DoD Awards $26.8M for ARL XC30 Base System and TDS to Cray Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $26,832,589 ($26.8M)
Contractor: Cray Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2014-09-26
End Date: 2015-04-24
Contract Duration: 210 days
Daily Burn Rate: $127.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: ARL XC30 BASE SYSTEM AND TDS
Place of Performance
Location: HYATTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20783
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $26.8 million to CRAY INC. for work described as: ARL XC30 BASE SYSTEM AND TDS Key points: 1. The contract value is $26.8 million, awarded by the Department of the Army. 2. Cray Inc. is the sole contractor for this specific award. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. The duration of the award was 210 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $26.8 million for a base system and TDS appears reasonable given the specialized nature of supercomputing hardware. Benchmarking against similar high-performance computing (HPC) systems is difficult without more detailed specifications.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is positive for taxpayers, as it aims to secure the best value through market forces.
Public Impact
Supports critical research and development within the Department of the Army. Ensures access to advanced computing capabilities for scientific analysis. Potential impact on national security through enhanced computational power.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited duration of the award may indicate a specific project phase.
- Lack of detailed technical specifications makes independent cost assessment challenging.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically high-performance computing. Spending in this area is crucial for defense research and scientific advancement, with benchmarks varying widely based on system complexity and performance.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific contract award. The nature of high-performance computing systems often involves large, specialized vendors.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the Department of the Army, implying internal oversight mechanisms. Further details on specific oversight for this contract are not provided.
Related Government Programs
- Electronic Computer Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in with specialized hardware.
- Risk of technological obsolescence if not regularly upgraded.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical components.
- Limited visibility into specific performance metrics.
Tags
electronic-computer-manufacturing, department-of-defense, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $26.8 million to CRAY INC.. ARL XC30 BASE SYSTEM AND TDS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CRAY INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $26.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-09-26. End: 2015-04-24.
What is the specific performance benchmark for the ARL XC30 Base System and TDS?
The provided data does not specify the performance benchmarks for the ARL XC30 Base System and TDS. This information is crucial for evaluating the system's effectiveness and value for money. Without these metrics, it's difficult to ascertain if the $26.8 million investment yields the expected computational power and scientific output for the Department of the Army's research needs.
What is the long-term strategy for maintaining and upgrading this computing system?
The data only covers the initial award for the base system and TDS, with an end date of April 24, 2015. It does not provide information on the government's long-term strategy for maintenance, upgrades, or future procurements of high-performance computing resources. Understanding this strategy is vital for ensuring continued operational capability and avoiding technological obsolescence.
How does the cost of this system compare to similar systems procured by other federal agencies or research institutions?
A direct cost comparison is challenging without detailed technical specifications and performance metrics of the ARL XC30 system. While awarded under full and open competition, the unique requirements of advanced research computing can lead to price variations. A comprehensive analysis would require benchmarking against systems with comparable processing power, memory, storage, and intended applications.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Electronic Computer Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 901 5TH AVE STE 1000, SEATTLE, WA, 98164
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $32,200,000
Exercised Options: $26,840,000
Current Obligation: $26,832,589
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W912DY13G0022
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-09-26
Current End Date: 2015-04-24
Potential End Date: 2019-04-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-07-16
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