Dod's $6.9M R&D Contract for 'expoliting Perceptual Abilities' Awarded to BAE Systems
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,922,206 ($6.9M)
Contractor: BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-10-15
End Date: 2027-02-22
Contract Duration: 1,956 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: "EXPOLITING PERCEPTUAL ABILITIES" (EPA)
Place of Performance
Location: BROOMFIELD, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80021
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $6.9 million to BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC. for work described as: "EXPOLITING PERCEPTUAL ABILITIES" (EPA) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. BAE Systems, a major defense contractor, secured this award. 3. The contract duration spans over 1900 days, indicating a long-term research effort. 4. Awarded by the Department of the Air Force, suggesting alignment with aerospace and defense priorities. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control while allowing for flexibility in research. 6. This award falls under the broad category of R&D, a critical area for technological advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $6.9 million for a nearly 5.5-year R&D effort appears moderate. Without specific benchmarks for 'EXPOLITING PERCEPTUAL ABILITIES' (EPA), direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, R&D contracts often have inherent uncertainties, making fixed pricing difficult. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure suggests the government is willing to cover costs plus a predetermined profit, aiming for a balance between contractor incentive and cost predictability. Comparison to similar R&D efforts in advanced physical and engineering sciences would be necessary for a more precise valuation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is generally expected to yield better pricing and innovative solutions. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it typically drives down costs and encourages a wider range of technical approaches, maximizing the potential for innovative and cost-effective solutions.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense and the Air Force, gaining advancements in perceptual abilities research. The services delivered involve cutting-edge research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The geographic impact is centered around the contractor's operations, likely within the United States, supporting national defense objectives. This contract supports a highly skilled workforce in specialized R&D fields.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- The long duration of the contract increases the risk of scope creep or evolving research needs.
- The specific nature of 'perceptual abilities' research may have inherent technical risks and uncertainties.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive environment that should drive value.
- The fixed fee component provides a level of cost certainty for the government.
- The contract supports critical R&D, potentially leading to significant technological advancements for national security.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for defense innovation, aiming to develop new technologies and capabilities. The market for defense R&D is substantial, with significant government investment aimed at maintaining technological superiority. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other R&D contracts awarded by DoD agencies for similar scientific disciplines.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract awarded to a major defense contractor (BAE Systems), it is unlikely to have significant direct subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless specified within the contract's statement of work. The focus on advanced R&D may also limit the types of small businesses that could participate.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates close monitoring of costs and progress to ensure adherence to the fixed fee and overall budget. Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would apply for investigations into fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
- Air Force Science and Technology Investments
- Advanced Technology Development Contracts
- Physical and Engineering Sciences Research
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost growth due to CPFF structure
- Long contract duration may lead to evolving requirements
- Technical risks inherent in advanced R&D
Tags
research-and-development, department-of-defense, department-of-the-air-force, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, delivery-order, large-contract, advanced-technology, physical-sciences, engineering-sciences, life-sciences, colorado
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $6.9 million to BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC.. "EXPOLITING PERCEPTUAL ABILITIES" (EPA)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS 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 $6.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-10-15. End: 2027-02-22.
What is the specific objective of the 'EXPOLITING PERCEPTUAL ABILITIES' (EPA) research?
The specific objective of the 'EXPOLITING PERCEPTUAL ABILITIES' (EPA) research is not detailed in the provided data. However, given the awarding agency (Department of the Air Force) and the R&D classification (541715), it likely pertains to enhancing human or machine perception for military applications. This could involve areas such as improving sensor data interpretation, human-computer interaction, cognitive enhancement for operators, or developing advanced simulation environments. The 'expoliting' term suggests a focus on leveraging or maximizing existing or developing perceptual capabilities to gain a strategic advantage. Further details would require access to the contract's statement of work or related documentation.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure impact contractor incentives and government oversight for this R&D contract?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure for this R&D contract means the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure incentivizes the contractor to complete the work efficiently to protect their profit margin, but it doesn't directly incentivize cost reduction beyond what's needed to achieve the fixed fee. For the government, it offers flexibility to adapt research as needed, but requires robust oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. The fixed fee provides a degree of cost certainty for the profit element, but the total cost can vary. This contrasts with fixed-price contracts where the contractor bears more cost risk.
What is BAE Systems' track record with similar R&D contracts for the Department of Defense?
BAE Systems is a major defense contractor with a substantial history of performing R&D contracts for the Department of Defense across various agencies, including the Air Force. They have a broad portfolio encompassing aerospace, electronics, and cyber technologies. While specific details on their performance for contracts directly related to 'perceptual abilities' are not provided here, their extensive experience in complex R&D projects suggests a strong capability. Government contract databases and performance reviews (e.g., CPARS) would offer more granular insights into their past performance on similar, albeit potentially different, R&D efforts.
Are there any specific performance metrics or milestones associated with this contract that indicate success?
The provided data does not include specific performance metrics or milestones for this contract. R&D contracts, especially those with a CPFF structure, often define success through the achievement of research objectives, delivery of prototypes, technical reports, or successful demonstrations rather than strict, quantifiable output metrics common in service or production contracts. The Air Force program office responsible for this contract would typically establish and monitor these milestones through regular progress reviews and technical evaluations outlined in the contract's statement of work.
How does this $6.9 million R&D award compare to the Air Force's overall R&D spending in fiscal year 2021?
The $6.9 million award for 'EXPOLITING PERCEPTUAL ABILITIES' represents a small fraction of the Department of the Air Force's overall Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) budget. In fiscal year 2021, the Air Force's RDT&E budget was in the tens of billions of dollars. For example, FY21 requests included over $30 billion for RDT&E. Therefore, this specific contract, while significant for the research area it covers, is a minor component within the larger R&D spending landscape of the Air Force, typical for specialized research initiatives.
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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1600 COMMERCE ST UNIT 1, 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: $7,396,278
Exercised Options: $7,396,278
Current Obligation: $6,922,206
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 16
Total Subaward Amount: $4,005,644
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA865020D6203
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-10-15
Current End Date: 2027-02-22
Potential End Date: 2027-02-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-21
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