DoD's $1.6B R&D Contract with DRS Technologies for Advanced Tech Development Awarded Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,017,040 ($16.0M)
Contractor: DRS Network & Imaging Systems LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2002-09-30
End Date: 2011-04-03
Contract Duration: 3,107 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: 200212!003020!1700!D710J !SPACE AND NAVAL WARFARE SYSTEMS !N6600102C8035 !A!N! !N! !20020930!20060929!037204125!037204125!061345351!N!D R S TECHNOLOGIES, INC !13544 N CENTRAL EXPY !DALLAS !TX!75243!19000!113!48!DALLAS !DALLAS !TEXAS !+000000725000!N!N!000010453645!AZ13!RDTE/OTHER RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT-ADV TECH DEV !S1 !SERVICES !2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B!F!N!A! !A!N!U!2!001!E! !Z!Y!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!A!A!A!000!A!A!N! ! ! ! ! !N66001!0001!
Place of Performance
Location: DALLAS, DALLAS County, TEXAS, 75243, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $16.0 million to DRS NETWORK & IMAGING SYSTEMS LLC for work described as: 200212!003020!1700!D710J !SPACE AND NAVAL WARFARE SYSTEMS !N6600102C8035 !A!N! !N! !20020930!20060929!037204125!037204125!061345351!N!D R S TECHNOLOGIES, INC !13544 N CENTRAL EXPY !DALLAS !TX!75243!19000!113!48!DALLAS !DALLA… Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $1.6 billion, focuses on advanced technology development within the physical, engineering, and life sciences sector. 2. Awarded to DRS Network & Imaging Systems LLC, the contract was secured through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract's duration is substantial, spanning over 3100 days, indicating a long-term commitment to research and development. 4. The sector is characterized by high innovation and significant government investment, with potential for technological breakthroughs and economic impact.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $1.6 billion for advanced R&D is substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale, long-term R&D contracts is difficult without more specific service details, but the scale suggests significant investment.
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 compete. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayers are likely receiving fair value for the significant investment in advanced research and development.
Public Impact
Advancement in critical defense technologies could lead to enhanced national security capabilities. Investment in R&D stimulates innovation and can create high-skilled jobs within the technology sector. The long-term nature of the contract provides stability for the contractor and ensures sustained focus on research objectives.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific details on deliverables and performance metrics.
- Potential for cost overruns in long-term, complex R&D projects.
- Dependency on a single contractor for a significant portion of advanced R&D.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Significant investment in a critical R&D area.
- Long contract duration allows for sustained progress.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced technological development. Government spending in this area is crucial for maintaining a technological edge, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific research field and project scope.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Defense's contracting and program management offices, ensuring adherence to contract terms and performance objectives.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract awarded under full and open competition.
- Significant government investment in advanced R&D.
- Long contract duration supports sustained innovation.
- Potential for groundbreaking technological advancements.
- Contractor has a history of performance in relevant fields (implied by award).
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, tx, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $16.0 million to DRS NETWORK & IMAGING SYSTEMS LLC. 200212!003020!1700!D710J !SPACE AND NAVAL WARFARE SYSTEMS !N6600102C8035 !A!N! !N! !20020930!20060929!037204125!037204125!061345351!N!D R S TECHNOLOGIES, INC !13544 N CENTRAL EXPY !DALLAS !TX!75243!19000!113!48!DALLAS !DALLAS !TEXAS !+000000725000!N!N!000010453645!AZ13!RDTE/OTHER RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT-ADV TECH DEV !S1 !SERVICES !2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DRS NETWORK & IMAGING SYSTEMS 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 $16.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2002-09-30. End: 2011-04-03.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this $1.6 billion R&D contract, and how will they directly benefit national security or other government missions?
The contract aims to advance technologies within the physical, engineering, and life sciences. While specific advancements are not detailed, such R&D typically targets areas like next-generation sensing, advanced materials, artificial intelligence integration, or novel communication systems. These are expected to enhance military capabilities, improve operational efficiency, and provide a strategic advantage in evolving threat landscapes.
Given the long duration and significant value, what are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
Key risks include technological obsolescence, cost overruns due to the inherent uncertainties of R&D, and potential shifts in strategic priorities rendering the research less relevant. Mitigation strategies likely involve phased funding, regular performance reviews, milestone-based payments, and built-in flexibility to adapt research directions based on emerging needs or discoveries.
How does the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) align with achieving value for money in such a complex R&D environment?
Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are common in R&D where the scope is not fully defined. While it allows flexibility, it carries a risk of cost overruns for the government. The fixed fee provides an incentive for the contractor to manage costs efficiently, but rigorous oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to ensure value for money is achieved.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Leonardo SPA (UEI: 428869465)
Address: 100 N BABCOCK ST, MELBOURNE, FL, 32935
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2002-09-30
Current End Date: 2011-04-03
Potential End Date: 2011-04-03 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-08-26
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