DoD awards $15.3M for Electronics & Communication Equipment to Orbital Sciences Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,364,044 ($15.4M)

Contractor: Orbital Sciences Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2001-08-17

End Date: 2009-06-30

Contract Duration: 2,874 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: 200111!000134!5700!GV68 !ESC/ACK !F1962801C0058 !A!N!*!N! !20010817!20040714!022829019!876949058!101916062!N!ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION !20301 CENTURY BOULEVARD !GERMANTOWN !MD!20874!32025!031!24!GERMANTOWN !MONTGOMERY !MARYLAND !+000009048310!Y!N!000000000000!AC65!RDTE/ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION EQ-ENG/MANUF DEV !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION !3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541512!*!*!3! ! ! !*!*!*!B!*!*!N!Z!B !N!J!1!001!N!4A!Z!Y!A! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !Z!Z!A!A!* !A!C!N! ! ! !Y! ! !0001!

Place of Performance

Location: GRAND RAPIDS, KENT County, MICHIGAN, 49512

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.4 million to ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION for work described as: 200111!000134!5700!GV68 !ESC/ACK !F1962801C0058 !A!N!*!N! !20010817!20040714!022829019!876949058!101916062!N!ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION !20301 CENTURY BOULEVARD !GERMANTOWN !MD!20874!32025!031!24!GERMANTOWN !MONTG… Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Orbital Sciences Corporation for $15.3 million. 2. The contract is for RDTE/Electronics & Communication Eq-Eng/Manuf Dev. 3. Competition was not available for this contract. 4. The sector is Defense, specifically IT-related services. 5. The contract duration is 2,874 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $15.3 million over nearly 8 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific unit costs or comparable contracts for similar R&D services, a precise value assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited source selection. This lack of competition may impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition raises concerns about whether taxpayers received the best possible price for these specialized R&D services.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competitive bidding. The long duration of the contract suggests a sustained need for these services within the Department of Defense. The specific nature of the R&D could have significant implications for future defense capabilities. Oversight is crucial to ensure the contractor meets performance expectations and cost controls.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Lack of detailed cost breakdown
Long contract duration without clear milestones

Positive Signals

Award to a known entity (Orbital Sciences Corporation)
Specific R&D focus area

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically related to IT and R&D for electronics and communication equipment. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining technological superiority but requires careful oversight due to complexity and potential for cost overruns.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Defense through the Defense Contract Management Agency. Robust oversight mechanisms should be in place to monitor performance, costs, and adherence to contract terms throughout its duration.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for cost overruns
Risk of technological obsolescence
Lack of transparency in pricing
Long contract duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.4 million to ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION. 200111!000134!5700!GV68 !ESC/ACK !F1962801C0058 !A!N!*!N! !20010817!20040714!022829019!876949058!101916062!N!ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION !20301 CENTURY BOULEVARD !GERMANTOWN !MD!20874!32025!031!24!GERMANTOWN !MONTGOMERY !MARYLAND !+000009048310!Y!N!000000000000!AC65!RDTE/ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION EQ-ENG/MANUF DEV !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION !3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541512!*!*!3! ! ! !*!*!*!B!*!*!N!

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2001-08-17. End: 2009-06-30.

What specific technological advancements are expected from this R&D contract, and how will they benefit national security?

The contract focuses on RDTE/Electronics & Communication Eq-Eng/Manuf Dev. While specific details are classified or not discernible, the objective is likely to enhance or develop new electronic and communication systems critical for defense operations. These advancements could range from improved radar capabilities to secure communication networks, ultimately bolstering national security by providing a technological edge.

Given the limited competition, what measures are in place to ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent potential overpricing?

With limited competition, the government relies heavily on contract negotiation, performance metrics, and potentially independent cost estimates to ensure cost-effectiveness. The contracting agency should implement stringent oversight, regular performance reviews, and potentially milestone-based payments tied to deliverables to mitigate the risk of overpricing and ensure value for taxpayer money.

How will the long duration of this contract impact the government's ability to adapt to evolving technological landscapes?

A long contract duration (2,874 days) for R&D presents a risk of obsolescence if technology evolves rapidly. To mitigate this, the contract should include clauses for periodic reviews, potential modifications based on technological advancements, and clear exit strategies. Flexibility and adaptive management by the contracting agency are crucial to ensure the R&D remains relevant throughout its term.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Address: 20301 CENTURY BOULEVARD, GERMANTOWN, MD, 06

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

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline