DoD's $19M Amentum R&D Contract: 5 Years of Research & Development Spending
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,973,456 ($19.0M)
Contractor: Amentum Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-05-22
End Date: 2012-09-13
Contract Duration: 1,941 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: R&D
Official Description: 950 ELSG TASK ORDER
Place of Performance
Location: TULLAHOMA, COFFEE County, TENNESSEE, 37388
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $19.0 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: 950 ELSG TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Spending of $18.97M over 5 years on R&D. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk is moderate due to the long duration and R&D nature. 4. Sector is Research and Development, a critical area for technological advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $18.97M over 5 years averages $3.8M annually. Benchmarking R&D contracts is difficult due to unique project scopes, but this appears within a reasonable range for complex research efforts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders likely participated. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for research and development, aiming for technological advancement. The competitive award process suggests efforts were made to secure value for money.
Public Impact
Supports critical research and development for the Department of the Air Force. Long-term investment in scientific and engineering capabilities. Potential for technological breakthroughs with broad applications.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration (5 years) increases risk of cost overruns or scope creep.
- R&D projects inherently carry uncertainty in outcomes and final costs.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes assessing effectiveness challenging.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition suggests a robust procurement process.
- Investment in a key technological area for national security.
- Contract awarded to a single entity, potentially allowing for focused expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541710. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but can be volatile due to project-specific needs and the inherent risks of discovery.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved as subcontractors. The primary awardee is Amentum Technology, Inc., a large business. Further investigation would be needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a structured oversight process. However, the long duration necessitates ongoing monitoring to ensure performance and cost control.
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
- Long contract duration (5 years).
- Research and Development inherently carries high uncertainty.
- Lack of specific performance metrics provided.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, tn, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $19.0 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC.. 950 ELSG TASK ORDER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC..
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 $19.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-05-22. End: 2012-09-13.
What specific research objectives were pursued under this contract, and how do they align with the Air Force's strategic goals?
The contract focused on Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (NAICS 541710). While specific objectives aren't detailed, such R&D typically aims to advance technological capabilities relevant to defense applications, potentially including areas like advanced materials, propulsion systems, or sensor technology, aligning with the Air Force's need for technological superiority.
Given the R&D nature, what mechanisms were in place to manage cost uncertainty and ensure value for taxpayer money?
The contract utilized full and open competition, which aids in price discovery. However, R&D inherently involves uncertainty. Mechanisms likely included phased funding, clear milestone deliverables, and regular performance reviews to track progress and manage costs against evolving research outcomes. The 'Labor Hours' contract type suggests payment based on effort expended.
How effectively did the competitive process translate into cost savings or superior technical outcomes compared to potential sole-source awards?
Full and open competition generally fosters price competitiveness. While direct cost savings are hard to quantify without a sole-source baseline, it likely prevented inflated pricing. Superior technical outcomes are also encouraged by competition, as multiple firms vie to offer the most innovative solutions, potentially leading to better overall program results for the Air Force.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc (UEI: 074103508)
Address: 600 WILLIAM NORTHERN BLVD, TULLAHOMA, TN, 37388
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $491,673,737
Exercised Options: $174,407,352
Current Obligation: $18,973,456
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA872107D0015
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-05-22
Current End Date: 2012-09-13
Potential End Date: 2012-09-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-10-17
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