Air Force awards $36.3M contract to A-Tech Corporation for basic research in weapons systems
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,685,228 ($10.7M)
Contractor: Bluehalo Labs, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2001-03-09
End Date: 2011-02-28
Contract Duration: 3,643 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: 200106!000247!5700!GS03 !DET 8, AFRL/PK (SUPPORTS DE) !F2960101D0051 !A!N!*!N!0002 !20010309!20020228!081475873!081475873!081475873!N!A-TECH CORPORATION !1900 RANDOLPH ROAD SE !ALBUQUERQUE !NM!87106!36300!001!35!KIRTLAND AFB !BERNALILLO !NEW MEXICO!+000000262000!N!N!000000000000!AC51!RDTE/WEAPONS-BASIC RESEARCH !A5 !WEAPONS !3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541710!*!*!5!B!S! !*!*!*!B!*!*!N!Z!A !N!U!2!001!K! !Z!Y!Z! ! !N!A!Y!N!D! ! ! !D!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001!
Place of Performance
Location: ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87123
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $10.7 million to BLUEHALO LABS, LLC for work described as: 200106!000247!5700!GS03 !DET 8, AFRL/PK (SUPPORTS DE) !F2960101D0051 !A!N!*!N!0002 !20010309!20020228!081475873!081475873!081475873!N!A-TECH CORPORATION !1900 RANDOLPH ROAD SE !ALBUQUERQUE !NM!87106!36300!001!35!KIRTLAND AFB !BERNA… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for basic research in weapons systems, a critical area for defense. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate selection process. 3. The contract value of $36.3M is significant for R&D, indicating substantial investment. 4. The sector is Research and Development, specifically focused on weapons technology.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $36.3M for a duration of approximately 10 years (2001-2011) suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific deliverables or benchmarks, assessing value is difficult. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This implies that while competition was sought, certain sources were excluded, potentially limiting the breadth of competitive proposals and price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is the $36.3M investment in R&D. The effectiveness of this spending in advancing weapons technology will determine the ultimate return on investment for taxpayers.
Public Impact
Advancement of national defense capabilities through research into advanced weapons systems. Potential for technological breakthroughs that could enhance military effectiveness and security. Investment in scientific and engineering expertise within the defense sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can incentivize contractor spending without direct cost savings.
- The long duration of the contract (nearly 10 years) may not reflect current technological needs.
- Exclusion of sources in competition could limit innovation and potentially increase costs.
Positive Signals
- Focus on critical R&D for national security.
- Awarded to a single entity, potentially allowing for specialized expertise development.
- Long-term investment in a specific research area.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on weapons systems. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining a technological edge in defense. Benchmarks for R&D contracts vary widely based on scope and duration, but a $36.3M award over nearly a decade indicates a significant, long-term commitment.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/PK) and the Department of Defense. The effectiveness of oversight would depend on regular reviews, milestone tracking, and performance evaluations to ensure the research objectives are met within budget.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure.
- Limited transparency on reasons for source exclusion impacting competition.
- Long contract duration may not align with rapidly evolving technology needs.
- Lack of specific outcome metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, nm, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $10.7 million to BLUEHALO LABS, LLC. 200106!000247!5700!GS03 !DET 8, AFRL/PK (SUPPORTS DE) !F2960101D0051 !A!N!*!N!0002 !20010309!20020228!081475873!081475873!081475873!N!A-TECH CORPORATION !1900 RANDOLPH ROAD SE !ALBUQUERQUE !NM!87106!36300!001!35!KIRTLAND AFB !BERNALILLO !NEW MEXICO!+000000262000!N!N!000000000000!AC51!RDTE/WEAPONS-BASIC RESEARCH !A5 !WEAPONS !3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541710!*!*!5!B!S! !*!*!*!B!*!*!N!
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BLUEHALO LABS, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $10.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2001-03-09. End: 2011-02-28.
What specific technological advancements or breakthroughs were achieved as a result of this $36.3M investment in basic weapons research?
The provided data does not detail the specific outcomes or deliverables of the research. To assess the value, one would need to examine project reports, patents, or subsequent technological implementations stemming from this contract. Without this information, it's difficult to quantify the return on investment beyond the initial allocation of funds.
What were the primary reasons for excluding certain sources during the 'full and open competition' process, and did this exclusion impact the final contract price?
The rationale for excluding specific sources is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, exclusions might be based on proprietary technology, unique capabilities, or national security concerns. The impact on price is unknown; while exclusions can sometimes limit competition and raise prices, they might also be necessary for specialized research requiring specific expertise not widely available.
How effectively did the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure align with the goals of basic research, and were there mechanisms in place to control potential cost overruns?
Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can be suitable for basic research where the scope is not fully defined. However, they carry a risk of cost overruns if not rigorously managed. The effectiveness hinges on strong government oversight, clear performance metrics, and potentially incentive structures tied to achieving research milestones within projected costs, which are not detailed here.
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 › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1900 RANDOLPH ROAD SE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87106
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Woman Owned Business
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: F2960101D0051
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2001-03-09
Current End Date: 2011-02-28
Potential End Date: 2011-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-10-17
More Contracts from Bluehalo Labs, LLC
- Federal Contract — $11.7M (Department of Defense)
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)