DoD's $2M contract for Vector Doppler Scoring System awarded to Meggitt Defense Systems, Inc. with no competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,018,353 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Meggitt Defense Systems, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-01-01

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: VECTOR DOPPLER SCORING/VECTOR SCORING SYSTEM (VDOPS/VSS), TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA.

Place of Performance

Location: PANAMA CITY, BAY County, FLORIDA, 32403

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.0 million to MEGGITT DEFENSE SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: VECTOR DOPPLER SCORING/VECTOR SCORING SYSTEM (VDOPS/VSS), TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA. Key points: 1. The contract value of $2,018,352.80 appears reasonable for a two-year system support and sustainment contract. 2. The lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and limited innovation. 3. The contract is for a specialized system, suggesting a potentially limited market for bidders. 4. Performance context is tied to Tyndall Air Force Base, indicating a specific operational need. 5. The sector positioning is within Defense, specifically Air Force telecommunications support. 6. The firm fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the Vector Doppler Scoring System's capabilities and market. However, the price of approximately $2 million over two years for specialized defense equipment support is within a plausible range for such niche systems. The lack of competitive bidding prevents a direct comparison to market rates or assessment of whether the government received the best possible price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, Meggitt Defense Systems, Inc., was considered. The data indicates 'NOT COMPETED,' suggesting that either the system is proprietary, the contractor is the sole provider of necessary support, or there were specific circumstances (like urgent need or lack of viable alternatives) that precluded a competitive process. This limits the government's ability to leverage market forces for better pricing and terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings and innovation that typically arise from a competitive bidding process. The government may be paying a premium due to the absence of competing offers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of the Air Force, which will receive support for the Vector Doppler Scoring System. The services delivered include sustainment and support for critical telecommunications and scoring systems. The geographic impact is localized to Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida. Workforce implications are likely minimal for the public, but the contract supports specialized technical roles within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source award limits opportunities for other qualified vendors.
Potential for vendor lock-in if the system is highly specialized.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Contract duration of two years allows for stable support.
Award to an established defense contractor suggests familiarity with requirements.

Sector Analysis

The defense sector, particularly within the Air Force, relies on specialized telecommunications and data processing systems. Contracts for such niche equipment often involve unique sustainment requirements. While the overall market size for this specific system is not detailed, the defense industry's spending on advanced technology and support services is substantial, often characterized by a mix of competitive and sole-source awards for highly specialized or legacy systems.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without a competitive process or specific subcontracting goals, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely limited, and opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are not evident from the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, but contract details and performance reporting would be managed internally by the agency. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

DoD Telecommunications Systems Support
Air Force Radar and Scoring Systems
Defense Equipment Sustainment Contracts
Tyndall AFB Infrastructure Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for higher costs
Limited transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.0 million to MEGGITT DEFENSE SYSTEMS, INC.. VECTOR DOPPLER SCORING/VECTOR SCORING SYSTEM (VDOPS/VSS), TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MEGGITT DEFENSE SYSTEMS, 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 $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-01. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the specific function and criticality of the Vector Doppler Scoring System (VDOPS/VSS) for Tyndall Air Force Base operations?

The Vector Doppler Scoring System (VDOPS/VSS) is utilized for scoring and analysis related to specific Air Force operations, likely involving training ranges or testing facilities at Tyndall Air Force Base. Its criticality stems from providing essential data for performance evaluation, mission readiness, and potentially for the development or validation of advanced systems. Without more detailed documentation, its precise role in radar calibration, weapons system testing, or air combat training remains speculative, but its designation as a 'Telecommunications' related system suggests it involves data acquisition, transmission, and processing for scoring purposes.

What are the historical spending patterns for this specific system or similar systems by the Department of the Air Force?

Historical spending data for the Vector Doppler Scoring System (VDOPS/VSS) specifically is not provided in the current data extract. However, the award date of the contract (implied by the data structure, though not explicitly stated as award date) and the system's nature suggest it is likely an established or specialized piece of equipment. The Department of the Air Force, like other branches of the DoD, consistently invests in advanced targeting, scoring, and simulation systems. Spending on such niche telecommunications and data analysis hardware and sustainment can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on the system's complexity, age, and operational tempo. Without prior contract awards for this specific system, a direct historical comparison is not possible.

What is Meggitt Defense Systems, Inc.'s track record with similar sole-source contracts for specialized defense equipment?

Meggitt Defense Systems, Inc. has a significant track record within the defense industry, often supplying specialized components and systems. While specific data on their history of sole-source awards for similar systems is not detailed here, companies of their size and specialization frequently engage in sole-source or limited-competition contracts when providing unique or proprietary technology, or essential sustainment for systems they originally developed. Their experience suggests they are capable of meeting the technical requirements for the VDOPS/VSS. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal the frequency and nature of their sole-source awards and their performance on those contracts.

Given the sole-source nature, what steps can the Air Force take to ensure fair pricing and value for money?

Even in sole-source situations, the Air Force can employ several strategies to ensure fair pricing and value. This includes conducting thorough cost realism analyses, scrutinizing the contractor's proposed costs against independent government estimates (IGEs) or should-cost models, and negotiating profit margins. They can also leverage historical pricing data for similar systems or components, if available, and explore alternative technical solutions or sustainment approaches. Furthermore, the Air Force can negotiate performance-based metrics within the contract to incentivize efficiency and effectiveness, and ensure robust contract administration to monitor performance and prevent scope creep. Engaging with industry experts for market research, even if not leading to a competitive bid, can provide benchmarks.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for a system like the VDOPS/VSS, beyond pricing?

Beyond pricing concerns, sole-source awards for specialized systems like the VDOPS/VSS carry several risks. One significant risk is vendor lock-in, where the government becomes overly dependent on a single supplier, potentially limiting future flexibility in upgrades, maintenance, or replacement. This dependence can also stifle innovation, as there is less pressure on the incumbent contractor to develop improved solutions. Furthermore, a lack of competition can sometimes lead to complacency in service delivery or a reduced focus on long-term system lifecycle management. If the sole-source contractor faces financial difficulties or strategic shifts, it could jeopardize the sustainment of a critical system.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › All Other Telecommunications › All Other Telecommunications

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: FA489024R0024

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Purolator Facet, Inc.

Address: 9801 MUIRLANDS BLVD, IRVINE, CA, 92618

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: $7,457,862

Exercised Options: $2,021,417

Current Obligation: $2,018,353

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline