DoD's $43.1M RDT&E contract for UAS ISR&T capabilities awarded to HII Mission Technologies Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $43,105,855 ($43.1M)
Contractor: HII Mission Technologies Corp
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2017-06-20
End Date: 2022-06-20
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $23.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST&EVALUATION (RDT&E) OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UASS) FOR INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, RECONNAISSANCE, TARGETING (ISR&T) AND PRECISION STRIKE CAPABILITIES FOR NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND (NAVAIR) PERSISTENT MARITIME UAS PROGRAM OFFICE (PMA 262) COSPONSORED BY PMA 268
Place of Performance
Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $43.1 million to HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST&EVALUATION (RDT&E) OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UASS) FOR INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, RECONNAISSANCE, TARGETING (ISR&T) AND PRECISION STRIKE CAPABILITIES FOR NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND (NAVAIR) PERSISTENT MARITIME UAS PROGRAM OFFICE (PMA 2… Key points: 1. This contract focuses on advanced Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (ISR&T). 2. The primary contractor is HII Mission Technologies Corp. 3. The award falls under the Department of the Air Force, supporting Naval Air Systems Command. 4. The contract's scope is Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 5. It was awarded via full and open competition.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $43.1 million over five years for RDT&E of advanced UAS appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar complex RDT&E contracts for defense systems would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for soliciting bids and ensuring fair pricing. This method typically leads to competitive pricing as multiple vendors have the opportunity to propose solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and encouraging innovation.
Public Impact
Enhances national security through advanced surveillance and targeting capabilities. Supports the development of next-generation military technology. Potential for dual-use applications in civilian sectors like disaster response or infrastructure monitoring. Contributes to the technological superiority of the U.S. Navy and Air Force.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in R&D projects.
- Long development cycles for advanced technology.
- Dependence on a single prime contractor for critical components.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Focus on critical intelligence and strike capabilities.
- Supports modernization of naval aviation assets.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced unmanned aircraft systems. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority but can be subject to long development cycles and evolving requirements.
Small Business Impact
While the prime contractor is HII Mission Technologies Corp., the data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Persistent Maritime UAS Program Office (PMA 262), co-sponsored by PMA 268. Oversight would involve regular reporting, milestone reviews, and financial audits typical for DoD RDT&E contracts.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Research and Development complexity.
- Potential for scope creep.
- Long-term sustainment and upgrade costs.
- Dependence on technological advancements.
- Cybersecurity risks.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $43.1 million to HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. IGF::OT::IGF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST&EVALUATION (RDT&E) OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UASS) FOR INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, RECONNAISSANCE, TARGETING (ISR&T) AND PRECISION STRIKE CAPABILITIES FOR NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND (NAVAIR) PERSISTENT MARITIME UAS PROGRAM OFFICE (PMA 262) COSPONSORED BY PMA 268
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
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 $43.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-06-20. End: 2022-06-20.
What is the projected return on investment for this RDT&E effort in terms of enhanced operational capabilities?
The return on investment is primarily measured by the enhanced intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (ISR&T) capabilities the UAS will provide. This includes improved situational awareness, faster threat identification, and more precise targeting, ultimately aiming to reduce risk to personnel and increase mission effectiveness. Quantifying ROI is challenging for R&D but is linked to mission success rates and potential cost savings from more efficient operations.
What are the primary technical risks associated with developing and integrating these advanced UAS capabilities?
Key technical risks include achieving desired flight endurance and payload capacity, ensuring reliable communication links in contested environments, developing sophisticated sensor and data processing systems for ISR&T, and integrating these systems seamlessly with existing naval platforms. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities and the potential for system obsolescence due to rapid technological advancements also pose significant risks.
How effectively will these UAS contribute to the Navy's overall mission readiness and strategic objectives?
These UAS are expected to significantly enhance mission readiness by providing persistent ISR&T capabilities that are currently limited. They can extend the reach and effectiveness of naval forces, offer persistent surveillance over critical areas, and enable precision strikes with reduced risk to manned aircraft. Their contribution to strategic objectives lies in maintaining maritime dominance and providing critical intelligence for decision-making.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: FA807513R0001
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc
Address: 4021 EXECUTIVE DR, BEAVERCREEK, OH, 45430
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $46,032,242
Exercised Options: $46,032,242
Current Obligation: $43,105,855
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 22
Total Subaward Amount: $32,144,817
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA807514D0014
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-06-20
Current End Date: 2022-06-20
Potential End Date: 2022-06-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-23
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