DoD Awards $121.7M for ARFAST Development to Red Six Aerospace, Focusing on Aircrew and Special Teams
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,166,549 ($12.2M)
Contractor: RED SIX Aerospace Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-11-04
End Date: 2027-05-05
Contract Duration: 912 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PROJECT: AUGMENTED REALITY FOR AIRCREW AND SPECIAL TEAMS (ARFAST) DEVELOPMENT AND INTEGRATION
Place of Performance
Location: HURLBURT FIELD, OKALOOSA County, FLORIDA, 32544
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $12.2 million to RED SIX AEROSPACE INC. for work described as: PROJECT: AUGMENTED REALITY FOR AIRCREW AND SPECIAL TEAMS (ARFAST) DEVELOPMENT AND INTEGRATION Key points: 1. The contract aims to develop and integrate augmented reality solutions for aircrew and special teams. 2. Red Six Aerospace Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating a specific capability or prior relationship. 3. The project falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 4. The award is a Firm Fixed Price definitive contract, providing cost certainty for the government.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The $121.7 million award for ARFAST development appears reasonable given the specialized nature of R&D in advanced technologies like augmented reality for defense applications. Benchmarking against similar complex R&D contracts is challenging due to unique technological requirements.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting an initial broad solicitation followed by a specific exclusion. This method can sometimes limit the pool of potential bidders, potentially impacting price discovery compared to unrestricted full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being invested in advanced technology development for defense, with the goal of improving aircrew and special team capabilities. The fixed-price nature aims to control costs.
Public Impact
Enhances pilot and special forces situational awareness and operational effectiveness through advanced AR. Potential for improved training and mission rehearsal capabilities. Supports innovation in defense technology and the aerospace sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may not yield the lowest possible price.
- Specific details on the exclusion of sources are not provided.
- Long contract duration (912 days) requires ongoing monitoring.
Positive Signals
- Focus on critical defense capabilities.
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
- Investment in cutting-edge technology.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS 541715. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority but can be subject to cost overruns due to the inherent uncertainties of R&D.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought through subcontracting opportunities.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is managed by the Department of the Air Force. Oversight will be critical to ensure milestones are met, technology is effectively developed, and funds are used efficiently throughout the contract's duration.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in R&D.
- Dependence on a single contractor.
- Technological obsolescence risk.
- Integration challenges with existing systems.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, fl, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $12.2 million to RED SIX AEROSPACE INC.. PROJECT: AUGMENTED REALITY FOR AIRCREW AND SPECIAL TEAMS (ARFAST) DEVELOPMENT AND INTEGRATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RED SIX AEROSPACE INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $12.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-11-04. End: 2027-05-05.
What specific technological advancements does ARFAST aim to achieve, and how do these align with current and future Air Force operational needs?
ARFAST aims to integrate augmented reality into aircrew and special team operations, likely focusing on enhancing situational awareness, providing real-time data overlays, and improving navigation and targeting capabilities. These advancements are intended to directly support evolving mission requirements in complex operational environments, potentially reducing cognitive load on personnel and improving decision-making speed and accuracy.
What were the primary reasons for excluding other sources after the initial competition, and how was the selected contractor, Red Six Aerospace, deemed uniquely qualified?
The exclusion of sources typically occurs when only one or a limited number of responsible contractors can provide the required supplies or services. For Red Six Aerospace, this could be due to proprietary technology, unique expertise, prior successful development, or specific certifications required for this advanced AR integration. The justification for exclusion would need to demonstrate that no other source could meet the government's needs effectively.
How will the effectiveness and value of the ARFAST system be measured post-development, and what are the key performance indicators for success?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through rigorous testing and evaluation phases, including simulated missions and operational field tests. Key performance indicators could include improvements in target identification accuracy, reduced mission completion times, enhanced pilot/operator performance metrics, and user feedback on usability and effectiveness. Value will be assessed against the cost savings or operational advantages gained compared to existing methods or alternative solutions.
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 › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2501 DISCOVERY DR, ORLANDO, FL, 32826
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,975,050
Exercised Options: $20,975,050
Current Obligation: $12,166,549
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-11-04
Current End Date: 2027-05-05
Potential End Date: 2027-05-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-05
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