DoD's $140M contract for advanced countermeasure systems awarded to Advanced Concepts and Mission Systems

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,040,053 ($14.0M)

Contractor: Advanced Concepts and Mission Systems

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2003-05-29

End Date: 2011-01-15

Contract Duration: 2,788 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: 200308!000249!1700!A8304 !NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER TRAININ!N6133901D0730 !A!N! !N!0005 !20030529!20040730!102098761!102098761!094373495!N!ADVANCED COUNTERMEASURE SYSTEM!3034 GOLD CANAL DRIVE !RANCHO CORDOVA !CA!95670!59444!067!06!RANCHO CORDOVA !SACRAMENTO !CALIFORNIA!+000001882023!N!N!000000000000!J069!MAINT & REPAIR OF EQ/TRAINING AIDS & DEVICES !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPME!2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541710!E! !5!B!M! !D!D!20090226!B! ! !N!Z!A!U!J!1!001!B! !Z!Y!F! ! !N!B!Y!N! ! !A! !A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: FOLSOM, SACRAMENTO County, CALIFORNIA, 95630

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.0 million to ADVANCED CONCEPTS AND MISSION SYSTEMS for work described as: 200308!000249!1700!A8304 !NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER TRAININ!N6133901D0730 !A!N! !N!0005 !20030529!20040730!102098761!102098761!094373495!N!ADVANCED COUNTERMEASURE SYSTEM!3034 GOLD CANAL DRIVE !RANCHO CORDOVA !CA!95670!59444!067!06!RANCHO CORDOVA !SACRA… Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract's duration of over 7 years indicates a long-term need for these systems. 3. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector is a key area of focus. 4. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about potential alternatives. 5. The firm fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 6. The contract was awarded by the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total value of this contract is $140,400,530.30. Without specific benchmarks for 'Advanced Countermeasure Systems', it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the duration of the contract (over 7 years) suggests a significant investment. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract is a positive indicator for cost control, but the lack of multiple bids in the delivery order phase could imply less competitive pricing than initially achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was initially awarded under full and open competition, which is a positive sign for achieving competitive pricing. However, the data provided pertains to a specific delivery order under a larger contract. The number of bidders for this specific order is not detailed, but the fact that it's a single award suggests that Advanced Concepts and Mission Systems was selected. Further investigation into the bidding for individual delivery orders would be needed to fully assess competition dynamics.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to bid, driving down prices and fostering innovation. However, the specifics of how many bids were received for this particular order are not clear from the provided data.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely military personnel who will utilize the advanced countermeasure systems for training and operational purposes. The contract delivers advanced countermeasure systems, crucial for enhancing defense capabilities. The geographic impact is centered around the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, likely in Florida, and potentially extends to other naval training facilities. Workforce implications could include specialized engineering, manufacturing, and technical support roles within the contractor's organization and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition data for individual delivery orders.
Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or evolving technological obsolescence if not managed carefully.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical system requires robust oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition initially.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty.
Long-term contract indicates a sustained need and potential for stable supplier relationships.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for advanced defense systems, including countermeasures, is highly specialized and often dominated by a few key players. Spending in this area is driven by national security requirements and technological advancements. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within other Department of Defense R&D contracts for similar complex systems.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides or subcontracting plans for this contract. The primary awardee, Advanced Concepts and Mission Systems, is not explicitly identified as a small business. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not discernible from this information, and there's no clear indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Defense's contract management and inspection agencies, such as the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, although detailed operational oversight specifics are usually internal.

Related Government Programs

Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division Contracts
Advanced Countermeasure Technology Development
Department of Defense Research and Development Spending
Military Training Systems Procurement
Defense Contractor Performance Monitoring

Risk Flags

Potential for technological obsolescence due to rapid advancements in countermeasure technology.
Risk of contractor underperformance or failure to meet stringent military specifications.
Long contract duration increases exposure to schedule delays and cost overruns.
Limited competition data for individual delivery orders raises questions about optimal pricing.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical systems necessitates robust oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.0 million to ADVANCED CONCEPTS AND MISSION SYSTEMS. 200308!000249!1700!A8304 !NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER TRAININ!N6133901D0730 !A!N! !N!0005 !20030529!20040730!102098761!102098761!094373495!N!ADVANCED COUNTERMEASURE SYSTEM!3034 GOLD CANAL DRIVE !RANCHO CORDOVA !CA!95670!59444!067!06!RANCHO CORDOVA !SACRAMENTO !CALIFORNIA!+000001882023!N!N!000000000000!J069!MAINT & REPAIR OF EQ/TRAINING AIDS & DEVICES !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPME!2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541710!E! !5!B!M! !D!D!20090226!B

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCED CONCEPTS AND MISSION SYSTEMS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-05-29. End: 2011-01-15.

What is the track record of Advanced Concepts and Mission Systems with the federal government, particularly in delivering advanced countermeasure systems?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Advanced Concepts and Mission Systems (ACMS) has been awarded multiple contracts, primarily within the Department of Defense. While this specific contract for advanced countermeasure systems is substantial, ACMS has a history of supporting various defense programs. To fully assess their track record for this specific type of system, a deeper dive into past performance reviews, on-time delivery rates, and any past disputes or contract modifications related to similar technologies would be necessary. Information on their specific experience with countermeasure systems, beyond this award, is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability in this domain.

How does the awarded price of $140,400,530.30 compare to similar advanced countermeasure system contracts awarded by the DoD?

Benchmarking this contract's value requires comparing it to similar 'Advanced Countermeasure Systems' procured by the Department of Defense. Without access to a database of comparable systems, their specific technical capabilities, and the scope of work, a precise comparison is challenging. However, the $140 million figure over a period of approximately 7.5 years suggests a significant investment. Factors influencing price include technological sophistication, quantity, integration complexity, and research and development components. A detailed analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar Product Service Codes (PSCs) or Federal Supply Codes (FSCs) and similar technical requirements to ascertain if the price is within the expected range for such advanced systems.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include technological obsolescence, as countermeasure technology evolves rapidly; performance risk, ensuring the systems meet stringent military requirements; and schedule risk, given the long duration. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust testing and evaluation protocols, phased development and delivery schedules, and clear performance metrics defined in the contract. The firm fixed-price nature also shifts some financial risk to the contractor. Furthermore, the government's oversight through contract management agencies aims to monitor progress and address issues proactively. The potential for contractor underperformance or failure to deliver cutting-edge technology represents a significant risk that requires continuous monitoring.

How effective has the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) been in managing similar large-scale R&D contracts?

The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) is a major procurer of training systems and simulators for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Their effectiveness in managing large-scale R&D contracts is generally considered strong, given their specialized mission. They have a history of successfully delivering complex training solutions. However, like any large organization managing numerous contracts, challenges can arise. Assessing NAWCTSD's specific effectiveness on this contract would require examining performance metrics, delivery timelines, budget adherence, and user feedback related to the systems procured under their purview. Their experience in the training systems domain suggests a capacity to manage the complexities inherent in this advanced countermeasure system contract.

What are the historical spending patterns for advanced countermeasure systems within the Department of Defense?

Historical spending on advanced countermeasure systems within the Department of Defense has been substantial and is driven by the evolving threat landscape and the need to protect military assets. This spending typically falls under research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) budgets, as well as procurement accounts. Major defense contractors are often involved in developing and supplying these sophisticated technologies. Spending fluctuates based on geopolitical conditions, technological advancements, and specific program requirements. Analyzing past budgets for programs related to electronic warfare, decoys, and other defensive countermeasures would provide a clearer picture of the overall investment trends in this critical defense capability area.

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: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Sierra Nevada Company, LLC (UEI: 094373495)

Address: 3034 GOLD CANAL DRIVE, RANCHO CORDOVA, CA, 95670

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Woman Owned Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6133901D0730

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline