DoD Awards $171M G-CDL Development Contract to L3 Technologies Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,137,058 ($17.1M)
Contractor: L3 Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2010-08-02
End Date: 2013-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,155 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: GIGABIT COMMON DATA LINK (G-CDL) DEVELOPMENT
Place of Performance
Location: SALT LAKE CITY, SALT LAKE County, UTAH, 84116
State: Utah Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $17.1 million to L3 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: GIGABIT COMMON DATA LINK (G-CDL) DEVELOPMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to L3 Technologies for G-CDL development. 2. Full and open competition was utilized. 3. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 4. The total award value is $171,370,580. 5. The contract duration is 1155 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The benchmark for similar R&D contracts varies widely, making a direct comparison difficult without more specific performance data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure may limit the incentive for the contractor to aggressively control costs.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced technology development. The effectiveness of this spending depends on the successful delivery of the G-CDL and its subsequent operational value.
Public Impact
Development of a new data link technology for defense applications. Potential for enhanced military communication capabilities. Investment in advanced research and development within the defense sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to higher costs.
- R&D contracts inherently carry risk of technical failure or unmet objectives.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Focus on developing critical communication technology.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically for physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority but carries inherent risks and requires careful oversight.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in this contract. The primary awardee is a large corporation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency, which is responsible for overseeing contract performance and ensuring compliance. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates close monitoring of expenditures.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Potential for cost overruns.
- R&D inherent technical risks.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
- Contract duration is substantial, requiring sustained oversight.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ut, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $17.1 million to L3 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. GIGABIT COMMON DATA LINK (G-CDL) DEVELOPMENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is L3 TECHNOLOGIES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-08-02. End: 2013-09-30.
What is the specific technical capability the G-CDL aims to achieve, and how does it compare to existing technologies?
The Gigabit Common Data Link (G-CDL) is intended to provide a high-bandwidth, secure data transmission capability for military platforms. Its primary goal is to enable faster and more efficient transfer of large data volumes, such as sensor imagery and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data, compared to legacy systems. The specific technical advancements and performance metrics would be detailed in the contract's statement of work.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this development contract, and how will success be measured?
Key performance indicators for this R&D contract would likely include achieving specific data transfer rates (e.g., gigabit speeds), maintaining signal integrity under various operational conditions, ensuring cybersecurity compliance, and demonstrating successful integration with target military platforms. Success will be measured through rigorous testing, validation, and acceptance of prototypes or delivered systems against the defined technical requirements in the contract.
What is the projected long-term cost-benefit analysis of the G-CDL program beyond the initial development contract?
The long-term cost-benefit analysis of the G-CDL program hinges on its successful deployment and operational impact. Benefits include enhanced situational awareness, improved decision-making speed, and potentially reduced reliance on multiple, less capable communication systems. Costs beyond development include sustainment, upgrades, training, and integration across various platforms. A favorable analysis would demonstrate that the operational advantages and efficiencies gained outweigh these ongoing expenditures.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 640 N 2200 W, SALT LAKE CITY, UT, 84116
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,137,058
Exercised Options: $17,137,058
Current Obligation: $17,137,058
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 8
Total Subaward Amount: $462,757
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-08-02
Current End Date: 2013-09-30
Potential End Date: 2013-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-03-19
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