DoD Awards $15M for Advanced Air Mobility Composites to Cytec Engineered Materials
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,065,877 ($15.1M)
Contractor: Cytec Engineered Materials, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-09-30
End Date: 2029-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: COMPOSITES FOR ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY (CAAM)
Place of Performance
Location: WINONA, WINONA County, MINNESOTA, 55987
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $15.1 million to CYTEC ENGINEERED MATERIALS, INC. for work described as: COMPOSITES FOR ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY (CAAM) Key points: 1. Focus on advanced materials for future air mobility, a growing sector. 2. Sole awardee for this specific contract, raising questions about broader competition. 3. Potential risk in reliance on a single supplier for critical components. 4. Research and Development in physical sciences, aligning with innovation goals.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $15M for a 5-year R&D effort appears reasonable given the specialized nature of advanced composites for air mobility. Benchmarking is difficult without specific cost breakdowns, but the firm fixed-price structure suggests a defined scope.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and access to the best available technology.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being invested in R&D for potentially transformative aerospace technology, which could yield long-term benefits if successful.
Public Impact
Advancement of next-generation aircraft capabilities. Potential for job creation in the advanced materials and aerospace sectors. Investment in U.S. technological leadership in air mobility.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Reliance on a single supplier for critical advanced materials.
- Potential for cost overruns if R&D proves more complex than anticipated.
- Long development timeline with uncertain final product success.
Positive Signals
- Investment in cutting-edge technology for future defense capabilities.
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Potential for significant technological breakthroughs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced materials for physical sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority but can be subject to long development cycles and market volatility.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Cytec Engineered Materials, Inc., a large business. There is no explicit indication of small business participation in this specific award, which is common for highly specialized R&D contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Air Force is the awarding agency. Oversight will be critical to ensure progress aligns with R&D milestones and that funds are used efficiently throughout the contract 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
- Supplier dependency risk.
- R&D success uncertainty.
- Long-term technology obsolescence.
- Potential for cost escalation in follow-on phases.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, mn, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $15.1 million to CYTEC ENGINEERED MATERIALS, INC.. COMPOSITES FOR ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY (CAAM)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CYTEC ENGINEERED MATERIALS, 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 $15.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2029-09-30.
What is the projected timeline for key R&D milestones and deliverables under this contract?
The contract duration is five years, ending September 30, 2029. Specific milestone details are not provided in the summary data. However, typical R&D contracts of this nature would include phased deliverables such as material characterization reports, prototype testing results, and final component validation, with reviews at regular intervals.
How will the government ensure competitive pricing for follow-on production contracts if this R&D is successful?
While this initial R&D contract was awarded under full and open competition, future production contracts will depend on the evolving market and the specific requirements. The government may conduct market research, seek competitive bids, or explore sole-source options if only one vendor possesses the necessary proprietary technology or manufacturing capabilities developed under this award.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for evaluating the success of the advanced composites developed?
Key performance indicators would likely focus on material properties such as strength-to-weight ratio, durability under extreme conditions (temperature, stress), resistance to fatigue, and manufacturability. Specific metrics would be defined in the contract's Statement of Work, potentially including targets for tensile strength, impact resistance, and operational lifespan compared to existing materials.
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: FA865021S5001
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Solvay
Address: 501 W 3RD ST, WINONA, MN, 55987
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,065,877
Exercised Options: $15,065,877
Current Obligation: $15,065,877
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-30
Current End Date: 2029-09-30
Potential End Date: 2029-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-29
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