DoD Awards $33.9M Contract for Electronic Test Instruments, Facing Limited Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $33,936,171 ($33.9M)
Contractor: Astronics Test Systems Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2006-09-28
End Date: 2010-01-30
Contract Duration: 1,220 days
Daily Burn Rate: $27.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: 200612!000634!1700!M67854!COMMANDING GENERAL !M6785405D3011 !A!N! !N!0004 ! !20060928!20100110!807617030!807617030!082413956!N!DME CORPORATION !12889 INGENUITY DR !ORLANDO !FL!32826!53000!095!12!ORLANDO !ORANGE !FLORIDA !+000033564976!N!N!000000000000!6625!ELECTRICAL & ELCT PROPERTIES MEAS & TST INSTRUMNTS!A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !811219!E! !5!B!S! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !N!Z!A!N!J!2!002!B! !A!N!A! ! !N!A!N!N!D! ! ! !A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! !1700!M67854!0001! !
Place of Performance
Location: ORLANDO, ORANGE County, FLORIDA, 32826
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $33.9 million to ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC for work described as: 200612!000634!1700!M67854!COMMANDING GENERAL !M6785405D3011 !A!N! !N!0004 ! !20060928!20100110!807617030!807617030!082413956!N!DME CORPORATION !12889 INGENUITY DR !ORLANDO !FL!32826!53000!095!12!ORLANDO !ORAN… Key points: 1. The contract value of $33.9 million for electronic test instruments represents a significant investment by the Department of the Navy. 2. Competition was limited, with Astronics Test Systems Inc. being the sole awardee, raising questions about price discovery. 3. The risk associated with this contract appears moderate, given the specialized nature of the equipment and the limited competition. 4. The sector is IT/Electronics, a critical area for defense readiness and technological advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $33.9 million for electronic test instruments is substantial. Benchmarking against similar contracts is difficult without more specific data on the exact specifications and quantities of the instruments procured.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the single awardee implies that only one firm was capable or willing to meet the requirements.
Taxpayer Impact: The total taxpayer impact is the full contract value of $33.9 million, which is allocated for essential defense equipment.
Public Impact
Ensures the availability of critical electronic test equipment for naval operations. Supports technological readiness and maintenance capabilities within the Department of Defense. Potential for future contract awards in this specialized equipment category.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may lead to higher prices.
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized equipment.
- Contract duration of over 3 years requires ongoing monitoring.
Positive Signals
- Procurement of essential defense technology.
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical naval maintenance and testing functions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT/Electronics sector, specifically for measurement and test instruments. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining the operational readiness of complex defense systems.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to participate or if the requirements were beyond their scope.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is crucial to ensure the delivered equipment meets specifications and that the pricing remains fair throughout the contract's duration, especially given the limited number of bidders.
Related Government Programs
- Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Potential for price escalation
- Specialized equipment requirements
- Technology obsolescence risk
Tags
other-electronic-and-precision-equipment, department-of-defense, fl, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $33.9 million to ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC. 200612!000634!1700!M67854!COMMANDING GENERAL !M6785405D3011 !A!N! !N!0004 ! !20060928!20100110!807617030!807617030!082413956!N!DME CORPORATION !12889 INGENUITY DR !ORLANDO !FL!32826!53000!095!12!ORLANDO !ORANGE !FLORIDA !+000033564976!N!N!000000000000!6625!ELECTRICAL & ELCT PROPERTIES MEAS & TST INSTRUMNTS!A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !811219!E! !5!B!S! ! ! !999
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $33.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-09-28. End: 2010-01-30.
What was the specific nature of the competition that led to only one awardee for this $33.9 million contract?
The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' yet only one awardee, Astronics Test Systems Inc., was selected. This suggests that while the opportunity was broadly advertised, the technical specifications or performance requirements may have been highly specialized, limiting the number of capable bidders. Further investigation into the solicitation details and evaluation criteria would clarify why only one firm met all requirements.
How does the unit cost of these electronic test instruments compare to industry benchmarks, considering the contract's total value?
Without specific details on the quantity and exact model of the electronic test instruments procured, a precise per-unit cost benchmark is not feasible. The total contract value of $33.9 million for 'Electrical & Electronic Properties Measurement & Test Instruments' and 'Electronics and Communication Equipment' suggests a significant investment. A detailed cost analysis of the awarded items against similar commercial or government procurements would be necessary to assess value for money.
What is the long-term effectiveness and technological relevance of the procured electronic test instruments for the Department of the Navy?
The effectiveness and relevance depend on the specific capabilities of the instruments and how they align with the Navy's evolving technological needs. Given the contract award date (2006) and end date (2010), the technology may be nearing obsolescence. Periodic reviews of the procured equipment's performance and its continued utility in supporting modern naval systems would be essential to gauge long-term effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance › Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Astronics Corporation (UEI: 049829302)
Address: 12889 INGENUITY DR, ORLANDO, FL, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: M6785405D3011
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-09-28
Current End Date: 2010-01-30
Potential End Date: 2010-01-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2009-12-04
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