DoD awards $23.3M for aviation electronic warfare analysis to Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,278,710 ($23.3M)

Contractor: Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-04-15

End Date: 2029-04-14

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, AND ENGINEERING ANALYSIS OF AVIATION ELECTRONIC WARFARE FOR NAVAL AVIATION ENTERPRISE, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY 272, ADVANCED TACTICAL AIRCRAFT PROTECTION SYSTEMS

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30318

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $23.3 million to GEORGIA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH CORP for work described as: ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, AND ENGINEERING ANALYSIS OF AVIATION ELECTRONIC WARFARE FOR NAVAL AVIATION ENTERPRISE, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY 272, ADVANCED TACTICAL AIRCRAFT PROTECTION SYSTEMS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical aviation electronic warfare analysis for naval aviation. 2. Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp. selected for its specialized R&D capabilities. 3. The contract duration of 5 years suggests a long-term need for these services. 4. This award falls under the broad category of physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D. 5. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) allows for flexibility in research but requires careful cost monitoring. 6. The award amount is moderate for a multi-year R&D effort in this specialized field.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $23.3 million over five years for specialized R&D services appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for advanced electronic warfare analysis is challenging due to the niche nature of the work. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, while allowing for research flexibility, necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with the value delivered. The selection of a well-established research institution like Georgia Tech suggests a focus on expertise over potentially lower-cost, less experienced providers.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the full and open nature suggests a competitive process that should theoretically drive fair pricing. The agency's decision to use full and open competition implies confidence in the market's ability to provide suitable solutions for this complex requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and innovative solutions.

Public Impact

Naval aviation forces will benefit from enhanced electronic warfare capabilities and analysis. The services delivered will support the development and refinement of advanced tactical aircraft protection systems. The primary geographic impact is likely within the Department of Defense's operational and research facilities. This contract supports highly skilled research and engineering roles within the aerospace and defense sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
The specialized nature of the work may limit the pool of truly competitive bidders in the future.
Reliance on a single awardee for this critical analysis could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable research institution like Georgia Tech suggests a high likelihood of technical success.
Full and open competition indicates a robust procurement process.
The five-year duration suggests a stable, long-term commitment to improving naval aviation EW capabilities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on engineering analysis for aviation electronic warfare. The market for specialized defense R&D is characterized by high technical barriers to entry and significant government investment. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the unique nature of electronic warfare systems, but this award is consistent with investments in advanced defense technologies aimed at maintaining technological superiority.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false, and there is no specific small business set-aside (ss) mentioned. This suggests that the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. Consequently, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. The primary focus appears to be on securing specialized R&D expertise from a capable institution.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Air Force, Program Management Activity 272, within the Naval Aviation Enterprise. Accountability measures will be tied to the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract structure, requiring regular reporting and justification of costs. Transparency will be facilitated through standard government contracting reporting mechanisms. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Naval Aviation Enterprise
Advanced Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems
Electronic Warfare Systems R&D
Department of Defense Research and Development

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
Technical Performance Risk
Contractor Dependency Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $23.3 million to GEORGIA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH CORP. ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, AND ENGINEERING ANALYSIS OF AVIATION ELECTRONIC WARFARE FOR NAVAL AVIATION ENTERPRISE, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY 272, ADVANCED TACTICAL AIRCRAFT PROTECTION SYSTEMS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GEORGIA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH 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 $23.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-15. End: 2029-04-14.

What is Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp.'s track record in aviation electronic warfare and related R&D?

Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp. (GTARC) has a long-standing reputation for conducting advanced research and development across various engineering disciplines, including those relevant to defense and aerospace. While specific details on their aviation electronic warfare projects are often classified or proprietary, GTARC's parent institution, Georgia Tech, is a leading research university with extensive expertise in electrical engineering, computer science, and aerospace engineering. This includes significant work in areas like signal processing, electromagnetics, and systems engineering, all critical components of electronic warfare. Their history of supporting government research contracts, particularly with the Department of Defense, suggests a proven ability to deliver complex analytical and engineering solutions.

How does the $23.3 million contract value compare to similar R&D efforts in aviation electronic warfare?

Direct comparisons for specialized aviation electronic warfare R&D contracts are challenging due to the highly specific nature of the work and the often classified or proprietary details involved. However, $23.3 million over five years for a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract focused on analysis and engineering for advanced tactical aircraft protection systems is within a reasonable range for significant R&D efforts. Larger programs involving hardware development or extensive testing would likely command higher values. This award suggests a focus on the analytical and engineering foundation for future EW capabilities, rather than full-scale system production or deployment.

What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is the potential for cost overruns. While the 'fixed fee' component provides the contractor with a guaranteed profit margin, the 'cost plus' element means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs incurred. If the contractor's costs exceed initial estimates, the government pays the higher amount. This necessitates robust oversight from the contracting agency to ensure that all costs are reasonable, allocable, and necessary for the contract's performance. Without diligent monitoring, the total contract cost could escalate beyond the initial $23.3 million estimate, impacting the overall value for money.

How effective is Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp. likely to be in delivering the required aviation electronic warfare analysis?

Given Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp.'s affiliation with Georgia Tech, a premier research institution with deep expertise in relevant engineering fields, the likelihood of effective delivery is high. Their established track record in government R&D, coupled with the specialized nature of electronic warfare analysis, suggests they possess the necessary technical acumen and research infrastructure. The selection through full and open competition further implies that they were deemed the most capable offeror. The success will ultimately depend on the clarity of the requirements, the effectiveness of project management by both GTARC and the government, and the continued availability of skilled personnel.

What are the historical spending patterns for aviation electronic warfare analysis within the Department of Defense?

Historical spending patterns for aviation electronic warfare (EW) analysis within the Department of Defense (DoD) show a consistent and significant investment, reflecting the critical importance of EW in modern warfare. While specific figures for 'aviation electronic warfare analysis' as a distinct category are not readily available in public databases, overall spending on EW systems, research, development, and sustainment runs into billions of dollars annually across the services. This contract represents a portion of that broader investment, focusing on the analytical and engineering underpinnings. Spending in this area tends to fluctuate based on evolving threats, technological advancements, and strategic priorities, but it remains a core competency for maintaining air superiority and survivability.

What is the significance of this contract being awarded under 'full and open competition'?

Awarding this contract under 'full and open competition' signifies that the Department of Defense utilized a procurement process that allowed all responsible sources, regardless of size or type, to submit bids. This approach is generally preferred as it maximizes the potential for competition, theoretically leading to better pricing, higher quality solutions, and greater innovation. It suggests that the agency did not identify any specific barriers or justifications (like sole-source needs or specific small business set-asides) that would limit the bidding pool. For taxpayers, this means the government sought the best value by considering a wide range of qualified contractors, rather than restricting the opportunity to a select few.

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

Address: 505 10TH ST, ATLANTA, GA, 30318

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $90,226,497

Exercised Options: $90,226,497

Current Obligation: $23,278,710

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 9

Total Subaward Amount: $4,221,565

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA807518D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline