DoD awards $17.5M for 227 iRobot Fastac Robotic Systems under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,509,191 ($17.5M)

Contractor: Irobot Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-07-17

End Date: 2008-12-31

Contract Duration: 167 days

Daily Burn Rate: $104.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROCUREMENT OF 227 FASTAC ROBOTIC SYSTEMS.

Place of Performance

Location: BURLINGTON, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01803

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.5 million to IROBOT CORPORATION for work described as: PROCUREMENT OF 227 FASTAC ROBOTIC SYSTEMS. Key points: 1. The contract for robotic systems was awarded to iRobot Corporation. 2. Spending on this contract was $17.5 million. 3. The procurement falls under the 'All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing' NAICS code. 4. This contract was awarded under a full and open competition method.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $17.5 million for 227 units suggests a per-unit cost of approximately $77,100. Benchmarking this against similar advanced robotic systems requires detailed specifications, but this price point appears within a reasonable range for specialized military hardware.

Cost Per Unit: $77,100

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for taxpayer value, as it encourages a competitive marketplace and aims to secure favorable pricing.

Public Impact

Enhances military operational capabilities with advanced robotic systems. Supports the Department of the Army's modernization efforts. Procurement of specialized machinery contributes to the defense industrial base.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Limited contract duration (167 days) may not reflect long-term sustainment needs.
  • Specific performance metrics and operational effectiveness data are not detailed.
  • Reliance on a single vendor for a critical system could pose future supply chain risks.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
  • Procurement of advanced technology aligns with military modernization goals.
  • Clear contract type (Firm Fixed Price) provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

The procurement of robotic systems falls under the general machinery manufacturing sector. Spending benchmarks for similar specialized military robotics can vary significantly based on complexity and intended use, but $17.5 million for 227 units suggests a moderate investment in this area.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the prime contractor is iRobot Corporation, a well-established company. There is no specific information provided regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses on this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Defense, which has established oversight mechanisms for defense procurements. However, the provided data does not detail specific oversight activities or accountability measures for this contract.

Related Government Programs

  • All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for vendor lock-in for future sustainment.
  • Limited contract duration may not cover full lifecycle needs.
  • Lack of detailed performance data in public records.
  • High per-unit cost requires justification through demonstrated capability.

Tags

all-other-miscellaneous-general-purpose-, department-of-defense, ma, do, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.5 million to IROBOT CORPORATION. PROCUREMENT OF 227 FASTAC ROBOTIC SYSTEMS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IROBOT CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-07-17. End: 2008-12-31.

What is the expected operational lifespan and maintenance cost of these robotic systems?

The provided data does not specify the expected operational lifespan or ongoing maintenance costs for the Fastac robotic systems. Further analysis would require access to technical specifications, support contracts, and lifecycle cost estimates to fully assess the long-term value and total cost of ownership.

How does the performance of these robotic systems compare to alternative solutions available in the market?

The data does not offer comparative performance metrics against alternative robotic systems. A thorough assessment would involve reviewing the technical capabilities, reliability, and suitability of the iRobot Fastac systems against other available technologies to ensure optimal effectiveness for the intended military applications.

What are the potential risks associated with the sole-source nature of the prime contractor for future sustainment and upgrades?

While this specific contract was awarded under full and open competition, future sustainment and upgrades could potentially face sole-source risks if iRobot remains the only provider. This could lead to higher costs and limited options for the Department of Defense, necessitating careful contract management and potential market research for future needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingOther General Purpose Machinery ManufacturingAll Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: TWO STEP

Solicitation ID: W900KK07B0001

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 63 SOUTH AVE, BURLINGTON, MA, 06

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,509,191

Exercised Options: $17,509,191

Current Obligation: $17,509,191

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W900KK08D0033

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2008-07-17

Current End Date: 2008-12-31

Potential End Date: 2008-12-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2010-08-19

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