DoD Awards $11M Contract for Chemical Agent Adapters to Smiths Detection Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,033,227 ($11.0M)
Contractor: Smiths Detection Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-04-03
End Date: 2025-12-19
Contract Duration: 991 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: JOINT CHEMICAL AGENT ADAPTER SOLID LIQUID ADAPTER PRODUCTION INCLUDING RELATED SUPPLIES AND SERVICES.
Place of Performance
Location: EDGEWOOD, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21040
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $11.0 million to SMITHS DETECTION INC. for work described as: JOINT CHEMICAL AGENT ADAPTER SOLID LIQUID ADAPTER PRODUCTION INCLUDING RELATED SUPPLIES AND SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, Smiths Detection Inc., for specialized chemical agent adapters. 2. The contract value is $11,033,226.85, with a duration extending to December 2025. 3. The procurement method was 'NOT COMPETED', raising questions about potential price discovery. 4. The sector is Defense, specifically focusing on navigation and guidance systems manufacturing.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $11M for specialized chemical agent adapters appears to be within a reasonable range for niche defense equipment. However, without specific unit cost data or direct comparisons to similar sole-source procurements, a precise valuation is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was sole-sourced ('NOT COMPETED'), indicating a lack of competition. This method limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive bidding process.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price due to the absence of competitive pressure.
Public Impact
Ensures readiness for military personnel by providing essential chemical defense equipment. Supports a specific defense need for specialized adapter technology. Potential for increased costs to taxpayers due to lack of competition.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source procurement limits competition and price discovery.
- Lack of transparency in pricing due to non-competitive award.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical defense requirement for chemical agent adapters.
- Long-term contract ensures supply continuity through December 2025.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically the manufacturing of navigation and guidance systems. Spending in this area is often characterized by high specialization and can involve significant R&D costs, sometimes leading to sole-source awards for unique capabilities.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific procurement, as it was awarded directly to Smiths Detection Inc. Future opportunities for small businesses may exist as subcontractors, but this contract does not appear to directly benefit them.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny from oversight bodies to ensure the price paid is fair and reasonable, and that competition was appropriately waived. Documentation justifying the non-competitive award is crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited transparency in cost justification
Tags
search-detection-navigation-guidance-aer, department-of-defense, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $11.0 million to SMITHS DETECTION INC.. JOINT CHEMICAL AGENT ADAPTER SOLID LIQUID ADAPTER PRODUCTION INCLUDING RELATED SUPPLIES AND SERVICES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SMITHS DETECTION INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $11.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-04-03. End: 2025-12-19.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or the absence of other responsible sources. Agencies must document these reasons thoroughly. To ensure fair pricing, they often rely on historical pricing, independent government cost estimates, or certified cost or pricing data from the contractor, especially for contracts exceeding certain thresholds.
What is the potential risk to national security if this specific chemical agent adapter technology is not readily available from multiple sources?
The risk to national security could be significant if this adapter is critical for protecting personnel against specific chemical threats and Smiths Detection Inc. is the only provider. Dependence on a single source creates vulnerability in supply chain disruptions, price escalations, or if the company faces operational issues. This underscores the importance of robust contingency planning and potentially exploring alternative solutions or domestic production capabilities.
How effective is this procurement in meeting the Department of the Army's long-term chemical defense needs, considering the sole-source nature?
While this procurement ensures the immediate availability of necessary adapters, its long-term effectiveness is questionable due to the sole-source award. It may not drive innovation or cost efficiencies that competition could foster. The Army should consider strategies to foster competition for future requirements or develop alternative sources to mitigate risks associated with single-vendor reliance.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: W911SR20RJCAD
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2202 LAKESIDE BLVD, EDGEWOOD, MD, 21040
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $11,033,227
Exercised Options: $11,033,227
Current Obligation: $11,033,227
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W911SR20D0004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-04-03
Current End Date: 2025-12-19
Potential End Date: 2025-12-19 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-12
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