DoD's $29.8M Cyber Hardening Contract Awarded to Ball Aerospace for R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $29,856,825 ($29.9M)
Contractor: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-06-15
End Date: 2022-12-02
Contract Duration: 1,631 days
Daily Burn Rate: $18.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PLATFORM CYBER HARDENING AND RESILIENCE TECHNOLOGIES
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80301
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $29.9 million to BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP. for work described as: PLATFORM CYBER HARDENING AND RESILIENCE TECHNOLOGIES Key points: 1. Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. secured a significant contract for cyber hardening technologies. 2. The contract falls under the R&D sector, specifically for physical and engineering sciences. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 4. The award value is substantial, indicating a critical need for these technologies within the Air Force.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee, which can incentivize efficiency. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more granular cost data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders likely participated. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests taxpayer funds were likely used efficiently to secure advanced cyber hardening technologies.
Public Impact
Enhances national security through advanced cyber defense capabilities. Supports technological innovation in the critical field of cybersecurity. Potential for spin-off technologies benefiting the commercial sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- CPFF contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a specific technology could pose a future risk.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition ensures a broad base of potential solutions.
- Investment in R&D for cyber resilience is crucial for future defense.
- Contract duration suggests a sustained effort in a vital area.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541712. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining technological superiority and addressing evolving threats.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Air Force is responsible for oversight. The CPFF contract type requires diligent monitoring of costs and performance to ensure accountability and prevent overspending.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with CPFF contract type.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical technology.
- Need for clear performance metrics and validation.
- Ensuring successful technology transition and sustainment.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, co, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $29.9 million to BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP.. PLATFORM CYBER HARDENING AND RESILIENCE TECHNOLOGIES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES 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 $29.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-06-15. End: 2022-12-02.
What specific cyber hardening and resilience technologies are being developed under this contract, and how do they align with current and future threat landscapes?
The specific technologies are not detailed in the provided data. However, the contract's focus on 'Cyber Hardening and Resilience Technologies' suggests development in areas like secure system design, vulnerability mitigation, threat detection, and rapid recovery mechanisms. These are crucial for addressing sophisticated cyber threats faced by the DoD.
How will the effectiveness of the developed technologies be measured and validated to ensure they meet the DoD's resilience requirements?
Effectiveness is typically measured through rigorous testing and validation protocols, including simulated cyber-attacks, performance benchmarks under stress, and independent verification. The CPFF structure may include performance incentives tied to achieving specific resilience metrics, ensuring the technologies deliver tangible improvements.
What is the long-term strategy for integrating and maintaining these cyber hardening technologies across the Air Force's platforms post-contract completion?
The long-term integration strategy likely involves phased deployment, further R&D for upgrades, and establishing sustainment plans. The Air Force would need to develop maintenance procedures, training programs, and potentially follow-on contracts to ensure these technologies remain effective against evolving threats.
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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Ball Corp (UEI: 006419147)
Address: 1600 COMMERCE ST, BOULDER, CO, 80301
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $29,999,991
Exercised Options: $29,999,991
Current Obligation: $29,856,825
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 5
Total Subaward Amount: $581,867
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA865016D1878
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-06-15
Current End Date: 2022-12-02
Potential End Date: 2022-12-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-12-28
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