DoD Awards Vertex Aerospace $28.7M for Mobile Sensor Support to Radar Systems
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,748,425 ($28.7M)
Contractor: Vertex Aerospace LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-11-01
End Date: 2022-05-30
Contract Duration: 575 days
Daily Burn Rate: $50.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: MOBILE SENSORS SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF RADAR SYSTEMS ABOARD SHIPS
Place of Performance
Location: PATRICK AFB, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32925
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $28.7 million to VERTEX AEROSPACE LLC for work described as: MOBILE SENSORS SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF RADAR SYSTEMS ABOARD SHIPS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Vertex Aerospace LLC for critical radar system maintenance. 2. Spending is within the 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' NAICS code. 3. The contract value is substantial, indicating significant operational needs. 4. No small business participation noted, which could be a missed opportunity.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The $28.7M award for mobile sensor support appears reasonable given the specialized nature of radar systems maintenance for naval operations. Benchmarking against similar technical consulting services for defense hardware is challenging without more specific data, but the value aligns with complex support contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process that should have driven price discovery. The use of a delivery order indicates flexibility in tasking and potential for phased execution.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting competitive pricing and ensuring the government receives best value.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operational readiness of naval radar systems. Supports advanced technology maintenance and specialized technical services. Contributes to national defense capabilities through reliable equipment support.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of small business participation.
- Potential for cost overruns if scope expands beyond initial delivery order.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical defense infrastructure.
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under scientific and technical consulting services, a sector crucial for maintaining complex defense systems like radar. Spending benchmarks for this specific niche are difficult to ascertain, but the value reflects the specialized expertise required for naval aviation support.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business, and there is no indication of small business subcontracting. This represents a potential area for improvement in future solicitations to ensure broader participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Air Force awarded this contract, indicating oversight from a major defense agency. Further review of performance metrics and payment schedules would be needed to fully assess accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of small business participation.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if expertise is highly specialized.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical support.
- Scope creep risk on delivery orders.
Tags
other-scientific-and-technical-consultin, department-of-defense, fl, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $28.7 million to VERTEX AEROSPACE LLC. MOBILE SENSORS SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF RADAR SYSTEMS ABOARD SHIPS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VERTEX AEROSPACE LLC.
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 $28.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-11-01. End: 2022-05-30.
What is the specific technical scope of 'mobile sensors' in relation to radar systems, and how does this impact operational effectiveness?
Mobile sensors likely refer to portable diagnostic and monitoring equipment used to assess the performance and health of shipboard radar systems. Their integration allows for real-time data collection and analysis, enabling proactive maintenance, faster troubleshooting, and ultimately enhancing the operational readiness and reliability of critical radar platforms. This directly supports mission effectiveness by minimizing downtime.
Are there any identified risks associated with Vertex Aerospace's ability to provide continuous support for these specialized radar systems over the contract duration?
While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, potential risks could include the availability of specialized technicians, supply chain disruptions for unique components, and the evolving nature of radar technology. Continuous monitoring of Vertex Aerospace's performance, adherence to SLAs, and proactive risk mitigation strategies by the Air Force are essential to ensure sustained operational support.
How does this contract contribute to the overall cost-effectiveness of maintaining the Air Force's radar systems compared to alternative support models?
The firm fixed price nature of this delivery order provides cost certainty for the specified scope, which is a positive indicator for cost-effectiveness. Full and open competition should have yielded competitive pricing. However, a comprehensive assessment would require comparing this contract's total cost over its lifecycle against in-house maintenance or other service providers, considering factors like efficiency, expertise, and system uptime.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 555 INDUSTRIAL DR S, MADISON, MS, 39110
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $29,548,425
Exercised Options: $29,548,425
Current Obligation: $28,748,425
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA702217D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-11-01
Current End Date: 2022-05-30
Potential End Date: 2022-05-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-01-07
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