DoD's $48.7M contract for advanced threat R&D supports Navy warfare development

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $48,676,148 ($48.7M)

Contractor: HII Mission Technologies Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-06-15

End Date: 2025-09-15

Contract Duration: 1,918 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IMPLEMENTATION OF ADVANCED THREATS FOR WEAPON SYSTEM RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) FOR NAVY WARFARE DEVELOPMENT COMMAND (NWDC) RED CELL, INFORMATION OPERATIONS (IO) CELL, AND ELECTROMAGNETIC MANEUVER WARFARE (EMW) CELL

Place of Performance

Location: NORFOLK, NORFOLK CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23551

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $48.7 million to HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP for work described as: IMPLEMENTATION OF ADVANCED THREATS FOR WEAPON SYSTEM RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) FOR NAVY WARFARE DEVELOPMENT COMMAND (NWDC) RED CELL, INFORMATION OPERATIONS (IO) CELL, AND ELECTROMAGNETIC MANEUVER WARFARE (EMW) CELL Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical R&D for Navy's information and electromagnetic warfare capabilities. 2. HII Mission Technologies Corp. is the prime contractor for this significant effort. 3. The contract duration extends over five years, indicating a long-term strategic investment. 4. This award falls under the Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences NAICS code. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, common for complex R&D projects. 6. No small business set-asides were utilized for this particular award.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of this R&D contract is challenging due to its specialized nature. However, the $48.7 million ceiling over five years suggests a substantial investment in advanced capabilities. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure is typical for R&D where scope can evolve, but it requires careful oversight to manage costs effectively. Without direct comparisons to similar advanced threat R&D efforts for naval warfare, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult, but the investment aligns with the strategic importance of maintaining technological superiority.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded using full and open competition, indicating that multiple capable vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bids suggests a competitive environment, though the exact number of interested parties is not detailed. Full and open competition is generally preferred as it allows the government to solicit proposals from the widest possible range of sources, fostering innovation and potentially leading to better pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through the potential for more competitive pricing and access to a broader range of innovative solutions, ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment in critical research and development.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Navy's warfare development commands, enhancing their capabilities in information operations and electromagnetic maneuver warfare. The contract delivers advanced research and development services crucial for maintaining a technological edge against potential adversaries. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting defense innovation and research centers. Workforce implications include highly skilled researchers, engineers, and analysts specializing in advanced military technologies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost overruns are a potential risk with Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not managed diligently.
The evolving nature of advanced threats requires continuous adaptation, posing a risk to project scope and timelines.
Ensuring the R&D directly translates into actionable capabilities for the Navy is a key challenge.

Positive Signals

The contract supports critical national security objectives by advancing naval warfare technologies.
Full and open competition suggests a robust process for selecting the most capable contractor.
The long-term duration indicates a sustained commitment to developing essential defense capabilities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on defense applications. The market for advanced military R&D is highly specialized, driven by government funding and the need for technological superiority. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of 'advanced threats' and 'warfare development,' but significant investments are consistently made in this area by defense departments globally to counter emerging challenges.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mandated in the award details provided. The prime contractor, HII Mission Technologies Corp., is a large business. This means the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award is likely minimal, though large prime contractors often engage small businesses as subcontractors on broader efforts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract will likely be managed by the Department of Defense contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures will involve regular performance reviews, cost tracking, and milestone achievement assessments. Transparency is facilitated through contract reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction may apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Navy Warfare Development Command (NWDC) Operations
Information Operations Research
Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare Initiatives
Advanced Weapon System Research
Department of Defense R&D Spending

Risk Flags

Cost Control Risk (CPFF)
Scope Creep Potential
Transition from R&D to Fielding
National Security Sensitivity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $48.7 million to HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. IMPLEMENTATION OF ADVANCED THREATS FOR WEAPON SYSTEM RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) FOR NAVY WARFARE DEVELOPMENT COMMAND (NWDC) RED CELL, INFORMATION OPERATIONS (IO) CELL, AND ELECTROMAGNETIC MANEUVER WARFARE (EMW) CELL

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 $48.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-06-15. End: 2025-09-15.

What is HII Mission Technologies Corp.'s track record with similar advanced R&D contracts for the Department of Defense?

HII Mission Technologies Corp. has a substantial history of performing complex R&D and technical services for the Department of Defense. While specific details on 'advanced threat implementation' contracts are proprietary, their portfolio includes work in areas like simulation, training, cyber, and electronic warfare systems. Their experience often involves integrating advanced technologies into existing platforms and developing new capabilities. Past performance evaluations on similar contracts would be crucial for assessing their suitability, but their established presence suggests a capacity to handle such specialized R&D efforts. The company's size and scope indicate they are well-equipped to manage large-scale, multi-year research projects.

How does the $48.7 million contract value compare to other advanced threat R&D efforts within the Navy or DoD?

Direct comparisons for 'advanced threat implementation for weapon system R&D' are challenging due to the highly specialized and often classified nature of such work. However, $48.7 million over five years represents a significant, albeit not exceptionally large, investment for a focused R&D program within a major defense R&D initiative. Larger, more encompassing R&D programs can run into hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. This contract appears to be a targeted effort for specific Navy warfare development cells (NWDC Red Cell, IO, EMW). Its value is consistent with specialized research contracts aimed at developing specific technological advantages rather than broad, foundational research.

What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this R&D project?

The primary risk with a CPFF contract for advanced R&D is cost control. While the 'fixed fee' provides the contractor with a defined profit margin, the 'cost plus' element means the government reimburses allowable costs. If the R&D effort proves more complex or requires more resources than initially anticipated, costs can escalate significantly, potentially exceeding the ceiling. This necessitates robust government oversight to scrutinize incurred costs, ensure efficiency, and prevent scope creep that isn't properly managed. Contractor incentives must align with efficient R&D execution to mitigate this risk.

How effectively is this contract likely to translate R&D into tangible improvements for Navy warfare capabilities?

The effectiveness hinges on several factors, including the clarity of the R&D objectives set by NWDC, the contractor's ability to innovate and adapt, and the government's program management. The contract's focus on specific cells (Red Cell, IO, EMW) suggests a targeted approach, which can increase the likelihood of tangible outcomes. However, the transition from R&D to fielded capabilities is often a lengthy and complex process involving further development, testing, and integration phases. Regular reviews and demonstrations by HII Mission Technologies Corp. will be critical to track progress and ensure the research remains aligned with evolving warfare requirements.

What are the historical spending patterns for advanced threat R&D within the Department of Defense, and how does this contract fit?

The Department of Defense consistently allocates substantial funding towards R&D, particularly in areas related to advanced threats, cyber warfare, and next-generation weapon systems. Historical spending reflects a continuous effort to maintain technological superiority. This $48.7 million contract fits within this pattern as a specific investment aimed at enhancing naval information and electromagnetic warfare capabilities. It represents a focused allocation within the broader DoD R&D budget, likely driven by current threat assessments and strategic priorities for naval operations. Such contracts are crucial for staying ahead of adversaries' technological advancements.

What level of transparency can be expected regarding the specific outcomes and methodologies of this advanced threat R&D?

Transparency for advanced threat R&D contracts is typically limited due to national security sensitivities. While the contract itself and its basic parameters (value, contractor, period of performance) are public, the specific methodologies, research findings, and detailed outcomes are often classified or considered proprietary. Public reporting will likely focus on general progress and adherence to milestones rather than the technical details of the threats being researched or the solutions developed. The Department of Defense balances the need for accountability with the imperative to protect sensitive defense information.

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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

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: $59,649,351

Exercised Options: $59,649,351

Current Obligation: $48,676,148

Actual Outlays: $15,727,912

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 9

Total Subaward Amount: $2,987,796

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA807518D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline