Air Force awards $348M for Solid State Phased Array Radar System maintenance and support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $348,352,073 ($348.4M)
Contractor: Indyne, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2022-03-24
End Date: 2026-10-31
Contract Duration: 1,682 days
Daily Burn Rate: $207.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: THIS IS A CONTINUED CONTRACT FOR FA2517-18-C-8000. SOLID STATE PHASED ARRAY RADAR SYSTEM (SSPARS) ORIGINALLY AWARDED AS FA2517-18-C-8000, PROVIDING NON-PERSONAL SERVICES TO PERFORM OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT 24/7 FOR THE SSPARS SYSTEM
Place of Performance
Location: LEXINGTON PARK, SAINT MARYS County, MARYLAND, 20653
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $348.4 million to INDYNE, INC. for work described as: THIS IS A CONTINUED CONTRACT FOR FA2517-18-C-8000. SOLID STATE PHASED ARRAY RADAR SYSTEM (SSPARS) ORIGINALLY AWARDED AS FA2517-18-C-8000, PROVIDING NON-PERSONAL SERVICES TO PERFORM OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT 24/7 FOR THE SSPARS SYSTEM Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential 24/7 operations and maintenance for critical radar systems. 2. INDYNE, INC. is the incumbent contractor, suggesting potential for stable service delivery. 3. The contract's long duration (over 4 years) indicates a significant, ongoing need. 4. High dollar value suggests a substantial investment in national defense infrastructure.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $348M over approximately 4 years is substantial. Benchmarking against similar long-term, high-value defense system maintenance contracts is difficult without more specific service details, but the firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive pricing for the services rendered.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for critical defense system maintenance.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operational readiness of vital radar systems for national security. Supports advanced technological infrastructure within the Department of Defense. Provides stable, long-term service for a critical defense asset. Contributes to the technological capabilities of the U.S. Air Force.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if scope creep occurs.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical system maintenance.
- Long-term commitment may limit flexibility for future technological upgrades.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract helps manage cost uncertainty.
- Incumbent contractor likely possesses specialized knowledge.
- Full and open competition suggests a fair market price was sought.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Telecommunications sector, specifically supporting advanced radar systems. Spending in this area is crucial for defense readiness and technological superiority, with significant government investment typical for such critical infrastructure.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the performance of this large contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of the Air Force, a component of the Department of Defense, which has established oversight mechanisms for defense contracts. The firm-fixed-price structure provides some cost control, but ongoing performance monitoring is essential.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Telecommunications
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Long-term commitment may lead to vendor lock-in.
- Potential for cost increases if unforeseen technical issues arise.
- System obsolescence risk over the contract duration.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical national security infrastructure.
Tags
all-other-telecommunications, department-of-defense, md, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $348.4 million to INDYNE, INC.. THIS IS A CONTINUED CONTRACT FOR FA2517-18-C-8000. SOLID STATE PHASED ARRAY RADAR SYSTEM (SSPARS) ORIGINALLY AWARDED AS FA2517-18-C-8000, PROVIDING NON-PERSONAL SERVICES TO PERFORM OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT 24/7 FOR THE SSPARS SYSTEM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INDYNE, 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 $348.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-03-24. End: 2026-10-31.
What is the specific performance metric for the 24/7 operations and maintenance of the SSPARS system, and how is contractor performance measured against these metrics?
Performance metrics for 24/7 operations and maintenance of the SSPARS system would typically include uptime percentages, response times for maintenance requests, and successful system diagnostics. The contract likely specifies Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that INDYNE, INC. must meet. The Air Force would monitor these through regular reporting, system performance data, and potentially site visits to ensure the radar system remains fully operational and supported.
Given the long-term nature of this contract, what provisions are in place to ensure the SSPARS system remains technologically relevant and secure against evolving threats?
Long-term contracts for complex systems like SSPARS often include clauses for technical refresh or modernization, though specifics depend on the contract's structure. Provisions might involve periodic reviews of technological advancements, potential for contract modifications for upgrades, or requirements for the contractor to propose solutions for obsolescence. Cybersecurity requirements are also critical and would be continuously monitored and updated to address evolving threats.
How does the $348M contract value compare to historical spending on similar radar system maintenance contracts, and does it represent an efficient use of taxpayer funds?
Benchmarking this $348M contract requires comparison with similar-sized, long-duration contracts for advanced radar system maintenance within the DoD or other agencies. Factors like system complexity, age, and required support levels influence costs. The firm-fixed-price structure and full and open competition suggest an effort towards efficiency. However, a definitive assessment of 'efficient use' would necessitate a detailed cost-benefit analysis and comparison against alternative solutions or previous contract periods.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Other Telecommunications › All Other Telecommunications
Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: FA251715R8001
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 46561 EXPEDITION DR # 100, LEXINGTON PARK, MD, 20653
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $393,052,619
Exercised Options: $348,885,488
Current Obligation: $348,352,073
Actual Outlays: $18,777,052
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 69
Total Subaward Amount: $40,480,155
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-03-24
Current End Date: 2026-10-31
Potential End Date: 2026-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-14
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