Leidos awarded $32.7M for EW systems; R&D focus on threat assessment and aircraft protection
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $32,738,470 ($32.7M)
Contractor: Leidos, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-02-03
End Date: 2026-09-13
Contract Duration: 2,048 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THREAT ASSESSMENT AIRCRAFT PROTECTION DEFENSIVE ELECTRONIC WARFARE GENERAL DIME ACTIVITIES
Place of Performance
Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $32.7 million to LEIDOS, INC. for work described as: THREAT ASSESSMENT AIRCRAFT PROTECTION DEFENSIVE ELECTRONIC WARFARE GENERAL DIME ACTIVITIES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced research and development in electronic warfare, indicating a need for cutting-edge solutions. 2. The award to Leidos, a major defense contractor, suggests a reliance on established players for complex R&D. 3. The duration of the contract (over 5 years) points to a long-term strategic investment in defensive capabilities. 4. The 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' contract type may offer less price certainty compared to fixed-price awards. 5. The specific NAICS code (541715) highlights the contract's alignment with specialized R&D services. 6. The absence of small business set-asides suggests the scope may be beyond typical small business capabilities or market.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this R&D contract is challenging without specific deliverables and market comparisons for similar advanced EW systems. The 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' structure inherently carries more risk for the government in terms of final cost compared to fixed-price contracts. However, for highly specialized R&D where scope can evolve, this structure is sometimes necessary to incentivize innovation and attract contractors willing to undertake complex, uncertain research.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This approach is generally preferred for ensuring the government receives the best value through competitive pricing and innovation. The number of bidders is not specified, but the full and open nature suggests a robust competition was sought.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces and encourages a wider pool of contractors to offer their best solutions.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and specifically the Air Force, enhancing their aerial defense capabilities. The services delivered involve research and development for defensive electronic warfare systems, crucial for modern air combat. The geographic impact is likely global, supporting military operations and national security interests. Workforce implications include highly skilled R&D personnel, engineers, and scientists within Leidos and potentially its subcontractors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus contract type introduces potential for cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight to ensure objectives remain aligned with evolving threats.
- Reliance on a single large contractor may limit future flexibility or access to alternative innovative solutions.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
- Focus on critical defensive electronic warfare capabilities addresses a significant national security need.
- Contractor (Leidos) has a strong track record in defense and technology sectors.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader Defense Information Technology and Research & Development sector. The market for electronic warfare systems is highly specialized and dominated by a few large defense contractors due to the complexity and security requirements. Spending in this area is driven by the need to counter evolving adversary capabilities and maintain technological superiority in military operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within other advanced R&D contracts for defense systems.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates no specific small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the primary award was not targeted towards small businesses, likely due to the specialized nature and scale of the R&D required. While Leidos is a large prime contractor, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance metrics and milestones outlined in the contract. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being made under full and open competition, with public reporting mechanisms for federal contracts. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Advanced Threat Detection Systems
- Electronic Warfare Systems Development
- Air Force Research Laboratory Contracts
- Department of Defense R&D Spending
- Aircraft Survivability Equipment
Risk Flags
- Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF Contract Type)
- Long-Term Project Management Complexity
- Technological Obsolescence Risk
- Dependency on Key Personnel/Contractor Expertise
Tags
defense, research-and-development, electronic-warfare, air-force, department-of-defense, leidos, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, aircraft-protection, threat-assessment, virginia, r&d
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $32.7 million to LEIDOS, INC.. THREAT ASSESSMENT AIRCRAFT PROTECTION DEFENSIVE ELECTRONIC WARFARE GENERAL DIME ACTIVITIES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LEIDOS, 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 $32.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-02-03. End: 2026-09-13.
What is Leidos's track record with similar Department of Defense R&D contracts, particularly in electronic warfare?
Leidos has a significant and established track record with the Department of Defense, including numerous contracts related to research, development, and systems integration across various domains, including electronic warfare. They are a major prime contractor known for handling complex, large-scale R&D projects. Their experience often involves developing and integrating advanced technologies for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat systems. Specific to EW, Leidos has been involved in programs related to EW system development, testing, and sustainment, demonstrating a capability to manage the technical complexities and security requirements inherent in such sensitive research.
How does the $32.7 million value compare to other similar R&D contracts for defensive electronic warfare systems?
The $32.7 million value for this specific R&D effort appears to be moderate within the context of large-scale defense R&D programs. Contracts for developing advanced EW systems can range from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scope, technological maturity, and duration. This award suggests a focused R&D effort rather than a full system production or extensive integration program. Benchmarking requires detailed comparison of the specific technical objectives, deliverables, and contract types (e.g., cost-plus vs. fixed-price) with other similar solicitations and awards within the EW domain.
What are the primary risks associated with a 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' (CPFF) contract for R&D in electronic warfare?
The primary risk with a CPFF contract for R&D is cost uncertainty for the government. While the contractor's profit is fixed, the total cost of performing the work is not capped, meaning the final price could exceed initial estimates if costs escalate. For complex R&D like electronic warfare, where technical challenges and unforeseen issues are common, this can lead to higher-than-anticipated expenditures. Effective oversight, rigorous cost tracking, and clear definition of work are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives value for its investment.
How effective are R&D contracts like this in ensuring the US maintains a technological edge in electronic warfare?
R&D contracts are fundamental to maintaining a technological edge in rapidly evolving fields like electronic warfare. By funding research into new concepts, materials, and system architectures, these contracts allow the government to explore innovative solutions that may not emerge from the commercial market. This specific contract's focus on threat assessment and defensive capabilities directly addresses the need to counter emerging adversary EW technologies. The success of such contracts hinges on clear requirements, strong contractor performance, and effective program management to translate research into deployable capabilities.
What has been the historical spending trend for defensive electronic warfare R&D within the Department of Defense?
Historical spending on defensive electronic warfare (EW) R&D within the Department of Defense has generally been substantial and consistent, reflecting the critical nature of EW in modern warfare. Budgets fluctuate based on perceived threats, technological advancements, and strategic priorities, but there is a continuous need for investment to counter evolving adversary capabilities. Major defense budgets allocate significant portions to R&D across various domains, with EW being a persistent area of focus due to its role in intelligence, jamming, deception, and protecting platforms. Specific figures vary year-to-year but represent a multi-billion dollar investment area over decades.
What is the significance of the NAICS code 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) for this contract?
The NAICS code 541715 signifies that this contract is specifically for research and development activities conducted in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, excluding specialized areas like nanotechnology and biotechnology. For this electronic warfare contract, it means the work involves scientific inquiry and experimentation to expand knowledge and understanding, leading to the development of new or improved technologies and systems. This classification helps categorize the contract within federal spending data, allowing for analysis of R&D investment trends and comparisons with other science and engineering research efforts across the government.
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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: FA865020S1119
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc.
Address: 1750 PRESIDENTS ST, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $33,488,432
Exercised Options: $33,488,432
Current Obligation: $32,738,470
Actual Outlays: $1,130,195
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 54
Total Subaward Amount: $5,581,228
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA865021D1014
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-02-03
Current End Date: 2026-09-13
Potential End Date: 2026-09-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-06
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