DoD's $37M COBRA DANE ADPE-R VAX-R contract awarded to Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $37,073,394 ($37.1M)

Contractor: Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-09-01

End Date: 2026-06-01

Contract Duration: 1,369 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: COBRA DANE (CD)AUTOMATED DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT-REHOST (ADPE-R) VIRTUAL ADDRESS EXTENSION REPLACEMENT (VAX-R)

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30318

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $37.1 million to GEORGIA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH CORP for work described as: COBRA DANE (CD)AUTOMATED DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT-REHOST (ADPE-R) VIRTUAL ADDRESS EXTENSION REPLACEMENT (VAX-R) Key points: 1. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Awarded to Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp, a non-small business. 3. The contract has a duration of 1369 days, ending June 1, 2026. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee. 5. This is a sole-source award.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the $37M price is optimal.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this $37M contract raises concerns about potential overspending of taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense is investing $37M in advanced research and development. This contract supports the COBRA DANE program, likely for critical national security functions. The award to Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp suggests a reliance on specialized expertise. Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
No indication of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Supports critical R&D for the Department of Defense.
Leverages specialized expertise from Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp.

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 technological advancement but requires careful oversight to ensure value for money.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no information provided on whether small businesses were subcontracted.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the contractor is delivering value and managing costs effectively. Accountability will be key to justifying the expenditure.

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

Lack of competition
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
Potential for cost overruns
No small business set-aside
Limited transparency on sole-source justification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $37.1 million to GEORGIA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH CORP. COBRA DANE (CD)AUTOMATED DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT-REHOST (ADPE-R) VIRTUAL ADDRESS EXTENSION REPLACEMENT (VAX-R)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GEORGIA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH 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 $37.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-01. End: 2026-06-01.

What specific technological advancements or capabilities is this contract expected to deliver for the COBRA DANE program?

The contract aims to replace virtual address extension capabilities for the COBRA DANE Automated Data Processing Equipment-Rehost system. This likely involves modernizing or upgrading the underlying computing infrastructure to support the radar system's data processing needs, potentially enhancing its performance, reliability, or security.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?

The justification for a sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, such awards are made when only one source possesses the unique capabilities or proprietary technology required. Without competition, ensuring fair pricing relies heavily on robust government cost analysis and negotiation.

How will the effectiveness and value of this $37M R&D investment be measured and assessed by the Department of the Air Force?

Effectiveness will likely be measured against defined technical performance metrics and milestones outlined in the contract. Value assessment will involve evaluating the delivered capabilities against the program's objectives and comparing the final cost to the anticipated benefits and potential alternative solutions, even if not competitively bid.

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: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 926 DALNEY ST NW, ATLANTA, GA, 30318

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $39,962,720

Exercised Options: $38,580,176

Current Obligation: $37,073,394

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $12,497,632

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA873021D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline