Air Force Awards $14.45M Contract to Shift5 for F-22 Cyber Protection Prototype
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,451,000 ($14.5M)
Contractor: Shift5, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-10-10
End Date: 2027-02-28
Contract Duration: 871 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, AND TEST OF A PROTOTYPE ACTIVE CYBER PROTECTION SYSTEM (ACPS) ON THE F-22 WHICH IS EXTENSIBLE TO OTHER AIR FORCE PLATFORMS.
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $14.5 million to SHIFT5, INC. for work described as: DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, AND TEST OF A PROTOTYPE ACTIVE CYBER PROTECTION SYSTEM (ACPS) ON THE F-22 WHICH IS EXTENSIBLE TO OTHER AIR FORCE PLATFORMS. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on developing a cyber protection system for the F-22, with potential application to other Air Force platforms. 2. Shift5, Inc. is the sole awardee, raising questions about the extent of competition. 3. The project addresses critical cybersecurity needs for advanced military aircraft. 4. The sector is Information Technology, specifically custom computer programming services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $14.45 million for a prototype system is difficult to benchmark without more data on similar custom development projects. The firm fixed-price structure aims to control costs.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially reduces the incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a specialized defense technology development. The lack of competition means the government may not have secured the best possible price.
Public Impact
Enhances cybersecurity for a key fighter jet (F-22), improving national defense capabilities. Potential for broader application across multiple Air Force platforms, increasing return on investment. Supports innovation in a critical defense technology area. The sole-source nature may limit transparency and public scrutiny of the award process.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Sole-source award
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical cybersecurity needs
- Potential for platform extensibility
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically custom computer programming services. Defense contracts for specialized software and system development can range significantly in price depending on complexity and scope.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, Shift5, Inc., is not identified as a small business in the provided data. This contract does not appear to include specific provisions for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of the Air Force. Oversight will focus on the successful design, manufacture, and testing of the prototype system within the specified timeline and budget.
Related Government Programs
- Custom Computer Programming Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and potentially increases cost.
- Lack of transparency regarding the justification for sole-sourcing.
- Prototype development carries inherent technical risks.
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen technical challenges arise.
Tags
custom-computer-programming-services, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $14.5 million to SHIFT5, INC.. DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, AND TEST OF A PROTOTYPE ACTIVE CYBER PROTECTION SYSTEM (ACPS) ON THE F-22 WHICH IS EXTENSIBLE TO OTHER AIR FORCE PLATFORMS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SHIFT5, INC..
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 $14.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-10-10. End: 2027-02-28.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. Without further details, it's presumed the Air Force determined Shift5, Inc. possessed the specific expertise or technology required. Fair and reasonable pricing is usually assessed through market research, historical data, or cost analysis, though transparency is limited in sole-source scenarios.
What are the specific cybersecurity risks this prototype aims to mitigate on the F-22 platform, and how does this compare to existing solutions?
The data does not specify the exact cyber threats the ACPS is designed to counter. However, modern military platforms face sophisticated threats like malware, network intrusions, and electronic warfare. This prototype likely aims to provide advanced, potentially AI-driven, defenses beyond current capabilities, offering real-time threat detection and response tailored to the F-22's unique architecture.
How will the success of this prototype be measured, and what is the likelihood of its successful integration and adoption across other Air Force platforms?
Success will likely be measured by the prototype's ability to meet defined performance specifications during testing, including its effectiveness in detecting and neutralizing cyber threats, its stability, and its extensibility. Successful integration and adoption depend on factors like cost-effectiveness, ease of implementation, compatibility with existing systems, and demonstrated value proposition across different aircraft types.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1100 WILSON BLVD, ARLINGTON, VA, 22209
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,451,000
Exercised Options: $14,451,000
Current Obligation: $14,451,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-10-10
Current End Date: 2027-02-28
Potential End Date: 2027-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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