DoD Awards $26M for Surface Use Exploitation Disposal Tools & Equipment to iRobot Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,980,689 ($26.0M)

Contractor: Irobot Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2006-03-27

End Date: 2007-02-28

Contract Duration: 338 days

Daily Burn Rate: $76.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200606!060475!1700!N00174!INDIAN HEAD DIVISION NAVAL SURFA!N0017403D0003 !A!N! !N!0009 ! !20060327!20060930!807380951!807380951!807380951!N!IROBOT CORP !63 SOUTH AVE !BURLINGTON !MA!01803!09875!017!25!BURLINGTON !MIDDLESEX !MASS !+000026001240!N!N!000000000000!1385!SURFACE USE EXPLO ORD DISPOSAL TOOLS & EQ !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !334511!E! !5!B!M! !A!D!20131028!B! ! !A! !A!U!J!2!004!K! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!B!N!N! ! !A! !B!A!000!A!B!Y!D! ! ! !1700!N00174!0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: BEDFORD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01730

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $26.0 million to IROBOT CORPORATION for work described as: 200606!060475!1700!N00174!INDIAN HEAD DIVISION NAVAL SURFA!N0017403D0003 !A!N! !N!0009 ! !20060327!20060930!807380951!807380951!807380951!N!IROBOT CORP !63 SOUTH AVE !BURLINGTON !MA!01803!09875!017!25!BURLINGTON !MIDD… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized disposal tools and equipment. 2. iRobot Corporation, a known robotics company, is the awardee. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. The sector is Defense, specifically related to surface use exploitation and disposal.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $25,980,688.50 for a duration of 338 days appears reasonable for specialized equipment. Benchmarking against similar defense contracts for robotics or specialized tools would provide a more precise assessment.

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 where initial sources were excluded but then opened. This method aims for price discovery while potentially leveraging specific expertise.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for specialized defense equipment, with the expectation of value derived from the capabilities provided by iRobot Corporation.

Public Impact

Enhances military capabilities in hazardous material disposal. Supports the Department of Defense's operational readiness. Potential for technological advancements in disposal robotics. Ensures specialized equipment is available for critical missions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 77 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for sole-source justification if 'exclusion of sources' was not fully justified.
Limited visibility into the specific performance metrics of the tools and equipment.

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable company with robotics expertise.
Competitive award process suggests potential for fair pricing.
Clear identification of the need for specialized disposal equipment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically for supplies and equipment related to hazardous material handling and disposal. Spending benchmarks in this niche area are difficult to ascertain without more specific product details, but defense spending on specialized robotics and equipment is substantial.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses. The awardee, iRobot Corporation, is a large business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Defense, which has established oversight mechanisms. However, the effectiveness of oversight depends on the specific program management and reporting requirements associated with this contract.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Contracting
Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed technical specifications.
Ambiguity in the 'exclusion of sources' justification.
No clear performance metrics provided.
Potential for limited competition impact on price.
Limited information on small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $26.0 million to IROBOT CORPORATION. 200606!060475!1700!N00174!INDIAN HEAD DIVISION NAVAL SURFA!N0017403D0003 !A!N! !N!0009 ! !20060327!20060930!807380951!807380951!807380951!N!IROBOT CORP !63 SOUTH AVE !BURLINGTON !MA!01803!09875!017!25!BURLINGTON !MIDDLESEX !MASS !+000026001240!N!N!000000000000!1385!SURFACE USE EXPLO ORD DISPOSAL TOOLS & EQ !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !334511!E! !5!B!M! !A!D!201

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IROBOT CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-03-27. End: 2007-02-28.

What specific capabilities do these 'Surface Use Exploitation Disposal Tools & Equipment' provide, and how do they compare to existing or alternative solutions?

The provided data lacks specific details on the capabilities of the 'Surface Use Exploitation Disposal Tools & Equipment.' Further investigation into the contract's statement of work or technical specifications is required to understand their function, operational advantages, and how they compare to alternative disposal methods or equipment. This information is crucial for assessing the true value and necessity of the awarded contract.

What was the rationale for excluding certain sources prior to the 'full and open competition' phase, and did this exclusion impact the final price?

The rationale for excluding initial sources is not detailed in the provided data. Understanding this exclusion is key to assessing potential risks to competition and price discovery. If specific, highly capable vendors were excluded without clear justification, it could suggest a less competitive environment, potentially leading to a higher price than if all qualified sources had been considered from the outset.

How will the effectiveness and performance of these tools and equipment be measured to ensure they meet the Department of Defense's needs?

The data does not specify the metrics or methods for measuring the effectiveness and performance of the awarded tools and equipment. Robust oversight and clear performance standards are essential to ensure the Department of Defense receives the intended value and that the equipment functions as required for critical disposal missions. Without defined metrics, accountability for performance is diminished.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 63 SOUTH AVENUE, BURLINGTON, MA, 06

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017403D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline