DoD's $203.9M RAMMS Contract Awarded to Viasat Inc. for Advanced SATCOM R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,394,797 ($20.4M)
Contractor: Viasat Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-09-23
End Date: 2028-04-24
Contract Duration: 1,309 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 13
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: RESILIENT AESA FOR MULTI-BAND MULTI-ORBIT SATCOM (RAMMS)
Place of Performance
Location: TEMPE, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85284
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $20.4 million to VIASAT INC for work described as: RESILIENT AESA FOR MULTI-BAND MULTI-ORBIT SATCOM (RAMMS) Key points: 1. The contract focuses on research and development for resilient multi-band, multi-orbit SATCOM capabilities. 2. Viasat Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating a specific capability or existing relationship. 3. The award is for R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences, excluding nano/biotech. 4. The contract duration is over 4 years, suggesting a significant development effort.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking CPFF R&D contracts is difficult due to the inherent uncertainty in research and development.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Despite being awarded under full and open competition, the specific nature of advanced SATCOM R&D may limit the number of truly capable bidders. The CPFF structure could impact price discovery, as costs are reimbursed.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being invested in advanced technology development, with the potential for significant future defense capabilities. However, the CPFF structure carries inherent cost risk.
Public Impact
Enhances national security through advanced satellite communication capabilities. Supports technological innovation in the defense sector. Potential for future commercialization of developed technologies. Invests in a critical area of defense infrastructure.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Limited information on specific performance metrics or milestones.
- Sole awardee may indicate limited competition despite 'full and open' designation.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical need for resilient SATCOM.
- Invests in advanced R&D for future capabilities.
- Long-term contract duration allows for thorough development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the R&D sector, specifically focusing on advanced communication technologies for defense. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority, but often involves higher risk and less predictable outcomes compared to procurement of existing systems.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, but the prime contractor, Viasat Inc., is a large business. There is no explicit mention of small business subcontracting goals in the provided data, suggesting potential limited direct impact for SMBs on this prime contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Air Force is the contracting agency. Oversight will be critical to manage the CPFF contract effectively, ensuring R&D objectives are met within reasonable cost parameters and that taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
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
- Cost overrun risk due to CPFF contract type.
- Potential for R&D to yield uncertain or delayed results.
- Limited visibility into specific performance metrics.
- Sole awardee may not represent the most competitive outcome.
- Dependency on a single contractor for critical technology development.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, az, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $20.4 million to VIASAT INC. RESILIENT AESA FOR MULTI-BAND MULTI-ORBIT SATCOM (RAMMS)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VIASAT 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 $20.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-23. End: 2028-04-24.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this RAMMS contract, and how will they improve current SATCOM capabilities?
The RAMMS contract aims to develop resilient multi-band, multi-orbit SATCOM capabilities. This likely involves advancements in signal processing, antenna technology, and network architecture to ensure reliable communication in contested or degraded environments. Expected improvements include enhanced anti-jamming features, broader frequency band utilization, and seamless integration across different satellite constellations for greater flexibility and survivability.
Given the CPFF contract type, what measures are in place to mitigate cost overruns and ensure value for taxpayer money?
While CPFF contracts inherently carry cost risk, effective oversight is paramount. The Air Force should implement rigorous monitoring of Viasat's expenditures, regular performance reviews against defined R&D milestones, and potentially incorporate incentive clauses tied to cost control or early achievement of objectives. Independent technical reviews and robust auditing processes are also crucial to ensure accountability and prevent unnecessary spending.
How will the success of this R&D effort be measured, and what are the criteria for determining its effectiveness in enhancing defense SATCOM?
Effectiveness will likely be measured against specific technical performance parameters outlined in the contract's Statement of Work. These could include metrics related to data throughput, latency, signal-to-noise ratio, resistance to jamming, and interoperability across different platforms and orbits. Successful demonstration of these capabilities in realistic test environments, followed by successful integration into operational systems, will determine the contract's overall effectiveness.
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 › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: FA865017S9300
Offers Received: 13
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6155, EL CAMINO REAL, CARLSBAD, CA, 92009
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $37,114,694
Exercised Options: $26,686,684
Current Obligation: $20,394,797
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $3,328,432
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-23
Current End Date: 2028-04-24
Potential End Date: 2028-04-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-19
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