFF structure.
Technical complexity and potential for unforeseen challenges.
Long-term relevance of evaluated technologies.
Dependency on contractor's specialized expertise.
Potential for scope creep in R&D.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $41.3 million to ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH CORPORATION. THE REQUIREMENT WILL EVALUATE SIGNATURES AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUBMARINES, SURFACE SHIPS, AND MODEL SCALE VEHICLES.

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 $41.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-02-17. End: 2027-02-16.

What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the signature technologies?

The effectiveness of signature technologies will likely be evaluated based on their ability to accurately detect, classify, and differentiate various signatures across submarines, surface ships, and model-scale vehicles. This could involve comparing sensor data against known signatures, assessing the performance in different environmental conditions, and measuring the reduction in detectable signatures through countermeasures.

What are the potential risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure in this context?

The CPFF structure carries risks of cost escalation if the contractor's costs exceed initial estimates, as the government pays the actual costs plus a fixed fee. For complex R&D like signature evaluation, estimating costs accurately is challenging, potentially leading to the government paying more than anticipated without a guaranteed proportional increase in value or performance.

How will the Department of the Navy ensure this investment translates into tangible improvements in operational capabilities?

The Navy will likely ensure tangible improvements through rigorous testing and validation protocols, incorporating feedback from operational units, and establishing clear performance benchmarks. Regular technical reviews, milestone tracking, and potentially pilot programs will help bridge the gap between research findings and practical application in enhancing platform survivability and mission effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N0016720R3008

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12301 KILN COURT, BELTSVILLE, MD, 20705

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $63,046,365

Exercised Options: $63,046,365

Current Obligation: $41,337,377

Actual Outlays: $25,822

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017819D7061

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline