DoD awards $11.9M R&D contract to Alion Science and Technology for aviation and missile command services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,096,789 ($20.1M)
Contractor: Alion Science and Technology Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2005-08-23
End Date: 2010-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,681 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: 200511!004784!2100!W31P4Q!USA AVIATION AND MISSILE COMMAND!W31P4Q05C0242 !A!N! !N! ! !20050823!20100930!119162332!119162332!119162332!N!ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY C!10 W 35TH ST !CHICAGO !IL!60616!14000!031!17!CHICAGO !COOK !ILLINOIS !+000004838562!N!N!000000000000!AD92!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-APPLIED RESEARCH !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !20200930!B! ! !N!Z!D!N!U!1!001!N!1G!C!Y!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!A!A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !
Place of Performance
Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60616
State: Illinois Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $20.1 million to ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION for work described as: 200511!004784!2100!W31P4Q!USA AVIATION AND MISSILE COMMAND!W31P4Q05C0242 !A!N! !N! ! !20050823!20100930!119162332!119162332!119162332!N!ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY C!10 W 35TH ST !CHICAGO !IL!60616!14000!031!17!CHICAGO !COOK… Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Alion Science and Technology Corporation for aviation and missile command services. 2. The contract is for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 3. Awarded by the Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Army. 4. The contract value is $11,955,000 and was awarded on August 23, 2005, with an end date of March 31, 2010.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value is $11,955,000. Without more specific data on the scope of services and deliverables, it's difficult to benchmark against similar contracts. The 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' pricing structure can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed tightly.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This limits price discovery and may result in a higher price than if multiple vendors had competed.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not have received the best possible price due to a lack of competition.
Public Impact
Supports aviation and missile command research and development, potentially impacting national defense capabilities. The contract duration of over 4 years suggests a significant, ongoing need for these specialized R&D services. Awarded to a single vendor, limiting opportunities for other businesses to compete for this government work.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and potentially increases costs.
- Cost-plus fixed-fee contract type requires careful oversight to manage expenses.
- Lack of detailed service description makes it hard to assess true value for money.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical defense R&D for aviation and missile command.
- Long-term contract indicates a sustained need for specialized expertise.
- Awarded to a known entity, Alion Science and Technology Corporation.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Government spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement and national security, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific research domain.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Alion Science and Technology Corporation, a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this specific award, missing an opportunity for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' contract type necessitates robust oversight from the Department of the Army to ensure that costs are reasonable and that the fixed fee is justified by the work performed. Without specific oversight reports, it's difficult to assess the effectiveness of this oversight.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Potential for cost overruns with 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' structure.
- Lack of transparency on specific R&D deliverables and outcomes.
- No clear small business participation noted.
- Limited public information to assess true value for money.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, il, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $20.1 million to ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. 200511!004784!2100!W31P4Q!USA AVIATION AND MISSILE COMMAND!W31P4Q05C0242 !A!N! !N! ! !20050823!20100930!119162332!119162332!119162332!N!ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY C!10 W 35TH ST !CHICAGO !IL!60616!14000!031!17!CHICAGO !COOK !ILLINOIS !+000004838562!N!N!000000000000!AD92!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-APPLIED RESEARCH !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !202
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-08-23. End: 2010-03-31.
What specific R&D advancements were achieved under this contract, and how do they compare to the investment made?
The contract focused on Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences for aviation and missile command. Without detailed technical reports or performance metrics, it's impossible to quantify the specific advancements or definitively assess the return on the $11.9 million investment. The value is tied to the strategic importance of the R&D outcomes for national defense.
Given the sole-source nature, what steps were taken to ensure the price was fair and reasonable?
When a contract is sole-source, the procuring agency must conduct a price analysis using available cost data, historical prices, or comparisons with similar commercial items. The effectiveness of this price discovery depends on the thoroughness of the agency's analysis and the availability of reliable benchmark data for specialized R&D services.
How effectively did Alion Science and Technology Corporation meet the R&D objectives within the 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' structure?
The 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' structure incentivizes the contractor to control costs to maximize their profit margin (the fixed fee). Assessing effectiveness requires reviewing performance reports, milestone achievements, and any cost overruns or underruns. Without this data, it's presumed the contractor met objectives, but the efficiency and value derived remain unverified.
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 › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 10 W 35TH ST, CHICAGO, IL, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-08-23
Current End Date: 2010-03-31
Potential End Date: 2010-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-07-15
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