DoD's Xandar LLC contract for Bistatic Collection and Processing awarded for $3M, with R&D focus

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,997,867 ($3.0M)

Contractor: Xandar LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-03-05

End Date: 2029-03-04

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: THE PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT ENTITLED BISTATIC COLLECTION AND PROCESSING (BCAP), DATED 04 DECEMBER 2024, IS HEREBY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, GREENE County, OHIO, 45433

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $3.0 million to XANDAR LLC for work described as: THE PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT ENTITLED BISTATIC COLLECTION AND PROCESSING (BCAP), DATED 04 DECEMBER 2024, IS HEREBY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced research and development in physical sciences. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a structured procurement process. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. Performance period spans nearly four years, suggesting a long-term research objective. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 points to specialized R&D services. 6. The contract is a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $3 million for a nearly four-year research and development effort appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in the physical sciences is challenging without more detailed scope information. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type introduces inherent risk for cost control, as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. This structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This suggests that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources were excluded, potentially limiting the pool of bidders. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed, but this approach can sometimes be used to ensure specific capabilities or technologies are considered. The number of bidders is not specified, making it difficult to fully assess the level of competition and its impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition, even if initially open, may have resulted in a higher price for taxpayers compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition with a larger number of responsive bidders.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force, through advancements in bistatic collection and processing capabilities. The services delivered are research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences, focusing on specialized data collection and analysis. The geographic impact is primarily within Ohio, where the contractor Xandar LLC is located. Workforce implications may include the employment of specialized scientists, engineers, and technicians within Xandar LLC and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Limited competition, even with 'exclusion of sources,' may reduce price competitiveness.
The specific nature of 'Bistatic Collection and Processing' is not fully detailed, making independent value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

The contract is awarded to a specific entity, Xandar LLC, suggesting a known capability.
The research and development focus aligns with potential future defense needs.
The contract is a Delivery Order, implying it fits within a broader contracting framework.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715, which covers physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D. This is a highly specialized area often involving significant investment in intellectual property and advanced technology. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the precise technical scope, but R&D contracts in defense can range from millions to billions of dollars depending on the complexity and strategic importance.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) is not a primary focus of this specific contract award. There is no indication of a small business set-aside. This suggests that the prime contractor, Xandar LLC, is likely not a small business, and subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly mandated or highlighted in this award notice. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting plans exist.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Air Force, a component of the Department of Defense. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight and performance monitoring will be crucial to ensure that costs remain within reasonable bounds and that the research objectives are met. Transparency will depend on the reporting requirements stipulated in the Performance Work Statement and the agency's willingness to disclose relevant details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Air Force Advanced Technology Development
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Technology
Signal Processing Research
Data Fusion and Analysis

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
Limited Competition Impact on Price
Uncertainty of R&D Outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $3.0 million to XANDAR LLC. THE PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT ENTITLED BISTATIC COLLECTION AND PROCESSING (BCAP), DATED 04 DECEMBER 2024, IS HEREBY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is XANDAR LLC.

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 $3.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-05. End: 2029-03-04.

What is Xandar LLC's track record with government contracts, particularly in R&D?

Information regarding Xandar LLC's specific track record with government contracts, especially within the R&D domain, is not provided in the given data. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing contract databases like SAM.gov or FPDS to review past performance, contract values, types, and any reported issues or successes. Understanding their history with similar Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts would be particularly relevant for assessing risk and value for this current award. Without this historical data, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and efficiency as a contractor for this specific project.

How does the $3 million contract value compare to similar R&D efforts in bistatic collection and processing?

Direct comparison of the $3 million contract value for Bistatic Collection and Processing (BCAP) to similar R&D efforts is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work and the technological maturity. The NAICS code 541715 covers a broad range of physical sciences R&D. However, for a nearly four-year project focused on specialized collection and processing, $3 million could represent a modest investment for foundational research or a significant investment for a highly specific, advanced component. Benchmarking would ideally involve identifying contracts with similar performance periods, technical objectives, and contract types (CPFF) within the defense R&D sector.

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

The primary risks associated with a CPFF contract for R&D, like the BCAP contract, revolve around cost control and contractor incentive. While the fixed fee provides the contractor with a predictable profit margin, the reimbursement of allowable costs can incentivize less efficient spending if not rigorously monitored. For R&D, where outcomes can be uncertain and scope creep is common, there's a risk that costs could escalate beyond initial projections. Effective oversight, detailed cost accounting, and clear performance metrics are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value for its investment.

What does 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' imply for the procurement process and potential outcomes?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation suggests a procurement process that aimed for broad competition but ultimately excluded certain potential bidders based on predefined criteria. This could be due to requirements for specific security clearances, proprietary technology access, or unique capabilities. While it allows for a wider initial solicitation than a sole-source award, the exclusion of sources inherently limits the competitive landscape compared to a truly unrestricted 'full and open' competition. The impact on price discovery and overall value for taxpayers depends heavily on the justification for the exclusions and the number of bidders that remained competitive.

What are the potential long-term implications of advancements in Bistatic Collection and Processing for national security?

Advancements in Bistatic Collection and Processing (BCAP) could have significant long-term implications for national security, particularly in areas of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Bistatic radar systems, which use separate transmitters and receivers, can offer advantages in terms of stealth, target detection, and coverage. Improved processing capabilities derived from this R&D could enhance the ability to detect and track a wider range of targets, potentially in challenging environments, and provide more actionable intelligence to military and intelligence agencies. This could bolster situational awareness and strategic 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 Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4114 LEGATO RD STE 1100, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,874,366

Exercised Options: $11,499,680

Current Obligation: $2,997,867

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA860422DB009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline