DoD's $74.4M RDT&E for Radar/EW Systems Awarded to MANTECH TSG-2 Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $74,440,646 ($74.4M)

Contractor: Mantech TSG-2 Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-03-19

End Date: 2027-09-29

Contract Duration: 2,385 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION (RDT&E) OF RADAR AND ELECTRONIC WARFARE (EW) SYSTEMS, SUBSYSTEMS, AND INTERFACE EQUIPMENT FOR RADAR TECHNOLOGIES DIVISION (WXP), NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER (NSWC), CRANE DIVISION

Place of Performance

Location: CRANE, MARTIN County, INDIANA, 47522

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $74.4 million to MANTECH TSG-2 JOINT VENTURE for work described as: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION (RDT&E) OF RADAR AND ELECTRONIC WARFARE (EW) SYSTEMS, SUBSYSTEMS, AND INTERFACE EQUIPMENT FOR RADAR TECHNOLOGIES DIVISION (WXP), NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER (NSWC), CRANE DIVISION Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced radar and electronic warfare capabilities for the Navy. 2. MANTECH TSG-2, a joint venture, secured the contract, indicating specialized expertise. 3. The contract spans over 6 years, suggesting a long-term development and integration effort. 4. Full and open competition was utilized, promoting a competitive bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $74.4M over 6 years for RDT&E in specialized radar and EW systems appears reasonable given the complexity and duration. Benchmarking against similar advanced defense R&D contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The use of full and open competition suggests that multiple qualified vendors were able to bid, likely leading to a more competitive price discovery. The award was a delivery order under a larger contract.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to yield a fair price, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds for critical defense technology development.

Public Impact

Enhances U.S. naval defense capabilities through advanced radar and electronic warfare. Supports technological innovation in a critical national security sector. Potential for spin-off technologies benefiting commercial applications. Creates high-skilled jobs in research and development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration is long, increasing risk of cost overruns or scope creep.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher spending.
No small business participation noted, potentially missing opportunities for smaller innovative firms.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Focus on RDT&E in a critical defense area.
Long-term contract allows for sustained development and integration.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically focusing on advanced defense technologies. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority but can be subject to long development cycles and high costs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no specific small business set-aside or participation. While the prime contractor is a joint venture, opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors in specialized RDT&E projects are not explicitly detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Defense, specifically the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, is responsible for overseeing this RDT&E effort. The contract type and duration will require diligent oversight to manage costs and ensure successful delivery of capabilities.

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

Long contract duration increases risk.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
No explicit small business participation.
High technology development risk.
Potential for scope creep in RDT&E.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $74.4 million to MANTECH TSG-2 JOINT VENTURE. RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION (RDT&E) OF RADAR AND ELECTRONIC WARFARE (EW) SYSTEMS, SUBSYSTEMS, AND INTERFACE EQUIPMENT FOR RADAR TECHNOLOGIES DIVISION (WXP), NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER (NSWC), CRANE DIVISION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANTECH TSG-2 JOINT VENTURE.

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 $74.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-03-19. End: 2027-09-29.

What is the specific technological advancement expected from this RDT&E investment in radar and EW systems?

The RDT&E investment is aimed at advancing radar and electronic warfare (EW) systems, subsystems, and interface equipment. This likely includes developing next-generation capabilities for threat detection, electronic countermeasures, and improved situational awareness for naval platforms. The specific advancements would be detailed in the technical scope of work, focusing on enhancing performance metrics like range, accuracy, and resistance to jamming.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for RDT&E in this domain?

The primary risks with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for RDT&E in radar and EW systems include potential cost overruns if the contractor's estimated costs are inaccurate, as the government bears the risk of actual costs exceeding estimates. The fixed fee provides incentive for the contractor to control costs, but the complexity of RDT&E can make accurate cost estimation challenging, potentially leading to less efficient resource utilization compared to fixed-price contracts.

How will the effectiveness of the developed radar and EW systems be measured and validated?

Effectiveness will be measured through rigorous testing and evaluation (T&E) phases outlined in the contract. This includes laboratory testing, simulation, and potentially field trials to validate performance against defined requirements and operational scenarios. Key performance parameters (KPPs) for range, accuracy, reliability, and resistance to countermeasures will be assessed. Independent government testing and validation will ensure the systems meet the intended operational needs and provide a tangible return on the RDT&E investment.

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 › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12015 LEE JACKSON HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $109,980,725

Exercised Options: $109,980,725

Current Obligation: $74,440,646

Actual Outlays: $5,431,542

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 53

Total Subaward Amount: $29,074,106

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA807518D0011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline