DoD Awards $93M for Advanced Tech Development to Orbital Sciences Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $93,076,081 ($93.1M)
Contractor: Orbital Sciences LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2000-05-24
End Date: 2001-05-23
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $255.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: 200008!1700!001509!E3230 !NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY !N0017300C2026 !A!*!AWARD !20000524!20010523!610014508!101916062!101916062!N!0SKU4!ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION !7500 GREENWAY CENTER DRIVE!GREENBELT !MD!20770!34775!033!24!GREENBELT !PRINCE GEORGE S !MARYLAND !0001!+000000105000!N!N!000000000000!AD93!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-ADV TECH DEV !S1 !SERVICES !2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !8731!3!A!S!C!B!A!*!A !N!U!2!001!B!* !Z!N!Z!* !* !N!C!*!Z!Z!A!A!A!A!* !*!N!A!B!N!*!*!*!*!*!
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20770
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $93.1 million to ORBITAL SCIENCES LLC for work described as: 200008!1700!001509!E3230 !NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY !N0017300C2026 !A!*!AWARD !20000524!20010523!610014508!101916062!101916062!N!0SKU4!ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION !7500 GREENWAY CENTER DRIVE!GREENBELT !MD!20770!34775!033!24!GREENBELT !PRI… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract value is substantial at over $93 million. 4. Orbital Sciences Corporation is the prime contractor for this defense-related project.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $93,076,081.46 appears reasonable for a definitive contract of this duration and scope, especially within the R&D sector.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for taxpayer value, as it aims to secure the best possible price and performance.
Public Impact
Supports advanced technological development within the Department of Defense. Potential for innovation in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Contracting with a known entity, Orbital Sciences Corporation, for specialized R&D services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration of 364 days is relatively short for complex R&D, potentially leading to follow-on contracts.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Contract supports critical defense research and development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, a critical area for defense innovation. Spending benchmarks in this sector can vary widely based on the specific research focus.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses. The prime contractor, Orbital Sciences Corporation, is a large business.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Defense, through the Naval Research Laboratory and the Defense Contract Management Agency, is responsible for oversight. The contract type and duration will influence the level of oversight required.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Contract duration of 364 days.
- Lack of specific detail on R&D deliverables.
- Prime contractor is a large business, no small business participation noted.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, md, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $93.1 million to ORBITAL SCIENCES LLC. 200008!1700!001509!E3230 !NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY !N0017300C2026 !A!*!AWARD !20000524!20010523!610014508!101916062!101916062!N!0SKU4!ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION !7500 GREENWAY CENTER DRIVE!GREENBELT !MD!20770!34775!033!24!GREENBELT !PRINCE GEORGE S !MARYLAND !0001!+000000105000!N!N!000000000000!AD93!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-ADV TECH DEV !S1 !SERVICES !2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !8731!3!A!S!C!B!A!*!A !N!U!
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ORBITAL SCIENCES LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $93.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2000-05-24. End: 2001-05-23.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this $93 million R&D contract?
The contract is for 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)'. While the specific advancements are not detailed in this record, such contracts typically aim to develop new capabilities, improve existing technologies, or explore novel scientific principles relevant to national defense. This could range from advanced materials and propulsion systems to sophisticated sensor technologies or complex simulation models.
What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D?
CPFF contracts carry inherent risks, particularly in R&D where project scope and outcomes can be uncertain. The primary risk is that the contractor may not be sufficiently incentivized to control costs, as the government agrees to cover all allowable costs plus a fixed fee. This can lead to cost overruns if the initial cost estimates are inaccurate or if unforeseen technical challenges arise, requiring more resources than anticipated.
How does the 'full and open competition' method impact the effectiveness of this R&D spending?
Full and open competition is generally considered effective for R&D spending as it allows the government to solicit proposals from a wide range of qualified sources. This broadens the pool of innovative ideas and solutions, increasing the likelihood of selecting the most capable contractor at a competitive price. It fosters a dynamic environment where contractors are motivated to offer their best technical approaches and pricing to win the award.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation (UEI: 967356127)
Address: 7500 GREENWAY CENTER DRIVE, GREENBELT, MD, 20770
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $93,163,363
Exercised Options: $93,163,363
Current Obligation: $93,076,081
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2000-05-24
Current End Date: 2001-05-23
Potential End Date: 2001-05-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-07-18
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