DoD's $2.5M contract for B-52 XR Defense Digital Engineering on Titan Platform awarded to ANAUTICS, INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,538,376 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Anautics, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2026-01-02

End Date: 2026-01-08

Contract Duration: 6 days

Daily Burn Rate: $423.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: B-52 XR DEFENSE DIGITAL ENGINEERING ON THE TITAN PLATFORM

Place of Performance

Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA County, OKLAHOMA, 73102

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.5 million to ANAUTICS, INC for work described as: B-52 XR DEFENSE DIGITAL ENGINEERING ON THE TITAN PLATFORM Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.5M for digital engineering services. 2. Awarded to ANAUTICS, INC. for B-52 XR Defense Digital Engineering on the Titan Platform. 3. Contract duration is 6 months. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs. 5. This is a definitive contract with a stated end date of January 8, 2026. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541512 for Computer Systems Design Services. 7. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential cost savings. 8. The award is for services in Oklahoma.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this $2.5M contract is challenging without more detailed service descriptions and performance metrics. Given the short 6-month duration and the lack of competition, it's difficult to assess if this represents a competitive price or optimal value for the Department of Defense. The firm fixed price structure offers cost certainty but doesn't inherently guarantee value for money if the scope is not well-defined or if market alternatives could offer superior solutions at a lower cost.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach can be justified for specialized services or when only one vendor possesses the necessary capabilities. However, it limits price discovery and may result in higher costs compared to a competitive procurement. The absence of a competitive process means potential savings from bidding wars and innovative solutions are foregone.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the government does not benefit from competitive bidding to drive down prices. This limits the opportunity to secure the best possible value for public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force, through enhanced digital engineering capabilities for the B-52 XR program. Services delivered include computer systems design, crucial for modernizing defense platforms. The geographic impact is concentrated in Oklahoma, where the services will be performed. The contract supports specialized technical roles within the defense digital engineering sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Short contract duration could indicate a limited scope or a placeholder for a larger, uncompeted award.
Sole-source awards require strong justification to ensure fair pricing and value.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to ANAUTICS, INC. suggests they possess unique or required capabilities for this specific defense need.
The contract supports a critical defense modernization effort (B-52 XR).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a critical component of the broader IT and Defense industries. The market for defense digital engineering is specialized, often involving proprietary technologies and deep system integration expertise. Spending in this area is driven by the need for advanced simulation, modeling, and digital twin capabilities to support complex weapon systems like the B-52 bomber. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific details on the services rendered, but digital transformation initiatives within defense are a significant and growing area of federal investment.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss: false) or specific subcontracting requirements mentioned in the provided data. Therefore, its direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, unless ANAUTICS, INC. independently engages small businesses as subcontractors. The absence of set-aside provisions means larger, established firms are the primary focus for this procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. As a definitive contract, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, but contract performance and financial expenditures would be monitored. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

B-52 Bomber Modernization Programs
Defense Digital Engineering Initiatives
Air Force IT and Systems Integration Contracts
Computer Systems Design Services (NAICS 541512)
Titan Platform Development

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Limited transparency on specific services and performance metrics.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.5 million to ANAUTICS, INC. B-52 XR DEFENSE DIGITAL ENGINEERING ON THE TITAN PLATFORM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ANAUTICS, 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 $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-02. End: 2026-01-08.

What specific digital engineering services are being provided under this contract for the B-52 XR program?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'B-52 XR DEFENSE DIGITAL ENGINEERING ON THE TITAN PLATFORM' under NAICS code 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services). While the specific services are not detailed, this typically encompasses activities such as software development, systems integration, modeling and simulation, data analysis, and the creation of digital twins or virtual prototypes. For the B-52 XR program, these services likely aim to enhance the bomber's capabilities, support sustainment, or facilitate upgrades through advanced digital tools and methodologies, potentially leveraging the 'Titan Platform' as a foundational system or environment for these engineering efforts.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?

Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the government's needs. For this contract, the justification for a sole-source award to ANAUTICS, INC. might stem from proprietary technology associated with the 'Titan Platform,' unique expertise required for the B-52 XR digital engineering, or a critical and urgent need where a full and open competition would cause unacceptable delays. The Department of Defense would have had to document the specific reasons, such as the contractor possessing unique intellectual property, specialized skills, or prior development work that makes them the only viable option. Without this documentation, the lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and missed opportunities for better value.

How does the $2.5M contract value compare to similar digital engineering contracts for defense platforms?

Directly comparing the $2.5M value is difficult without knowing the precise scope and duration of services. However, $2.5M for a 6-month definitive contract focused on specialized digital engineering for a major platform like the B-52 suggests a potentially high per-month cost, especially given the sole-source nature. Larger digital transformation and systems integration efforts for defense platforms can range from tens of millions to billions of dollars over several years. This specific award appears to be for a focused, short-term effort, possibly a component of a larger initiative. Benchmarking would require access to data on similar niche digital engineering projects, considering factors like complexity, technology involved, and the specific platform's lifecycle stage.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for critical defense digital engineering services?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical defense digital engineering services include inflated costs due to the lack of competitive pressure, potential for vendor lock-in where the government becomes overly reliant on a single provider, and reduced innovation as there's less incentive for the sole provider to explore novel or more cost-effective solutions. There's also a risk that the government may not be receiving the best available technology or approach if alternatives were not explored. Furthermore, without competition, it can be harder to objectively assess if the contractor's proposed price is fair and reasonable, increasing the risk of financial waste.

What is ANAUTICS, INC.'s track record with the Department of Defense, particularly on similar projects?

Information regarding ANAUTICS, INC.'s specific track record with the Department of Defense on similar digital engineering projects is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous DoD contracts. Understanding their experience with large-scale defense platforms, digital engineering tools, and the specific requirements of the B-52 XR program would be crucial in evaluating their capability and the justification for a sole-source award. Without this background, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and past performance effectiveness.

How does the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type impact cost control and risk for this digital engineering effort?

The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is generally favorable for cost control as it shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, ANAUTICS, INC. The government agrees to pay a set price regardless of the contractor's actual costs incurred. This provides budget certainty for the Department of Defense. However, for complex services like digital engineering, where the scope can be difficult to define precisely upfront, an FFP contract might lead the contractor to build in higher contingency costs to protect against unforeseen issues. This could potentially result in a higher initial price compared to other contract types like cost-plus, but it protects the government from unexpected cost increases during performance.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design 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: 17 NW 6TH ST, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 73102

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,538,376

Exercised Options: $2,538,376

Current Obligation: $2,538,376

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline