DoD's $42.5M O&M Contract with Teledyne Brown Engineering: Research & Development Focus
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $42,484,791 ($42.5M)
Contractor: Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2008-07-31
End Date: 2017-06-30
Contract Duration: 3,256 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M)
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35805
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $42.5 million to TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, INC. for work described as: OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M) Key points: 1. Significant investment in R&D services, primarily in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Contract awarded to Teledyne Brown Engineering, a single entity for the duration. 3. Long contract duration (2008-2017) suggests ongoing, potentially complex R&D needs. 4. No small business participation noted, indicating potential missed opportunities for smaller firms.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $42.5M over 9 years for O&M in R&D is substantial. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables, but the cost-plus incentive fee structure suggests an attempt to control costs while incentivizing performance.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher costs than a competed contract.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have received the best possible price for these R&D services.
Public Impact
Supports critical research and development within the Department of Defense. Long-term engagement with a single contractor may foster specialized expertise but limits broader market engagement. O&M spending in R&D can indicate sustained investment in technological advancement.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Sole-source award
- No small business participation
Positive Signals
- Focus on R&D
- Long-term engagement potentially building expertise
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement but requires careful oversight to ensure value and innovation.
Small Business Impact
The contract explicitly states no small business participation. This is a missed opportunity to leverage the innovation and agility of small businesses in the R&D sector.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this contract warrants close oversight to ensure the contractor is meeting performance objectives and that costs are reasonable and justified.
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
- Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
- Sole-source award limits market-based price discovery.
- No small business participation may indicate a missed opportunity for innovation and cost savings.
- Long duration without clear competitive re-evaluation could lead to complacency.
- O&M focus might obscure the true cost of specific R&D advancements.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, al, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $42.5 million to TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, INC.. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $42.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-07-31. End: 2017-06-30.
What specific R&D advancements or outcomes resulted from this $42.5M investment over nine years?
Without detailed reporting on deliverables and outcomes, it's challenging to assess the specific advancements. The contract's focus on O&M suggests support for existing research infrastructure and ongoing projects rather than discrete new developments. Further analysis would require access to project reports and performance metrics to determine the tangible return on investment.
Could alternative, more competitive contracting vehicles have achieved similar R&D support at a lower cost?
Given the sole-source nature, it's highly probable that competitive bidding could have yielded cost savings. Exploring options like Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) or other R&D-focused contract vehicles might have attracted a wider pool of talent and fostered price competition, potentially reducing the overall expenditure for taxpayers.
How effectively did the Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) structure incentivize Teledyne Brown Engineering to achieve optimal R&D outcomes within budget?
The CPIF structure aims to align contractor and government interests by providing incentives for meeting cost and performance targets. However, its effectiveness depends heavily on the clarity of those targets and the rigor of performance monitoring. Without insight into the specific incentive metrics and achieved results, it's difficult to definitively assess how well this mechanism drove value and efficiency in the R&D process.
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 › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE (V)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
Address: 300 SPARKMAN DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35805
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $55,533,084
Exercised Options: $55,533,084
Current Obligation: $42,484,791
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-07-31
Current End Date: 2017-06-30
Potential End Date: 2017-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-08-03
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