DoD's $178M Missile Defense R&D Contract Awarded to Brown International Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,311,054 ($14.3M)

Contractor: Brown International Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2002-08-29

End Date: 2009-05-30

Contract Duration: 2,466 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (TWO OR MORE)

Sector: R&D

Official Description: 200212!002829!2100!SG60 !USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !DASG6002C0076 !A!N! !Y! !20020829!20040829!178129946!178129946!178129946!N!BROWN INTERNATONAL CORP !2103-A WEST FERRY WAY !HUNTSVILLE !AL!35801!37000!089!01!HUNTSVILLE !MADISON !ALABAMA !+000001832000!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! !A!U!U!2!002!E! !Z!Y!Z! ! !N!B!N!N! ! !A! !A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001!

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35801

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.3 million to BROWN INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: 200212!002829!2100!SG60 !USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !DASG6002C0076 !A!N! !Y! !20020829!20040829!178129946!178129946!178129946!N!BROWN INTERNATONAL CORP !2103-A WEST FERRY WAY !HUNTSVILLE !AL!35801!37000!089!01!HUNTSVILLE !MADIS… Key points: 1. Contract focused on advanced technology development for missile and space systems. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified bidders. 3. Duration of the contract was over 6 years, suggesting a substantial project scope. 4. The contract was a combination type, potentially involving multiple service or product deliveries. 5. The contractor, Brown International Corp., is based in Huntsville, Alabama, a hub for aerospace and defense. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code points to R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount was $178,129,946 over approximately 6.8 years. Without specific performance metrics or deliverables, it's challenging to definitively benchmark value for money. However, the duration suggests a significant investment in research and development. Comparing this to similar R&D contracts in missile defense would provide better context for pricing and efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data indicates there were 2 bids received. A competitive environment with multiple bidders generally supports price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of potential contractors to compete, potentially driving down costs and improving the quality of services or products offered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Defense, specifically the Army, through advancements in ballistic missile defense systems. The contract supports the development of advanced technologies crucial for national security. The geographic impact is concentrated in Huntsville, Alabama, where the contractor is located, potentially creating or sustaining high-skilled jobs. The services delivered are research and development, focusing on cutting-edge solutions for missile and space systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and effectiveness of the R&D investment.
The long contract duration could introduce risks related to technological obsolescence or shifting defense priorities.
Limited information on the specific nature of the 'advanced technology development' makes it hard to gauge the innovation and potential impact.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contractor is located in a region known for its defense and aerospace expertise.
The contract addresses a critical area of national security: ballistic missile defense.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on missile and space systems. The market for defense R&D is characterized by high specialization, significant government investment, and long development cycles. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale R&D contracts within the Department of Defense for similar technological areas, such as advanced materials, propulsion systems, or sensor technology.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the contractor, Brown International Corporation, is likely a large business given the contract value. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract appears limited, though larger prime contractors often engage small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this Department of Defense contract would typically fall under the purview of the relevant Army contracting command and program executive office. Inspector General investigations could be initiated if fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide basic award details, but detailed R&D progress reports are often sensitive and not publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Missile Defense Agency Programs
Advanced Technology Development Contracts
Department of Defense Research and Development
Space Systems Development
Ballistic Missile Defense Systems

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of technological obsolescence.
Limited public data on specific R&D deliverables hinders value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.3 million to BROWN INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. 200212!002829!2100!SG60 !USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !DASG6002C0076 !A!N! !Y! !20020829!20040829!178129946!178129946!178129946!N!BROWN INTERNATONAL CORP !2103-A WEST FERRY WAY !HUNTSVILLE !AL!35801!37000!089!01!HUNTSVILLE !MADISON !ALABAMA !+000001832000!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 BROWN INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2002-08-29. End: 2009-05-30.

What specific technological advancements did Brown International Corporation deliver under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact technological advancements delivered by Brown International Corporation under contract DASG6002C0076. The contract is categorized under 'RDTE/MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS-ADV TECH DEV' and specifically relates to 'BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYS'. This suggests the work involved research and development into novel or improved technologies for missile defense. However, the granular details of the R&D outcomes, such as prototypes developed, patents filed, or specific performance improvements achieved, are not publicly available in this dataset. Such information is often proprietary or detailed in internal government reports and program reviews.

How does the $178 million award compare to other R&D contracts in the missile defense sector?

The $178 million award for missile defense R&D is a substantial sum, indicative of a significant project. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against the average and median award values for similar R&D contracts within the missile defense domain over a comparable timeframe. For instance, contracts awarded by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) or specific Army/Air Force research initiatives for advanced missile defense technologies could serve as comparators. Without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively state whether this represents a high, low, or average investment. However, given the critical nature of missile defense, large R&D investments are common.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones for this contract?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or milestones for contract DASG6002C0076. R&D contracts, especially those focused on 'advanced technology development,' often have milestones tied to research progress, feasibility studies, prototype development, and testing phases rather than fixed performance metrics common in service or production contracts. The government typically monitors progress through technical reviews, reports, and demonstrations. The absence of explicit KPIs in this summary data suggests that either they were highly technical and not included, or the contract focused on exploratory research where specific outcomes are less predictable.

What is the track record of Brown International Corporation in securing and executing large defense R&D contracts?

Brown International Corporation, based in Huntsville, AL, has been awarded this $178 million contract for missile defense R&D. While this award indicates a capability to secure significant government contracts, a comprehensive assessment of their track record would require analyzing their entire contract history. This includes the number and value of previous awards, performance ratings on past contracts (if available), and their specialization in R&D versus other contract types. Their location in Huntsville suggests potential alignment with the region's strong aerospace and defense industry base, which often supports companies with relevant expertise for such R&D efforts.

Were there any identified risks or challenges associated with this contract during its lifecycle?

The provided summary data does not explicitly list risks or challenges encountered during the lifecycle of contract DASG6002C0076. However, typical risks associated with large, long-duration R&D contracts in defense include technological hurdles (research proving more difficult than anticipated), budget fluctuations, changes in strategic priorities, contractor performance issues, and potential cost overruns. The fact that the contract was awarded under full and open competition and had a duration of over 6 years suggests that initial risk assessments were managed, but unforeseen challenges could still have arisen during execution.

How has spending on missile defense R&D evolved over the years, and where does this contract fit in?

Spending on missile defense R&D has generally been a significant and consistent priority for the U.S. Department of Defense, particularly following evolving geopolitical threats. This $178 million contract, awarded in the early 2000s (2002-2009), represents a specific investment within that broader trend. Analyzing historical spending patterns would involve looking at aggregate DoD R&D budgets, specifically allocations to missile defense programs over decades. This contract fits within a period of heightened focus on missile defense capabilities, likely contributing to the development of systems aimed at countering emerging threats during that era.

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: COMBINATION (TWO OR MORE) (2)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Aarcorp (UEI: 005425814)

Address: 2103-A WEST FERRY WAY, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 05

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline