DoD awards $13.8M for Missile and Space Systems R&D to ATK Aerospace Company Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,884,754 ($13.9M)
Contractor: ATK Launch Systems LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2002-02-04
End Date: 2010-09-09
Contract Duration: 3,139 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: 200207!000222!2100!SG60 !USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !DASG6002C0023 !A!N! !N! !20020204!20030131!001705029!001705029!618705925!N!ATK AEROSPACE COMPANY INC !8400 W 5000 S !MAGNA !UT!84044!47290!035!49!MAGNA !SALT LAKE !UTAH !+000000305557!N!N!000000000000!AC23!RDTE/MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS-ADV TECH DEV !A2 !MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS !1CAA!BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYS !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !D!U!U!1!001!N!1G!Z!Y!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!A!A!A!000!A!D!N! ! ! !Y! ! !0001!
Place of Performance
Location: MAGNA, SALT LAKE County, UTAH, 84044
State: Utah Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $13.9 million to ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS LLC for work described as: 200207!000222!2100!SG60 !USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !DASG6002C0023 !A!N! !N! !20020204!20030131!001705029!001705029!618705925!N!ATK AEROSPACE COMPANY INC !8400 W 5000 S !MAGNA !UT!84044!47290!035!49!MAGNA !SALT … Key points: 1. The contract focuses on advanced technology development for ballistic missile defense systems. 2. ATK Aerospace Company Inc. is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract duration is substantial at over 8 years, indicating a long-term project. 4. The sector is Research and Development, specifically within missile and space systems.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $13.8M over 8 years is difficult to assess without specific performance metrics or comparable projects. The 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning there was no open competition. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this significant R&D contract may result in a higher overall cost to taxpayers than if multiple vendors had competed.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The long contract duration could indicate a critical but potentially costly national security program. Lack of transparency in the sole-source award process hinders public understanding of value for money.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Long contract duration
- Cost-plus contract type
Positive Signals
- Focus on advanced technology development
- Potential for significant national security impact
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically for missile and space systems. Spending in this area is critical for national defense but requires careful oversight to ensure efficiency.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract award. The focus appears to be on a large, established aerospace company.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure fair pricing and effective execution of the R&D objectives. The long duration also necessitates ongoing monitoring.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost overruns
- Long contract duration
- Limited public transparency
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ut, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $13.9 million to ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS LLC. 200207!000222!2100!SG60 !USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !DASG6002C0023 !A!N! !N! !20020204!20030131!001705029!001705029!618705925!N!ATK AEROSPACE COMPANY INC !8400 W 5000 S !MAGNA !UT!84044!47290!035!49!MAGNA !SALT LAKE !UTAH !+000000305557!N!N!000000000000!AC23!RDTE/MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS-ADV TECH DEV !A2 !MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS !1CAA!BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYS !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $13.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2002-02-04. End: 2010-09-09.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this R&D contract, and how will their success be measured?
The contract specifies 'Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' with a focus on 'MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS-ADV TECH DEV' and 'BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYS'. Success metrics would typically involve achieving specific technical milestones, demonstrating prototype capabilities, and meeting performance requirements outlined in the contract's Statement of Work. These details are usually proprietary and not publicly disclosed.
Given the sole-source award, what steps were taken to ensure the 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' structure resulted in a fair and reasonable price?
In sole-source procurements, the government typically conducts a thorough cost and price analysis. This involves reviewing the contractor's proposed costs, applying historical data, and potentially using independent government cost estimates. The 'fixed fee' component aims to provide the contractor with an incentive to control costs, but the overall reasonableness is assessed through detailed negotiation and justification.
How does the 8-year duration of this contract align with typical R&D cycles for advanced missile defense systems?
Advanced R&D, particularly in complex fields like ballistic missile defense, often involves long development cycles due to the inherent technical challenges, iterative testing, and integration requirements. An 8-year duration, while substantial, is not uncommon for programs aiming to develop cutting-edge defense technologies from concept to potential deployment readiness.
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: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems LLC (UEI: 618705925)
Address: 5000 S 8400 W, MAGNA, UT, 02
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2002-02-04
Current End Date: 2010-09-09
Potential End Date: 2010-09-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-07-11
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