DoD Awards Raytheon $3.95M for Low Cost Air to Ground Radar Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,950,000 ($4.0M)
Contractor: Raytheon Company
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-07-08
End Date: 2026-07-08
Contract Duration: 730 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: LOW COST AIR TO GROUND RADAR
Place of Performance
Location: EGLIN AFB, OKALOOSA County, FLORIDA, 32542
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $4.0 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY for work described as: LOW COST AIR TO GROUND RADAR Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced radar technology for the Air Force. 2. Raytheon Company, a major defense contractor, is the awardee. 3. Research and Development focus within a specialized scientific category. 4. Potential for enhanced aerial surveillance and targeting capabilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is for research and development, making direct pricing comparisons difficult. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring of costs to ensure value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value.
Taxpayer Impact: The $3.95 million award represents a targeted investment in R&D, with potential long-term benefits for national security outweighing the immediate cost.
Public Impact
Enhances U.S. Air Force's technological edge in air-to-ground operations. Supports innovation in defense technology, potentially leading to future system upgrades. Contributes to the economic activity within the aerospace and defense sector in Florida.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- The specific performance metrics and deliverables for this R&D effort are not detailed, posing a risk to assessing true value.
- Reliance on a single large contractor for critical R&D may limit broader industry innovation.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
- Focus on 'low cost' suggests an effort towards fiscal efficiency in technology development.
- The project is aligned with the Department of Defense's strategic modernization goals.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining technological superiority, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific research area and project scope.
Small Business Impact
While the primary awardee is Raytheon Company, a large business, the R&D process may involve subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in specialized areas of technology and manufacturing.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Air Force is responsible for oversight. Given the R&D nature, oversight will focus on progress against research milestones and adherence to the cost ceiling.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in the award data.
- Dependency on a single large contractor for innovation.
- The 'low cost' aspect requires careful validation to ensure it doesn't compromise essential capabilities.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, fl, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $4.0 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY. LOW COST AIR TO GROUND RADAR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RAYTHEON COMPANY.
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 $4.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-07-08. End: 2026-07-08.
What specific technological advancements does this 'low cost' radar aim to achieve compared to existing systems?
The contract focuses on research and development, implying the goal is to explore novel approaches to radar technology that reduce manufacturing and operational costs while potentially enhancing performance metrics like resolution, range, or target discrimination. Specific advancements would be detailed in the technical proposals submitted during the full and open competition phase.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of this R&D effort?
As this is an R&D contract, success metrics likely revolve around achieving specific technical milestones, demonstrating proof-of-concept for the low-cost design, and validating performance against defined research objectives. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates tracking expenditures against planned research activities to ensure efficient use of funds.
How will the effectiveness of the developed radar be validated before full-scale production or deployment?
Effectiveness validation will likely involve a phased approach, starting with laboratory testing and simulations of the developed technology. Subsequent phases may include integration testing with existing platforms and field trials under realistic operational conditions to assess its performance and reliability in an air-to-ground role.
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
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: RTX Corp
Address: 1151 E HERMANS RD, TUCSON, AZ, 85756
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,899,918
Exercised Options: $4,899,918
Current Obligation: $3,950,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA865119D0040
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-07-08
Current End Date: 2026-07-08
Potential End Date: 2026-07-08 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-06
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