Air Force awards $21.96M R&D contract to Worlds Enterprises Inc. for Force Protection Escort Monitoring
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,962,110 ($22.0M)
Contractor: Worlds Enterprises Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-09-25
End Date: 2026-03-24
Contract Duration: 911 days
Daily Burn Rate: $24.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: AFCENT FORCE PROTECTION ESCORT MONITORING
Place of Performance
Location: APO, APO County, ARMED FORCES - EUROPE, 09309
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $22.0 million to WORLDS ENTERPRISES INC for work described as: AFCENT FORCE PROTECTION ESCORT MONITORING Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition. 2. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. 3. Potential risk associated with sole-source procurement and price justification. 4. Long contract duration of 911 days may impact cost-effectiveness.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $21.96M for a 911-day duration is difficult to assess without specific deliverables and benchmarks for R&D in this specialized area. The lack of competitive bidding makes a direct pricing comparison challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no market pressure to offer the best price.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not have received the best possible value due to the absence of competitive bidding.
Public Impact
Focus on force protection technology development. Potential for advancements in monitoring and escort systems. Impact on military operational efficiency and security.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Supports critical force protection mission
- Potential for technological advancement
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically related to defense applications. Benchmarks for R&D contracts can vary widely based on the nature of the research.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were considered or had the opportunity to compete.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure that the Department of the Air Force properly justifies the sole-source award and monitors the contractor's performance and spending to ensure value for taxpayer money.
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
- Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
- Long contract duration may not align with evolving R&D needs.
- Absence of small business participation noted.
- Limited transparency on specific R&D deliverables.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ae, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $22.0 million to WORLDS ENTERPRISES INC. AFCENT FORCE PROTECTION ESCORT MONITORING
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WORLDS ENTERPRISES 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 $22.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-25. End: 2026-03-24.
What specific R&D activities are encompassed by 'Force Protection Escort Monitoring' to justify the $21.96M award without competition?
The specific R&D activities are not detailed in the provided data. However, 'Force Protection Escort Monitoring' likely involves developing or enhancing technologies for surveillance, tracking, and communication systems used to ensure the safety of personnel and assets during movements or in high-risk areas. This could include advanced sensor integration, AI-driven threat detection, or secure data transmission protocols.
What are the primary risks associated with awarding a sole-source R&D contract of this magnitude and duration?
The primary risks include inflated costs due to lack of competition, potential for scope creep without market validation, and the possibility that the developed technology may not meet evolving operational needs by the end of the long contract term. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in and reduced innovation if alternative solutions are not explored.
How will the effectiveness of the R&D outcomes be measured to ensure value for the $21.96M investment?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through rigorous testing and evaluation phases, performance metrics tied to specific technological advancements, and successful integration into operational force protection protocols. Milestones and deliverables outlined in the contract will be key indicators, alongside user feedback from relevant Air Force units to confirm the technology's utility and impact.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: FA491323R0001
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 5350 ALPHA RD, DALLAS, TX, 75240
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,962,110
Exercised Options: $21,962,110
Current Obligation: $21,962,110
Actual Outlays: $1,548,414
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-25
Current End Date: 2026-03-24
Potential End Date: 2026-03-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-10-14
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