Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. awarded $97.2M for advanced weapons technology development

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,659,587 ($14.7M)

Contractor: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-06-13

End Date: 2009-07-30

Contract Duration: 1,508 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: 200509!000585!5700!FA9451!DET 8 AFRL/PKD !FA945104D0210 !A!N! !Y!0010 ! !20050613!20110331!085270270!926451519!006419147!N!BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES !1600 COMMERCE ST !BOULDER !CO!80301!07850!013!08!BOULDER !BOULDER !COLORADO !+000003800000!N!N!000000000000!AC53!RDTE/WEAPONS-ADV TECH DEV !A5 !WEAPONS !000 !* !541710!E! !3!B!S! ! !D!20090331!B!A! !B! !A!N!U!2!003!E! !Z!Y!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !Z!Z!A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! !Y! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87115

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.7 million to BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP. for work described as: 200509!000585!5700!FA9451!DET 8 AFRL/PKD !FA945104D0210 !A!N! !Y!0010 ! !20050613!20110331!085270270!926451519!006419147!N!BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES !1600 COMMERCE ST !BOULDER !CO!80301!07850!013!08!BOULDER !BOUL… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences, specifically advanced weapons technology. 2. The contract was competed fully and openly, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of approximately 4 years suggests a significant, long-term project. 4. The contractor, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., has a track record in aerospace and defense. 5. The contract falls under the Research and Development category, focusing on innovation and future capabilities. 6. The award amount of $97.2 million represents a substantial investment in defense technology.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $97.2 million for a 4-year R&D effort in advanced weapons technology appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized R&D in defense is challenging due to the unique nature of the work. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure suggests that the government aimed to control costs while incentivizing the contractor to perform efficiently. The final award amount was within the initial estimated value, indicating good cost management.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized R&D requirement. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process as it drives down costs and ensures the government receives the best value for its investment in advanced technology.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force, who will receive advanced weapons technology. The services delivered include research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences, focusing on weapons advancement. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, with potential for deployment to various operational theaters. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, and technicians at Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns in R&D projects if not closely managed.
The specialized nature of the technology may limit the pool of future contractors for sustainment or upgrades.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical advanced technology development could pose a long-term risk.

Positive Signals

Award to a known entity in the aerospace and technology sector suggests a degree of reliability.
Full and open competition indicates a robust process for selecting the best offer.
The fixed-fee component of the contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on defense applications. The market for advanced weapons technology is highly specialized, dominated by a few large defense contractors. Spending in this area is driven by national security needs and the continuous pursuit of technological superiority. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of R&D, but significant government investment is typical for cutting-edge defense projects.

Small Business Impact

There is no explicit indication of small business set-asides for this contract. Given the specialized nature of advanced weapons technology R&D, it is likely that the prime contractor, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., will handle the majority of the work. However, opportunities for small businesses may exist as subcontractors, particularly for specialized components or services. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on the extent of subcontracting opportunities offered.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program management office within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures are embedded in the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, requiring detailed reporting and justification of costs. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases and public reporting, though specific technical details of the R&D may be classified.

Related Government Programs

Advanced Weapons Systems Development
Aerospace Research and Development
Defense Technology Innovation
Air Force Research Laboratory Contracts
Weapons System Modernization

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
Dependency on contractor's specialized expertise.
Classification of technology may limit transparency.
Long-term sustainment planning not detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.7 million to BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP.. 200509!000585!5700!FA9451!DET 8 AFRL/PKD !FA945104D0210 !A!N! !Y!0010 ! !20050613!20110331!085270270!926451519!006419147!N!BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES !1600 COMMERCE ST !BOULDER !CO!80301!07850!013!08!BOULDER !BOULDER !COLORADO !+000003800000!N!N!000000000000!AC53!RDTE/WEAPONS-ADV TECH DEV !A5 !WEAPONS !000 !* !541710!E! !3!B!S! ! !D!200

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP..

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 $14.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-06-13. End: 2009-07-30.

What is the track record of Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. in delivering on similar R&D contracts for the Department of Defense?

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has a significant history of performance on complex aerospace and defense contracts. While specific details on past R&D projects in advanced weapons technology may be limited due to classification, the company is known for its expertise in developing sophisticated systems for space and defense applications. Their track record generally indicates a capacity to handle challenging technical requirements and deliver on contractual obligations. Further analysis would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and any reported issues on previous DoD contracts to assess their reliability in this specific domain.

How does the awarded amount of $97.2 million compare to similar advanced weapons technology R&D contracts?

The $97.2 million award for a multi-year R&D effort in advanced weapons technology is substantial but not unusual within the defense sector. Large-scale R&D projects for next-generation military capabilities often require significant investment. Benchmarking is complex due to the proprietary and often classified nature of such technologies. However, contracts for developing advanced missile systems, directed energy weapons, or sophisticated sensor technologies can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars over their lifecycle. This award appears to be in line with the typical investment required for developing cutting-edge defense capabilities.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include technical challenges inherent in advanced R&D, potential cost overruns, and schedule delays. Mitigations are likely in place through the cost-plus-fixed-fee contract structure, which provides incentives for cost control and requires detailed progress reporting. The government's oversight by the contracting officer and program management team is crucial for monitoring technical progress and managing risks. Furthermore, the selection of Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., a reputable contractor, suggests a degree of confidence in their ability to navigate these risks. Contingency planning and phased development milestones would also be standard risk mitigation strategies.

What is the expected effectiveness of the developed technology in enhancing warfighter capabilities?

The expected effectiveness of the technology developed under this contract is directly tied to its intended purpose within advanced weapons systems. As an R&D contract focused on 'WEAPONS/WEAPONS-ADV TECH DEV,' the goal is to create or significantly improve capabilities that provide a strategic or tactical advantage. This could translate to enhanced lethality, improved accuracy, reduced collateral damage, or novel operational modes for future weapon platforms. The specific impact on warfighter capabilities would depend on the precise nature of the technology, which is likely classified, but the investment signifies a belief in its potential to significantly bolster national defense.

How has historical spending in the 'WEAPONS' category by the Department of the Air Force trended over the past decade?

Historical spending by the Department of the Air Force (and the broader DoD) in the 'WEAPONS' category, particularly for advanced technology development, has generally been substantial and subject to shifts based on geopolitical priorities and technological advancements. While specific figures for 'WEAPONS-ADV TECH DEV' are not readily available without deeper database access, overall defense spending on modernization and R&D has remained a significant portion of the budget. Trends often show increased investment during periods of perceived threat escalation or when pursuing disruptive technologies. Analyzing trends would require examining budget requests, appropriations, and contract awards over time, often showing cyclical patterns of investment in new platforms and capabilities.

What is the significance of the 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' contract type for this R&D effort?

The 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' (CPFF) contract type is commonly used for research and development efforts where the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset, or where innovation is a primary objective. In this structure, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing their profit. This provides the government with some cost certainty regarding the contractor's profit margin, while allowing flexibility to adapt the R&D as new information emerges. It incentivizes the contractor to control costs to maximize their fee, but also requires robust government oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract.

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

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Ball Corp (UEI: 006419147)

Address: 1600 COMMERCE ST, BOULDER, CO, 02

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA945104D0210

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline