DoD's $19.9M contract for spectrum sharing R&D awarded to Shared Spectrum Company

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,931,723 ($19.9M)

Contractor: Shared Spectrum Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-06-22

End Date: 2008-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,227 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200509!000756!5700!FA8750!AFRL/IFK !FA875005C0150 !A!N! !Y! ! !20050622!20070822!029992497!029992497!029992497!N!SHARED SPECTRUM COMPANY !1595 SPRING HILL ROAD, SUI!VIENNA !VA!22182!81072!059!51!VIENNA !FAIRFAX !VIRGINIA !+000007177954!N!N!000016999278!AD92!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-APPLIED RESEARCH !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !000 !* !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !20200930!B!A! !B! !A!N!U!2!001!E! !Z!Y!Z! ! !N!B!N!N! ! !A! !A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: VIENNA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22182

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.9 million to SHARED SPECTRUM COMPANY for work described as: 200509!000756!5700!FA8750!AFRL/IFK !FA875005C0150 !A!N! !Y! ! !20050622!20070822!029992497!029992497!029992497!N!SHARED SPECTRUM COMPANY !1595 SPRING HILL ROAD, SUI!VIENNA !VA!22182!81072!059!51!VIENNA !FAIR… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Focus on electronics and communication equipment, specifically spectrum sharing technologies. 3. Contractor has a significant track record with the Department of Defense. 4. Awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 5. Performance period spanned over two years, indicating a substantial R&D effort. 6. Located in Virginia, a hub for defense contracting and technology development.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $19.9 million for a two-year R&D effort in spectrum sharing technology appears within a reasonable range for specialized defense research. Benchmarking against similar contracts for advanced electronics and communication R&D is challenging due to the unique nature of spectrum sharing. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure suggests that the government aimed to control costs while incentivizing the contractor to achieve specific objectives. Further analysis would require detailed cost breakdowns and comparison to industry R&D investment in similar technologies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This indicates that while the competition was open, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria, possibly related to proprietary technology or unique capabilities. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive process was intended, which should theoretically lead to better price discovery. However, the 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation into the rationale behind excluding potential competitors.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive process, even with exclusions, aims to secure the best value for taxpayers. The exclusion of sources could potentially limit the range of innovative solutions and may impact the final price if fewer bidders meant less aggressive pricing.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from advancements in spectrum sharing technology, potentially improving military communications and electronic warfare capabilities. The contract supports research and development in advanced electronics and communication equipment. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the contractor is located, potentially supporting local high-tech jobs. The workforce implications include specialized engineers and researchers in the fields of telecommunications and electronic engineering.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in a full and open competition needs clarification to ensure maximum competition.
Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The specific R&D outcomes and their direct applicability to current defense needs require further assessment.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a single contractor, Shared Spectrum Company, suggesting specialized expertise.
The contract duration of over two years indicates a commitment to a significant R&D project.
The contract falls under Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) funding, prioritizing innovation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology and Defense sectors, specifically focusing on Research and Development for advanced communication technologies. The market for spectrum sharing solutions is driven by increasing demand for wireless bandwidth and the need for efficient spectrum utilization. The Department of Defense is a major investor in such technologies to maintain communication superiority and address electronic warfare challenges. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the niche nature of spectrum sharing R&D, but significant government investment in defense R&D is common.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides. The contractor, Shared Spectrum Company, is a private entity. The implications for small businesses would depend on whether they were involved as subcontractors, which is not detailed in the provided data. Without subcontracting information, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), responsible for ensuring contractor performance and compliance. Accountability measures are inherent in the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, which requires the contractor to meet defined objectives within a set fee. Transparency regarding the specific R&D outcomes and expenditures would be subject to government reporting requirements and potential declassification.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Advanced Communications Technology Initiatives
Spectrum Management and Allocation Programs
Electronics and Communication Equipment Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Cost overruns possible with CPFF contract type if not managed closely.
Specificity of R&D outcomes and their direct defense applicability requires further review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.9 million to SHARED SPECTRUM COMPANY. 200509!000756!5700!FA8750!AFRL/IFK !FA875005C0150 !A!N! !Y! ! !20050622!20070822!029992497!029992497!029992497!N!SHARED SPECTRUM COMPANY !1595 SPRING HILL ROAD, SUI!VIENNA !VA!22182!81072!059!51!VIENNA !FAIRFAX !VIRGINIA !+000007177954!N!N!000016999278!AD92!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-APPLIED RESEARCH !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !000 !* !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !202

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SHARED SPECTRUM COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-06-22. End: 2008-10-31.

What specific spectrum sharing technologies was Shared Spectrum Company contracted to develop?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' with a Product Service Code (PSC) of '541710' (Electronics and Communication Equipment) and a NationalНаименование (NAICS) of '541710' (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). While the specific focus is 'spectrum sharing,' the exact nature of the technologies developed, such as dynamic spectrum access, cognitive radio applications, or interference mitigation techniques, is not detailed. Further investigation into contract line item numbers (CLINs) or technical reports associated with this award would be necessary to ascertain the precise technological advancements pursued.

How does the $19.9 million contract value compare to similar R&D efforts in spectrum sharing technology?

Directly comparing the $19.9 million contract value for spectrum sharing R&D is challenging due to the specialized and often proprietary nature of this field. However, for context, major defense R&D contracts for advanced electronics and communication systems can range from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars. The duration of this contract (over two years) suggests a substantial research effort. Without access to specific benchmarks for spectrum sharing R&D from other government agencies or private sector investments, it's difficult to definitively state if this value is high or low. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure implies a negotiated fee based on estimated costs, aiming for a balance between contractor incentive and government cost control.

What is the track record of Shared Spectrum Company with the Department of Defense prior to this contract?

Shared Spectrum Company has a history of engaging with the Department of Defense. The data indicates this specific contract (FA875005C0150) was awarded in 2005. While this data point doesn't detail prior contracts, the existence of this significant award suggests a prior relationship and likely past performance evaluations. A comprehensive assessment of their track record would involve reviewing other contracts awarded to them by DoD, their performance ratings on those contracts, and any history of contract disputes or awards.

What were the key performance indicators or deliverables expected under this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list the key performance indicators (KPIs) or specific deliverables for this contract. As a research and development contract under a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, the expected outcomes likely included technical reports, prototypes, feasibility studies, or demonstrations related to spectrum sharing technologies. The 'RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-APPLIED RESEARCH' designation suggests a focus on advancing applied scientific knowledge and technology for defense purposes. Detailed performance expectations would typically be outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW).

How did the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' impact the bidding process and final price?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' suggests that the solicitation was broadly advertised, but specific potential offerors were intentionally excluded. The reasons for exclusion are not provided but could be based on factors like unique intellectual property, specialized facilities, or security clearances. While 'full and open' aims for broad competition, the exclusion clause inherently limits the pool of bidders. The impact on the final price is uncertain; fewer bidders might lead to less aggressive pricing, but if the excluded sources lacked the specific capabilities required, the remaining competition could still yield a competitive price. The effectiveness of this approach depends heavily on the justification for the exclusions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1595 SPRING HILL ROAD, SUI, VIENNA, VA, 22182

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline