DoD's $14.3M contract for ANPCS Transponder Landing System advances expeditionary capabilities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,338,975 ($14.3M)

Contractor: Advanced Navigation & Positioning Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-09-30

End Date: 2027-12-29

Contract Duration: 820 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: THIS EFFORT ADVANCES ANPCS TRANSPONDER LANDING SYSTEM INTO A FULLY PRODUCTIZED, CERTIFIED, AND OPERATIONALLY DEPLOYABLE CAPABILITY ACROSS EXPEDITIONARY, CONTAINERIZED, AND NEW HYBRID MILSTD TRAILER FORM FACTORS.

Place of Performance

Location: HURLBURT FIELD, OKALOOSA County, FLORIDA, 32544

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.3 million to ADVANCED NAVIGATION & POSITIONING CORPORATION for work described as: THIS EFFORT ADVANCES ANPCS TRANSPONDER LANDING SYSTEM INTO A FULLY PRODUCTIZED, CERTIFIED, AND OPERATIONALLY DEPLOYABLE CAPABILITY ACROSS EXPEDITIONARY, CONTAINERIZED, AND NEW HYBRID MILSTD TRAILER FORM FACTORS. Key points: 1. Focuses on productizing and certifying a landing system for diverse operational environments. 2. Contract type suggests a competitive process with prior source exclusion. 3. Performance period extends over three years, indicating a significant development phase. 4. The system aims to enhance operational deployability through multiple form factors. 5. This investment supports modernization of air traffic management systems in expeditionary settings.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.3M for developing and certifying a transponder landing system appears reasonable given the scope of advancing a capability into a fully productized and certified state. Benchmarking against similar complex system development and certification contracts is challenging without more specific details on the technology's maturity and the required certifications. However, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor bears much of the cost risk, which can be favorable for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while competition was sought, specific sources may have been excluded based on prior performance, unique capabilities, or other criteria. The exact number of bidders is not specified, but this award type suggests a limited competitive pool compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: This limited competition may result in less aggressive pricing than a broader competition, potentially impacting taxpayer value if the excluded sources could have offered a more cost-effective solution.

Public Impact

Expeditionary Air Force units will benefit from enhanced landing system capabilities. Services delivered include system development, certification, and operational deployment. Geographic impact is broad, supporting operations in various environments including containerized and trailer form factors. Workforce implications include potential needs for specialized technicians for installation and maintenance of the new system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen technical challenges arise during certification.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical system development and certification.
Risk of obsolescence if technology evolves rapidly during the development cycle.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Clear objective to achieve a fully productized and certified capability.
Development of multiple form factors enhances operational flexibility and deployability.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, specifically related to defense modernization and air traffic management systems. This sector is characterized by high R&D investment and a need for specialized technical expertise. The market size for such specialized navigation and landing systems is niche but critical for military aviation, with spending often driven by technological advancement and operational requirements.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any small business set-aside (ss=false, sb=false). Given the specialized nature of developing and certifying advanced navigation systems, it is unlikely that small businesses would be the primary awardees unless they are subcontractors. The prime contractor, Advanced Navigation & Positioning Corporation, is likely a mid-to-large-sized firm. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist in areas like component manufacturing or specialized testing.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms and performance milestones. Transparency is expected through contract reporting mechanisms, though specific details on public transparency are not provided. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Air Traffic Control Systems
Navigation and Guidance Systems
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) procurements
Expeditionary Combat Support Systems

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price discovery.
Certification risks for aviation safety systems.
Potential for technology obsolescence during development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.3 million to ADVANCED NAVIGATION & POSITIONING CORPORATION. THIS EFFORT ADVANCES ANPCS TRANSPONDER LANDING SYSTEM INTO A FULLY PRODUCTIZED, CERTIFIED, AND OPERATIONALLY DEPLOYABLE CAPABILITY ACROSS EXPEDITIONARY, CONTAINERIZED, AND NEW HYBRID MILSTD TRAILER FORM FACTORS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCED NAVIGATION & POSITIONING CORPORATION.

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 $14.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-30. End: 2027-12-29.

What is the track record of Advanced Navigation & Positioning Corporation (ANPCS) with similar defense contracts?

Advanced Navigation & Positioning Corporation (ANPCS) has a history of developing and providing advanced navigation and positioning solutions. While specific details on past defense contracts are not provided in this data snippet, their focus on GPS, inertial navigation, and related technologies suggests experience relevant to this contract. A deeper dive into their contract history with the DoD, including performance reviews and past project successes or failures, would be necessary to fully assess their track record for this specific transponder landing system effort. Their ability to deliver certified, productized capabilities is a key indicator of their suitability.

How does the $14.3M cost compare to similar transponder landing system development contracts?

Direct cost comparisons for specialized systems like the ANPCS Transponder Landing System are difficult without access to a broader market intelligence database. The $14.3M value is for a comprehensive effort including productization and certification across multiple form factors, which suggests a significant undertaking. Similar contracts might involve R&D for new technologies, integration of existing components, or large-scale deployment. The firm-fixed-price nature of this contract implies that the government has a defined cost ceiling, which is a positive indicator for value. However, benchmarking against contracts for less complex or less certified systems would not be an accurate comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with the development and certification of this landing system?

The primary risks include technical challenges in achieving the required certification standards for aviation safety, potential delays in the development cycle due to unforeseen engineering hurdles, and the risk of the technology becoming outdated before full deployment. Given the 'Exclusion of Sources' aspect of the competition, there's also a risk that the chosen approach or contractor might not be the most cost-effective available. Furthermore, ensuring interoperability with existing military air traffic control infrastructure presents an integration risk. The firm-fixed-price contract mitigates financial risk for the government but places it on the contractor, potentially leading to pressure on quality or scope if not managed carefully.

How effective is the ANPCS Transponder Landing System expected to be in enhancing expeditionary air operations?

The system is designed to enhance expeditionary air operations by providing a fully productized, certified, and operationally deployable capability. Its development into multiple form factors (expeditionary, containerized, hybrid trailer) suggests adaptability to diverse and potentially austere environments where traditional airfield infrastructure may be lacking. The certification aspect is crucial for ensuring safety and reliability, which are paramount in military aviation. If successful, the system should enable more flexible and rapid deployment of air assets by reducing reliance on fixed, pre-established landing aids, thereby increasing operational tempo and reach.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar air traffic management or navigation systems within the Department of the Air Force?

Historical spending patterns for air traffic management and navigation systems within the Department of the Air Force typically involve significant investments in modernization, upgrades, and new technology integration. This includes spending on radar systems, communication equipment, navigation aids (like ILS, GPS augmentation), and command and control systems. Budgets often fluctuate based on strategic priorities, technological advancements, and the lifecycle of existing equipment. Contracts can range from sole-source procurements for highly specialized or legacy systems to competitive bids for more standardized equipment. The ANPCS contract appears to be part of a modernization effort to improve deployable capabilities, aligning with trends towards more agile and resilient air operations.

What is the significance of the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award type?

This award type signifies that the agency initially intended to conduct a full and open competition but subsequently excluded certain potential sources. This exclusion could be based on various reasons, such as the need for specific past performance, unique technical capabilities possessed by only a few firms, or prior contractual relationships. While it implies some level of competition, it narrows the field compared to unrestricted full and open competition. This approach is often used when a specific capability is required that only a limited number of contractors can provide, or when issues with previously excluded sources necessitate their removal from consideration. It aims to balance competition with the need for specialized solutions.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: FA002125R0005

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 489 N 8TH ST, HOOD RIVER, OR, 97031

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,338,975

Exercised Options: $14,338,975

Current Obligation: $14,338,975

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline