Dod's $13.1M Space Technology Research Contract Awarded to ATA Aerospace LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,129,310 ($13.1M)
Contractor: ATA Aerospace LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-06-26
End Date: 2012-10-29
Contract Duration: 1,952 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SPACE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, INTEGRATION&TEST (STRAIT) - VSE-Z PROGRAM OFFICE
Place of Performance
Location: ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87123
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $13.1 million to ATA AEROSPACE LLC for work described as: SPACE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, INTEGRATION&TEST (STRAIT) - VSE-Z PROGRAM OFFICE Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $13.1 million, focuses on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, it signifies a competitive procurement process. 3. The contract duration of 1952 days (over 5 years) suggests a significant, long-term project. 4. The 'NM' status code might indicate a specific type of small business set-aside or socioeconomic status, requiring further investigation.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking CPFF contracts in R&D is challenging due to inherent project uncertainty.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a competitive process that allowed all eligible sources to participate after initial exclusions. This method generally promotes price discovery and value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests efforts to secure fair pricing, but the CPFF structure warrants close monitoring to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
Public Impact
Supports advanced space technology research, potentially leading to national security or scientific advancements. The long duration indicates a sustained investment in a specific technological area. The award to ATA AEROSPACE LLC contributes to the growth of companies in the aerospace R&D sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 67 / 10
Warning Flags
- CPFF contract type risks cost overruns.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
- 'NM' status code requires clarification.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition ensures broad market participation.
- Long contract duration suggests strategic importance.
- Focus on R&D aligns with technological advancement goals.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541710. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation and maintaining technological superiority, particularly for defense agencies. Benchmarks vary widely based on the specific R&D area.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and the contractor is not classified as a small business (st: NM, which needs further clarification but is unlikely to denote small business status in this context).
Oversight & Accountability
The 'AW' code 'DO' likely refers to a Departmental Order, suggesting internal DoD oversight. The long duration and CPFF structure necessitate robust oversight to manage costs and ensure deliverables meet objectives.
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
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type.
- Long contract duration (1952 days).
- R&D projects inherently carry uncertainty.
- Ambiguity in 'NM' status code.
- Potential for scope creep in research contracts.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, nm, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $13.1 million to ATA AEROSPACE LLC. SPACE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, INTEGRATION&TEST (STRAIT) - VSE-Z PROGRAM OFFICE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ATA AEROSPACE LLC.
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 $13.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-06-26. End: 2012-10-29.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this $13.1M SPACE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH contract, and how will they benefit the Department of the Air Force?
The contract aims to advance research, analysis, integration, and testing in space technology. Expected benefits include enhanced capabilities for space operations, improved satellite technology, and potentially new defense applications. The specific advancements depend on the project's focus within the broad 'space technology' domain, such as propulsion, communication, or surveillance systems.
Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, what are the primary risks associated with cost control and potential overruns for this contract?
The primary risk with CPFF is that the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs plus a fixed fee, creating less incentive for cost efficiency compared to fixed-price contracts. If the government's estimate of costs is inaccurate or if unforeseen technical challenges arise, the total cost to the government can significantly exceed initial projections without a corresponding increase in the contractor's fee.
How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' procurement method impact the overall value and effectiveness of this R&D contract?
This method, while competitive, implies that certain sources were initially excluded, potentially narrowing the field of bidders. However, 'full and open' ensures that among the remaining eligible sources, competition occurred. This balance aims to achieve value by leveraging specialized expertise while still fostering price competition, contributing to the contract's effectiveness if the selected contractor possesses the necessary R&D capabilities.
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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1300 BRITT ST SE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 01
Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,965,180
Exercised Options: $13,129,310
Current Obligation: $13,129,310
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA945307D0189
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-06-26
Current End Date: 2012-10-29
Potential End Date: 2012-10-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-05-20
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