DoD's $32.1M C2 Test & Evaluation Contract Awarded to HII Mission Technologies Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,132,153 ($32.1M)

Contractor: HII Mission Technologies Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-09-07

End Date: 2026-09-06

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: RESILIENT ALL-DOMAIN COMMAND AND CONTROL TEST AND EVALUATION

Place of Performance

Location: ROME, ONEIDA County, NEW YORK, 13441

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $32.1 million to HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP for work described as: RESILIENT ALL-DOMAIN COMMAND AND CONTROL TEST AND EVALUATION Key points: 1. Contract focuses on resilient all-domain command and control (C2) capabilities, a critical area for modern defense. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these specialized R&D services. 3. The contract duration of 5 years indicates a long-term investment in developing and testing advanced C2 systems. 4. HII Mission Technologies Corp. is a significant player in the defense sector, with a history of supporting complex government programs. 5. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) is common for R&D where scope may evolve, but requires careful cost oversight. 6. Performance is located in New York, potentially impacting local workforce and economic activity in the region.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of this R&D contract is challenging due to its specialized nature and the evolving landscape of C2 systems. However, the award to a single entity for a five-year period suggests a significant investment. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable relative to the research objectives. Without specific performance metrics or comparable R&D contracts for similar C2 capabilities, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult, but the competitive award process provides some assurance.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through a full and open competition, indicating that multiple offerors had the opportunity to bid. This approach is generally favored as it allows the government to solicit proposals from the widest possible range of qualified contractors, fostering a competitive environment. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests that the Air Force sought the best technical solution and price from the market.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition maximizes the potential for competitive pricing, which is beneficial for taxpayers by driving down costs and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment in critical R&D.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force, which will receive enhanced capabilities in resilient all-domain command and control. The contract will deliver crucial test and evaluation services for advanced C2 systems, contributing to national security. Geographic impact is concentrated in New York, where the contractor is based, potentially creating or sustaining high-skilled jobs. The contract supports the development of technologies that could have broader implications for military interoperability and operational effectiveness across different domains.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require robust oversight to prevent cost overruns and ensure efficient resource utilization.
The long duration of the contract (5 years) necessitates ongoing monitoring of performance and adherence to evolving R&D objectives.
Specialized nature of C2 R&D means that measuring success and return on investment can be complex and may take time.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process that likely yielded a strong offer.
Contractor (HII Mission Technologies Corp.) has established experience in defense contracting, suggesting a lower risk of execution issues.
Focus on resilient all-domain C2 addresses a critical and evolving defense requirement, aligning with strategic priorities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced command and control systems. The market for defense R&D is characterized by significant government investment, long development cycles, and a need for highly specialized expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the unique nature of C2 systems, but overall DoD R&D spending runs into the tens of billions annually, with significant portions allocated to advanced technologies and systems integration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large-scale R&D effort awarded through full and open competition, it is unlikely that small businesses would be primary awardees unless they were part of a larger joint venture or subcontracting team. The prime contractor, HII Mission Technologies Corp., is a large business, suggesting that subcontracting opportunities may exist for specialized services, but the primary focus is not on direct small business set-asides.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and their representatives within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures will be tied to the achievement of research milestones and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is facilitated through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Advanced Battle Management Systems
Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) Initiatives
Defense Research and Engineering
Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I) Systems
Air Force Science and Technology Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Overruns Risk (CPFF)
Scope Creep Risk (R&D)
Technical Feasibility Risk (Advanced R&D)
Long-Term Performance Monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $32.1 million to HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. RESILIENT ALL-DOMAIN COMMAND AND CONTROL TEST AND EVALUATION

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 $32.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-07. End: 2026-09-06.

What is the track record of HII Mission Technologies Corp. in delivering similar command and control R&D services to the DoD?

HII Mission Technologies Corp. has a substantial track record supporting the Department of Defense across various complex programs, including C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) systems, simulation and training, and advanced technology development. While specific details on their past performance on 'resilient all-domain command and control test and evaluation' are not explicitly detailed in the provided data, their broader experience in integrating and testing sophisticated defense systems suggests a strong capability. They have historically been involved in large-scale contracts requiring advanced engineering, software development, and systems integration, which are core competencies relevant to this contract's objectives. Their performance history generally indicates a capacity to manage complex R&D efforts and meet demanding technical requirements.

How does the awarded amount of $32.1 million compare to similar R&D contracts for command and control systems?

The $32.1 million award for a five-year R&D contract focused on resilient all-domain command and control test and evaluation is a significant but not extraordinary figure within the defense R&D landscape. Contracts of this nature, involving specialized research, development, and testing of complex systems, often span multiple years and involve substantial funding. For context, major defense R&D programs can range from tens of millions to billions of dollars. This specific award appears to be a focused effort on a critical capability area. Benchmarking requires comparing it to contracts with similar scope, duration, and technological complexity, which are often classified or not publicly detailed. However, given the strategic importance of C2 modernization, this investment level seems commensurate with the objective of advancing resilient, multi-domain capabilities.

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

The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, especially for R&D, revolve around cost control and scope definition. For the government, the risk is that the contractor may incur higher costs than anticipated, even though the fee is fixed. This can occur if the research proves more complex or time-consuming than initially estimated, leading to increased labor hours and material costs. Effective oversight is crucial to ensure that all costs submitted for reimbursement are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. For the contractor, the risk lies in accurately estimating the effort required to achieve the R&D objectives within the fixed fee. If the effort significantly exceeds projections, the fixed fee might not adequately compensate them for their work. Scope creep, where requirements evolve during the research process, also poses a risk if not managed through formal contract modifications.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' process likely to be in ensuring value for money for this specific R&D contract?

The 'full and open competition' process is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money, as it allows the widest possible pool of qualified contractors to compete. This competition drives innovation and encourages offerors to submit their best technical solutions at the most competitive prices. For this R&D contract, it means the Department of the Air Force likely received proposals from multiple companies capable of advancing resilient all-domain C2 capabilities. The evaluation criteria, which would typically balance technical merit, past performance, and price, are designed to select the offer that provides the greatest overall value. While R&D inherently involves uncertainty, a robust competition increases the likelihood that the selected contractor can deliver the required capabilities effectively and efficiently, thereby maximizing the return on the government's investment.

What are the potential long-term implications for national security if the objectives of this C2 test and evaluation contract are successfully met?

Successful achievement of the objectives under this contract could significantly enhance U.S. national security by bolstering the resilience and effectiveness of its command and control systems across all domains (air, land, sea, space, cyber). Modern warfare increasingly relies on seamless information flow and rapid decision-making, making robust C2 capabilities paramount. Improved C2 systems enable better situational awareness, faster response times, and more coordinated operations among different military branches and potentially allied forces. This contract's focus on 'resilient' C2 suggests an effort to ensure these critical functions can operate even under contested or degraded conditions, such as in electronic warfare environments or during cyber-attacks. Ultimately, success here translates to a more agile, responsive, and survivable military force, enhancing deterrence and operational effectiveness.

Are there any specific performance metrics or milestones publicly available for this contract to gauge progress?

The provided data does not include specific performance metrics or milestones for this contract. Typically, detailed performance metrics, key performance parameters (KPPs), and specific milestones are outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). These are often considered sensitive or proprietary information, especially in R&D contexts where the exact path to success may be uncertain or evolve. While the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) provides basic award information like the contractor, amount, and duration, it does not delve into the granular details of performance expectations. Oversight agencies and the contracting officer would monitor progress against these internal metrics, but they are not usually made public unless summarized in broader program reports.

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: 1

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: $44,106,927

Exercised Options: $44,106,927

Current Obligation: $32,132,153

Actual Outlays: $648,861

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 37

Total Subaward Amount: $20,564,503

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