DoD's $12.1M Missile Defense R&D Contract Awarded to Signature Research Associates
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,137,182 ($12.1M)
Contractor: Synectic Research and Analysis, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2002-07-01
End Date: 2008-01-02
Contract Duration: 2,011 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: 200210!002216!2100!SG60 !USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !DASG6002C0063 !A!N! !N! !20020701!20040101!034279989!034279989!034279989!N!SIGNATURE RESEARCH ASSOCIATES,!400 MERIDIAN ST NE !HUNTSVILLE !AL!35801!37000!089!01!HUNTSVILLE !MADISON !ALABAMA !+000000750000!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! ! !B! !A!N!U!2!002!E! !Z!Y!Z! ! !N!B!N!Y! ! !Z! !A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001!
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $12.1 million to SYNECTIC RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS, INC. for work described as: 200210!002216!2100!SG60 !USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !DASG6002C0063 !A!N! !N! !20020701!20040101!034279989!034279989!034279989!N!SIGNATURE RESEARCH ASSOCIATES,!400 MERIDIAN ST NE !HUNTSVILLE !AL!35801!37000!089!01!HUNTSVILLE !MADIS… Key points: 1. The contract focuses on advanced technology development for ballistic missile defense systems. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The awardee, Signature Research Associates, is a small business based in Alabama. 4. The contract duration is significant, spanning from 2002 to 2008, with a potential extension to 2011.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value is $12.1M over a period of 6 years (2002-2008). Without specific performance metrics or comparable contracts for similar advanced R&D in missile defense, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' pricing structure can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is generally positive for price discovery. However, the specific details of the bidding process and the number of bids received are not provided, making it hard to assess the effectiveness of the competition in driving down costs.
Taxpayer Impact: The impact on taxpayers is moderate given the $12.1M value. While competition is a positive sign, the 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' structure warrants careful oversight to ensure efficient use of funds.
Public Impact
This contract supports critical national security objectives related to missile defense. The investment in advanced technology development could lead to future enhancements in defense capabilities. The award to a small business in Alabama provides economic benefits to the local region.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus contracts can incentivize spending.
- Long contract duration may indicate complexity or potential for scope creep.
- Limited information on performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition is a positive signal.
- Supports critical national security R&D.
- Award to a small business.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on missile and space systems. Defense R&D spending is a significant portion of the federal budget, with benchmarks varying widely based on technological advancement and strategic priorities.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, Signature Research Associates, is a small business. This contract represents a significant award for the company and contributes to the economic activity in Huntsville, Alabama. Further analysis would be needed to understand the broader impact on the small business defense contracting landscape.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of the Army. Oversight would typically involve monitoring technical progress, cost expenditures, and adherence to contract terms. The 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' structure necessitates robust financial oversight to prevent unnecessary costs.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost-plus contract type can lead to higher costs.
- Long contract duration increases risk of cost overruns and scope creep.
- Limited public data on performance metrics hinders value assessment.
- Potential for technology obsolescence over the contract's extended period.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, al, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $12.1 million to SYNECTIC RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS, INC.. 200210!002216!2100!SG60 !USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !DASG6002C0063 !A!N! !N! !20020701!20040101!034279989!034279989!034279989!N!SIGNATURE RESEARCH ASSOCIATES,!400 MERIDIAN ST NE !HUNTSVILLE !AL!35801!37000!089!01!HUNTSVILLE !MADISON !ALABAMA !+000000750000!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 SYNECTIC RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $12.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2002-07-01. End: 2008-01-02.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this R&D contract, and how do they align with current and future missile defense needs?
The contract specifies 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' with a focus on 'MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS-ADV TECH DEV' and 'BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYS'. Expected advancements likely include improvements in sensor technology, interceptor capabilities, or command and control systems. Alignment with needs would depend on classified strategic assessments of evolving threats and the efficacy of existing defense architectures.
How effectively did the 'full and open competition' process ensure competitive pricing for this advanced R&D effort, given the specialized nature of missile defense technology?
While 'full and open competition' is a procedural positive, its effectiveness in ensuring competitive pricing for highly specialized R&D like ballistic missile defense is variable. The number of qualified bidders, the complexity of the technical requirements, and the specific evaluation criteria all influence the outcome. Without knowing the number of bids received and the relative strengths of each proposal, it's difficult to definitively state how competitive the pricing was.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract, and how has Signature Research Associates performed against them?
Key performance indicators for advanced R&D contracts are often technical milestones, prototype development, testing results, and successful integration of new technologies. Specific KPIs for this contract are not publicly available due to the sensitive nature of missile defense. Performance assessment would rely on government program managers' evaluations of Signature Research Associates' progress against agreed-upon technical objectives and deliverables.
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: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 400 MERIDIAN ST NE, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 05
Business Categories: Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2002-07-01
Current End Date: 2008-01-02
Potential End Date: 2008-01-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-07-11
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