DoD's $10.5M R&D Contract for Physical Sciences Services Awarded to L-3 Titan Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,464,381 ($10.5M)

Contractor: L-3 Applied Technologies, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2006-05-15

End Date: 2011-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,964 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: 200608!600511!9700!HDTRA1!DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY !DTRA0103D0003 !A!N! !N!0019 ! !20060515!20091130!078730918!078730918!008898843!N!L-3 COMMUNICATIONS TITAN CORPO!3394 CARMEL MOUNTAIN RD !SAN DIEGO !CA!92121!21082!073!06!EAST SAN DIEGO !SAN DIEGO !CALIFORNIA!+000002000000!N!N!000000000000!AB94!RDTE/OTHER COMMUNITY SVCS & DEVELOP-DEMO/VALID !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !541710!E! !5!B!S! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !A!U!R!2!003!B! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!A!A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92121

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $10.5 million to L-3 APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: 200608!600511!9700!HDTRA1!DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY !DTRA0103D0003 !A!N! !N!0019 ! !20060515!20091130!078730918!078730918!008898843!N!L-3 COMMUNICATIONS TITAN CORPO!3394 CARMEL MOUNTAIN RD !SAN DIEGO !CA!92121!21082!073!06!EAST SAN DIEGO !SAN … Key points: 1. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract value is substantial, suggesting significant investment in R&D. 4. The sector is Defense, specifically supporting the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. The total award amount is $10,464,381.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the specific details of the bidding and negotiation are not provided.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced research and development, the ultimate benefit of which will depend on the success of the R&D outcomes.

Public Impact

Supports national security through advanced defense research. Invests in scientific and technological advancements within the physical sciences. Potential for technological spin-offs benefiting other sectors. Contracting process aims for competitive pricing, potentially saving taxpayer money.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can incentivize higher spending.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes assessing value difficult.
Limited information on the specific R&D outcomes and their impact.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports critical defense research for DTRA.
Long-term contract duration allows for sustained R&D efforts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Defense R&D spending is a significant portion of the federal budget, with benchmarks varying widely based on technological advancements and national security priorities.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or achieved.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), a component of the Department of Defense. Oversight would typically involve program managers monitoring progress and expenditures, with potential for audits by DoD Inspector General.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Department of Defense Contracting
Defense Threat Reduction Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPAF structure.
Lack of specific performance metrics for evaluation.
Limited transparency on R&D project details and outcomes.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $10.5 million to L-3 APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. 200608!600511!9700!HDTRA1!DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY !DTRA0103D0003 !A!N! !N!0019 ! !20060515!20091130!078730918!078730918!008898843!N!L-3 COMMUNICATIONS TITAN CORPO!3394 CARMEL MOUNTAIN RD !SAN DIEGO !CA!92121!21082!073!06!EAST SAN DIEGO !SAN DIEGO !CALIFORNIA!+000002000000!N!N!000000000000!AB94!RDTE/OTHER COMMUNITY SVCS & DEVELOP-DEMO/VALID !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !541710!E! !5!B!S! ! ! !999

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is L-3 APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Threat Reduction Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-05-15. End: 2011-09-30.

What specific R&D projects were undertaken, and what were the key deliverables or outcomes?

The provided data does not specify the exact R&D projects. It broadly categorizes the work as 'Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.' Without detailed project descriptions, it's impossible to assess the specific deliverables, milestones achieved, or the ultimate scientific or technological advancements resulting from this contract.

How did the Cost Plus Award Fee structure impact the final cost compared to other contract types?

Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts allow the contractor to recover allowable costs plus a fixed fee that is adjusted based on performance. While CPAF can incentivize meeting or exceeding performance goals, it also carries the risk of higher costs if performance targets are set too low or if the award fee structure is not tightly managed. Without comparative data from similar contracts under different fee structures, it's difficult to definitively state the precise impact on the final cost for this specific contract.

What is the long-term strategic value of this R&D investment for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency?

The strategic value hinges on the successful development of technologies or scientific understanding that enhances DTRA's mission. This could involve advancements in threat detection, mitigation, or response capabilities. The contract's focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences suggests potential applications in areas like advanced materials, sensor technology, or biological countermeasures, all critical for national security.

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 › Community and Regional Development R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

Address: 10770 WATERIDGE CIRCLE, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92121

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

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTRA0103D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline