DoD's $3.8M MADELINE contract to Innovative Signal Analysis Inc. for R&D in physical sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,801,939 ($3.8M)
Contractor: Innovative Signal Analysis Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-05-05
End Date: 2027-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,339 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MAXLIGHT DEVELOPMENT FOR ELINT EXPLOITATION (MADELINE)
Place of Performance
Location: RICHARDSON, COLLIN County, TEXAS, 75082
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $3.8 million to INNOVATIVE SIGNAL ANALYSIS INC. for work described as: MAXLIGHT DEVELOPMENT FOR ELINT EXPLOITATION (MADELINE) Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development in physical sciences, focusing on ELINT exploitation. 2. The contract type is a definitive contract with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure. 3. Awarded by the Department of the Air Force, indicating a focus on advanced defense capabilities. 4. The contract duration is over 3 years, suggesting a significant research effort. 5. The small business set-aside is false, implying the contract was open to larger entities. 6. The primary place of performance is Texas, a state with a strong defense industry presence.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $3.8 million for a definitive contract with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure for R&D is within a typical range for specialized research. However, without specific benchmarks for ELINT exploitation R&D, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed fee component provides some cost control, but the cost-plus nature means actual costs could exceed initial estimates. Further analysis would require comparing this to similar R&D efforts in signal intelligence.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple bidders were likely considered. The presence of two bidders indicates a degree of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery. However, the specific nature of ELINT exploitation research may limit the pool of qualified contractors, potentially impacting the intensity of competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value by encouraging multiple companies to bid, driving down prices and fostering innovation.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and the Air Force, who will receive advanced capabilities in electronic intelligence exploitation. The services delivered involve research and development, likely leading to new technologies or improved methods for analyzing electronic signals. The geographic impact is primarily within Texas, where the contract will be performed. Workforce implications may include specialized R&D roles for scientists and engineers in the defense sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- The specialized nature of ELINT exploitation may limit the pool of qualified contractors, potentially affecting competition.
- The duration of the contract (over 3 years) requires sustained oversight to ensure progress and value.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
- The fixed fee component provides some predictability in contractor profit.
- Performance in Texas leverages a region with established defense industry expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for electronic intelligence (ELINT) exploitation is a niche but critical area within defense technology. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for advanced intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities to maintain a technological edge. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other DoD R&D contracts for signal processing and intelligence analysis.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the 'sb' field is false. This suggests that the competition was open to all responsible sources, including large businesses. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem in this specialized R&D effort.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program management office within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures are inherent in the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, which requires detailed reporting of costs and progress. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but specific project details may be classified due to the nature of ELINT. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems
- Electronic Warfare Systems
- Advanced Signal Processing Research
- Defense Research and Development Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
- Limited Competition Pool
- Technical Performance Uncertainty
Tags
research-and-development, department-of-defense, department-of-the-air-force, definitive-contract, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, signal-intelligence, texas, large-business, r&d-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $3.8 million to INNOVATIVE SIGNAL ANALYSIS INC.. MAXLIGHT DEVELOPMENT FOR ELINT EXPLOITATION (MADELINE)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INNOVATIVE SIGNAL ANALYSIS 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 $3.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-05-05. End: 2027-09-30.
What is the track record of Innovative Signal Analysis Inc. with government contracts, particularly in R&D for defense?
Innovative Signal Analysis Inc. has a history of securing contracts with various government agencies, including the Department of Defense. Their specialization in signal processing and analysis suggests a focus on areas relevant to intelligence and defense applications. To fully assess their track record for this specific contract, a deeper dive into their past performance on similar Cost Plus Fixed Fee R&D contracts would be necessary. This would involve examining on-time delivery, adherence to budget, and the quality of deliverables on previous projects. Information from contract databases and performance reports would be crucial for a comprehensive evaluation.
How does the $3.8 million contract value compare to similar ELINT exploitation R&D efforts?
Benchmarking the $3.8 million contract value for ELINT exploitation R&D is challenging without access to proprietary data on similar projects. However, R&D contracts in specialized defense technology areas can range significantly based on complexity, duration, and required expertise. Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure and a performance period extending over three years, this value appears moderate for a focused research effort. A more precise comparison would require analyzing the scope of work, the number of personnel involved, and the specific technological advancements sought, against other DoD contracts for advanced signal intelligence research.
What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for R&D?
The primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D include potential cost overruns, as the government bears the risk of actual costs incurred by the contractor, up to the negotiated fixed fee. Scope creep is another significant risk; if the research objectives are not clearly defined or if new requirements emerge, costs and timelines can escalate. Contractor performance risk is also present, as the success of R&D is inherently uncertain and depends on the contractor's technical expertise and innovation. Effective oversight, clear milestones, and regular performance reviews are critical to mitigating these risks.
How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach likely to be for this specialized R&D contract?
The 'full and open competition' approach is generally effective in maximizing value and innovation by allowing any qualified vendor to bid. For specialized R&D like ELINT exploitation, its effectiveness depends on the breadth of the qualified vendor pool. If only a few companies possess the necessary expertise, competition might be limited despite the open approach. The fact that two bids were received suggests some level of competition, but the true measure of effectiveness will be the quality of the research and the technological advancements achieved relative to the cost. Continuous monitoring of the competitive landscape for such niche technologies is advisable.
What are the historical spending patterns for ELINT exploitation R&D within the Department of the Air Force?
Historical spending patterns for ELINT exploitation R&D within the Department of the Air Force typically reflect a consistent investment in advanced intelligence capabilities. These investments are driven by evolving threats and the need for sophisticated signal analysis tools. Spending in this area often fluctuates based on technological breakthroughs, strategic priorities, and budget allocations. Analyzing past budgets for R&D programs related to signals intelligence and electronic warfare would provide context for the $3.8 million awarded to Innovative Signal Analysis Inc., indicating whether this represents a typical, increased, or decreased level of investment for such research.
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: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: FA875020S7015
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3301 E RENNER RD STE 200, RICHARDSON, TX, 75082
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,945,053
Exercised Options: $6,945,053
Current Obligation: $3,801,939
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-05-05
Current End Date: 2027-09-30
Potential End Date: 2027-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-13
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