DHS awards $2.46M R&D contract for passenger self-screening technology to Voxel Radar GmbH

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,463,713 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Voxel Radar Gmbh

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-09-30

End Date: 2026-06-29

Contract Duration: 1,733 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: VOXEL RADAR - PASSENGER SELF SCREENING BAA CALL TTA 2

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.5 million to VOXEL RADAR GMBH for work described as: VOXEL RADAR - PASSENGER SELF SCREENING BAA CALL TTA 2 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on research and development for advanced passenger screening systems. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of nearly five years indicates a long-term development effort. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. The specific NAICS code points to a specialized area within physical sciences R&D. 6. Contractor Voxel Radar GmbH is a key player in this niche technology area.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.46 million for a nearly five-year R&D effort appears reasonable for specialized technology development. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in advanced screening technologies is challenging due to the niche nature of the work. However, the fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the Department of Homeland Security, mitigating some financial risk. The value proposition hinges on the successful development of the 'passenger self-screening' technology.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. With 9 bidders participating, the competition level appears healthy for this specialized R&D requirement. A higher number of bidders generally suggests a more robust market and potentially better price discovery, although the technical expertise required may limit the pool of qualified offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process for R&D contracts like this helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging innovation among competing firms.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Homeland Security and its mission to enhance border and transportation security. The contract aims to deliver advancements in passenger self-screening technology, potentially improving efficiency and effectiveness at security checkpoints. The geographic impact is likely focused on federal agencies and transportation hubs within the United States. Workforce implications may include specialized R&D roles for engineers and scientists, both within the contractor's organization and potentially through subcontracting.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if R&D proves more complex than anticipated, despite fixed-price structure.
Risk of technology not meeting performance requirements or becoming obsolete before deployment.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical R&D in a specialized field.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type provides cost control and predictability for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market and potential for innovation.
Contract duration allows for thorough development and testing of the technology.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically focusing on advanced screening technologies. The market for security and screening solutions is significant, driven by national security concerns and the need for efficient passenger processing. This contract represents a targeted investment in innovation within this specialized sub-sector, aiming to leverage private sector expertise for government needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside provisions. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain or if there are opportunities for them to participate in future phases.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations. Performance monitoring, milestone reviews, and financial audits are standard accountability measures. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific R&D details may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) technology development programs
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) science and technology initiatives
Advanced screening technology research contracts
Border security technology R&D

Risk Flags

Potential for R&D project delays
Technology performance risk
Market obsolescence risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.5 million to VOXEL RADAR GMBH. VOXEL RADAR - PASSENGER SELF SCREENING BAA CALL TTA 2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VOXEL RADAR GMBH.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-30. End: 2026-06-29.

What is Voxel Radar GmbH's track record with government contracts, particularly in R&D for security technologies?

Information on Voxel Radar GmbH's specific track record with government contracts, especially within the Department of Homeland Security or for similar R&D projects in security technology, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to identify past awards, performance history, and any reported issues. Understanding their experience with fixed-price R&D contracts and their success in delivering complex technological solutions would be crucial for assessing their capability and reliability in executing this current award.

How does the $2.46 million value compare to similar R&D contracts for passenger screening technology?

Benchmarking the $2.46 million value for this nearly five-year R&D contract against similar efforts is challenging without more specific market data. R&D contracts are highly variable due to the innovative nature of the work, the specific technological advancements sought, and the maturity of the technology. Contracts for basic research might be smaller, while those for advanced development and prototyping of complex systems could be significantly larger. The value here appears moderate for a specialized R&D project, but its true competitiveness depends on the scope, technical risk, and expected outcomes compared to other government investments in similar areas.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific R&D contract for passenger self-screening?

The primary risks associated with this R&D contract include technological feasibility and performance, schedule delays, and potential cost overruns (though mitigated by fixed-price). Developing novel self-screening technology may encounter unforeseen technical hurdles, leading to performance shortfalls or the inability to meet operational requirements. The long duration increases the risk of market or threat landscape changes rendering the technology obsolete. Contractor performance and management of the R&D process are also key risk factors. Ensuring the technology is scalable, reliable, and integrates with existing security infrastructure presents further challenges.

What is the expected program effectiveness and impact of the developed passenger self-screening technology?

The expected program effectiveness centers on enhancing the efficiency and potentially the accuracy of passenger screening processes. Successful development could lead to reduced wait times at security checkpoints, improved passenger experience, and potentially better detection capabilities for threats. The impact could be significant for transportation security, allowing security personnel to focus on more complex tasks or higher-risk individuals. However, the actual effectiveness will depend on the technology's performance in real-world operational environments and its ability to be deployed widely and reliably.

How has DHS's spending on passenger screening R&D evolved over the past five years?

Analyzing DHS's historical spending on passenger screening R&D over the past five years would require accessing detailed budget and contract award data. This would involve looking at trends in funding allocated to science and technology directorates, specific program offices like the TSA's innovation efforts, and the types of contracts awarded (e.g., R&D, prototypes, studies). Understanding these trends would provide context for the current $2.46 million award, indicating whether DHS is increasing, decreasing, or maintaining its investment in this area and the types of technologies it prioritizes.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Transportation R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 70RSAT20RB00000002

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: RADLKOFERSTR. 2, MUNCHEN

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,463,713

Exercised Options: $2,463,713

Current Obligation: $2,463,713

Actual Outlays: $1,303,097

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Timeline