DoD's $22M ATEP Task Order for OPIR Support Awarded to Ball Aerospace

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,977,697 ($22.0M)

Contractor: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2012-02-03

End Date: 2014-01-20

Contract Duration: 717 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: ATEP, FY12 OPIR PRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS SUPPORT TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80301

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $22.0 million to BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP. for work described as: ATEP, FY12 OPIR PRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS SUPPORT TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. for $21.98M. 2. Task order falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330). 3. Full and open competition was utilized. 4. Contract duration was 717 days. 5. No small business participation noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The awarded amount is $21.98M over 717 days. Benchmarking against similar engineering services contracts is difficult without more specific performance data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for taxpayer value, as it allows for a wider range of potential bidders, which can drive down costs.

Public Impact

Supports Department of Defense operations, specifically related to OPIR (Overhead Persistent Infrared) production and analysis. The contract duration of nearly two years suggests a significant and ongoing need for these specialized engineering services. Awarded by the Defense Contract Management Agency, indicating a focus on defense-related procurement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize contractor to increase costs.
No small business participation.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Clear task order for OPIR production and analysis.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, which is crucial for defense applications like Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) systems. Spending in this sector is often high due to the complexity and specialized nature of defense technology.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. This could be due to the specialized nature of the work or the size of the contract, which may be beyond the capacity of many small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Defense Contract Management Agency, which is responsible for overseeing defense contracts. Further oversight would involve reviewing performance reports and ensuring adherence to the Cost Plus Fixed Fee terms.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
No small business participation.
Potential for cost overruns without stringent oversight.
Limited insight into specific performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $22.0 million to BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP.. ATEP, FY12 OPIR PRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS SUPPORT TASK ORDER

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 (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-02-03. End: 2014-01-20.

What specific OPIR production and analysis capabilities does Ball Aerospace provide under this contract, and how do they align with current DoD requirements?

This contract likely supports the development, maintenance, or enhancement of systems related to Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) data. This could include processing raw sensor data, analyzing infrared signatures of targets, generating actionable intelligence, and ensuring the timely delivery of this information to military decision-makers. The alignment with DoD requirements would depend on the specific mission needs and technological advancements in the OPIR domain.

Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, what mechanisms were in place to control costs and ensure the government received fair value for the services rendered?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require robust government oversight to manage costs effectively. Mechanisms typically include detailed audits of contractor expenses, regular performance reviews to ensure milestones are met, and clear definitions of allowable costs. The fixed fee component provides some incentive for the contractor to control costs, as their profit is fixed regardless of the final cost incurred.

How does the performance of this task order contribute to the broader effectiveness of the Department of Defense's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities?

Effective OPIR production and analysis are critical for DoD's ISR capabilities, providing essential information on missile launches, troop movements, and other strategic activities. This task order, by ensuring continued support for these functions, directly contributes to maintaining situational awareness, enabling rapid response, and ultimately enhancing the overall effectiveness of military operations and national security.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Ball Corp (UEI: 006419147)

Address: 1600 COMMERCE ST, BOULDER, CO, 80301

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,977,697

Exercised Options: $21,977,697

Current Obligation: $21,977,697

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA860409D7976

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline