DoD awards $7.2M for torpedo tube engineering, supporting anti-submarine warfare capabilities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,208,335 ($7.2M)

Contractor: Mclaughlin Research Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-03-05

End Date: 2026-03-04

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: CODE 45 ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT OF SURFACE VESSEL TORPEDO TUBES MARK 32 FOR LAUNCHING MARK 46 AND MARK 54 TORPEDOES, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE SURFACE SHIP ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE WEAPONS LAUNCHERS.

Place of Performance

Location: NEWPORT, NEWPORT County, RHODE ISLAND, 02841

State: Rhode Island Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $7.2 million to MCLAUGHLIN RESEARCH CORPORATION for work described as: CODE 45 ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT OF SURFACE VESSEL TORPEDO TUBES MARK 32 FOR LAUNCHING MARK 46 AND MARK 54 TORPEDOES, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE SURFACE SHIP ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE WEAPONS LAUNCHERS. Key points: 1. Focuses on critical naval defense systems, specifically torpedo launching. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk is moderate, tied to the complexity of defense systems and future development. 4. The sector is defense engineering, a specialized and high-value area.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7.2M for engineering services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of naval weapon systems. Benchmarking against similar defense engineering contracts would provide further context, but the scope suggests a fair price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential defense modernization and maintenance, contributing to national security.

Public Impact

Enhances U.S. Navy's anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities. Supports the development of next-generation naval weapon launch systems. Ensures readiness and effectiveness of surface vessel torpedo systems. Contributes to technological advancement in naval defense.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns in complex defense development.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical components.
Long-term sustainment costs for advanced systems.

Positive Signals

Direct contribution to national security and naval dominance.
Investment in advanced technological capabilities.
Clear scope for engineering and operational support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the defense engineering sector, which is characterized by high technical requirements and significant government investment. Spending benchmarks in this area are often project-specific due to the unique nature of military hardware.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were subcontracting opportunities within this larger award.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Navy is responsible for oversight. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) requires careful monitoring of costs and performance to ensure value for money and prevent overruns.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

Complexity of defense systems development.
Potential for scope creep in future weapon development.
Dependence on specialized engineering expertise.
Long-term sustainment and upgrade costs.
Geopolitical factors influencing defense spending priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $7.2 million to MCLAUGHLIN RESEARCH CORPORATION. CODE 45 ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT OF SURFACE VESSEL TORPEDO TUBES MARK 32 FOR LAUNCHING MARK 46 AND MARK 54 TORPEDOES, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE SURFACE SHIP ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE WEAPONS LAUNCHERS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MCLAUGHLIN 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 $7.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-05. End: 2026-03-04.

What is the projected long-term cost of ownership for the future surface ship anti-submarine warfare weapons launchers being developed under this contract?

The long-term cost of ownership for the future launchers is not detailed in this award. It will depend on factors like maintenance schedules, spare parts, upgrades, and potential obsolescence. A full lifecycle cost analysis would be necessary to estimate these future expenditures accurately.

How does the performance of McLaughlin Research Corporation on similar defense contracts compare to industry benchmarks?

Performance data for McLaughlin Research Corporation on similar defense contracts is not provided here. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance metrics, on-time delivery rates, budget adherence, and quality control records against established industry standards for defense engineering services.

What specific technological advancements are anticipated from the development of future surface ship anti-submarine warfare weapons launchers?

The specific technological advancements are proprietary to the development effort. However, anticipated improvements likely focus on enhanced targeting accuracy, increased launch speed, compatibility with a wider range of torpedoes, reduced signature, and improved integration with modern combat systems for greater anti-submarine warfare effectiveness.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N6660423R3019

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 130 EUGENE O'NEILL DR, NEW LONDON, CT, 06320

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,264,678

Exercised Options: $8,338,449

Current Obligation: $7,208,335

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017819D8089

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline