Naval Research Lab awards $20.7M contract for advanced radar concept engineering to Envisioneering Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,686,122 ($20.7M)
Contractor: Envisioneering Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2022-08-12
End Date: 2026-08-11
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: RADAR ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR THE RADAR DIVISION ADVANCED CONCEPT GROUP OF THE NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20375
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $20.7 million to ENVISIONEERING INC for work described as: RADAR ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR THE RADAR DIVISION ADVANCED CONCEPT GROUP OF THE NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY Key points: 1. Contract provides specialized engineering support for advanced radar concepts. 2. Envisioneering Inc. is the sole awardee under full and open competition. 3. The contract duration is four years, indicating a need for sustained support. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 5. The award value is substantial, suggesting a significant project scope. 6. The Naval Research Laboratory is a key player in defense R&D. 7. The contract is for engineering services, a critical component of technological advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns. However, the award value of approximately $20.7 million over four years suggests a significant investment in specialized engineering expertise. Comparing this to similar contracts for advanced R&D engineering services would provide a clearer picture of its value proposition. The fixed fee component offers some cost control, but the cost-plus nature requires diligent oversight to ensure efficiency and prevent unnecessary expenditures.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple capable vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the full and open nature suggests a competitive process that should theoretically drive better pricing and innovation. The Naval Research Laboratory's approach to competition here is standard for significant R&D contracts.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a market that encourages efficiency and cost-effectiveness among contractors.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Naval Research Laboratory's Advanced Concept Group, which receives critical engineering support. The contract facilitates the development of advanced radar technologies, potentially enhancing national defense capabilities. The geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, where the Naval Research Laboratory is located. The contract supports specialized engineering roles, contributing to the high-tech workforce in the defense sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts carry inherent risks of cost escalation if not rigorously managed.
- Lack of specific bidder count makes it difficult to fully assess the intensity of competition.
- The specialized nature of the work may limit the pool of truly competitive bidders in the future.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
- The four-year duration indicates a stable, long-term need for the contractor's expertise.
- The contract supports advanced research and development, aligning with strategic defense goals.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting advanced research and development in radar technology. The defense R&D market is characterized by high technical barriers to entry and significant government investment. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within other advanced electronics and systems engineering contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Defense, focusing on innovation and next-generation capabilities.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Envisioneering Inc. voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. Further analysis would be needed to determine any indirect effects or subcontracting plans.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Naval Research Laboratory's contracting and technical personnel. Accountability measures are embedded within the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, requiring detailed reporting and justification of costs. Transparency is generally maintained through contract awards databases, though specific performance metrics and cost details may be proprietary. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Naval Research Laboratory Contracts
- Advanced Radar Systems Development
- Defense Engineering Services
- Department of the Navy R&D Spending
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may lead to cost overruns.
- Limited transparency on the number of bidders in the full and open competition.
- Specialized nature of R&D may limit future competition.
Tags
department-of-defense, department-of-the-navy, naval-research-laboratory, engineering-services, research-and-development, radar-technology, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, district-of-columbia, advanced-concepts, contract-award, envisionsneering-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $20.7 million to ENVISIONEERING INC. RADAR ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR THE RADAR DIVISION ADVANCED CONCEPT GROUP OF THE NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ENVISIONEERING INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-08-12. End: 2026-08-11.
What is Envisioneering Inc.'s track record with the Department of Defense, particularly in radar engineering?
Envisioneering Inc. has a history of contracts with the Department of Defense, including work related to engineering and technical services. While specific details on their radar engineering expertise require deeper investigation into past performance reports and contract histories, their selection for this advanced concept group contract suggests a recognized capability in the field. Analyzing their portfolio of previous DoD awards, including contract values, durations, and performance reviews, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record and suitability for this specialized role. It's important to assess if they have successfully delivered similar complex engineering projects within budget and schedule in the past.
How does the $20.7 million award compare to similar radar engineering support contracts?
The $20.7 million award for four years of radar engineering support is a significant sum, indicative of specialized, high-level R&D work. To benchmark its value, one would compare it to other contracts for advanced concept development and engineering services within the defense sector, particularly those awarded by the Navy or other branches for similar technological domains. Factors like the specific technical challenges, the required expertise, and the duration of support are crucial for a fair comparison. Without access to a detailed breakdown of the work and market rates for such specialized engineering talent, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the full and open competition suggests an attempt to secure competitive pricing for this level of support.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for advanced R&D?
The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, especially in advanced R&D, is the potential for cost overruns. While the 'fixed fee' component provides the contractor with a defined profit margin, the 'cost plus' element means the government reimburses the contractor's allowable costs. If the R&D effort proves more complex or expensive than initially anticipated, the total cost to the government can escalate significantly beyond initial projections. Effective oversight, stringent cost controls, and clear definition of allowable costs are critical to mitigate this risk. The contractor also has an incentive to control costs to maximize their fee relative to the effort, but the government bears the ultimate cost risk.
How effective is full and open competition in ensuring optimal pricing for specialized engineering services?
Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring optimal pricing for specialized engineering services, as it allows the widest possible pool of qualified vendors to bid. This broad competition theoretically drives down prices and encourages innovation as companies vie for the contract. However, the effectiveness can be influenced by the specificity of the requirement. If the required expertise is highly niche, the number of truly capable bidders might be limited, potentially reducing the competitive pressure. For advanced R&D like radar concepts, the government must balance the desire for broad competition with the need for highly specialized skills, ensuring that evaluation criteria accurately reflect technical merit alongside cost.
What is the historical spending trend for engineering services at the Naval Research Laboratory?
Analyzing historical spending trends for engineering services at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) would reveal patterns in investment in research and development capabilities. This specific $20.7 million award contributes to the overall spending in this category. Understanding the NRL's historical budget allocation for engineering services, the types of contracts awarded (e.g., R&D, sustainment, specific technology areas), and the average contract values can provide context. Significant year-over-year increases or decreases in spending on engineering services might indicate shifts in strategic priorities or funding availability. Benchmarking this contract's value against historical averages for similar services at NRL would further illuminate its financial context.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: N0017322R3001
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 5904 RICHMOND HWY STE 600, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22303
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $54,611,525
Exercised Options: $39,750,542
Current Obligation: $20,686,122
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0017819D7613
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-08-12
Current End Date: 2026-08-11
Potential End Date: 2028-02-11 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-15
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