DoD's $20.17M Protected Tactical Milsatcom Contract Awarded to Boeing in 2012

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,165,773 ($20.2M)

Contractor: THE Boeing Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2012-09-28

End Date: 2014-09-18

Contract Duration: 720 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 19

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: PROTECTED TACTICAL MILSATCOM

Place of Performance

Location: EL SEGUNDO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90245

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.2 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: PROTECTED TACTICAL MILSATCOM Key points: 1. Boeing secured a significant contract for protected tactical satellite communications. 2. The contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The award value of $20.17 million was for a 720-day duration. 5. The contract was awarded by the Department of the Air Force.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $20.17 million for a 720-day duration appears reasonable for a complex R&D project in satellite communications. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D contracts would provide a clearer picture of its value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The use of full and open competition indicates that multiple vendors were likely invited to bid, fostering price discovery and potentially leading to a more competitive price. The specific pricing structure (firm fixed price) further supports this.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayer funds were likely used efficiently, as the government sought the best value through an open bidding process.

Public Impact

Enhances national security through advanced satellite communication capabilities. Supports military operations with reliable and secure tactical communication. Drives innovation in the aerospace and defense technology sector. Potential for technological advancements with broad applications.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
  • Potential for cost overruns in R&D projects.
  • Dependence on a single contractor (Boeing) for this specific capability.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded through full and open competition.
  • Firm fixed price contract type.
  • Supports critical defense infrastructure.
  • Awarded to a reputable defense contractor.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The aerospace and defense sub-sector is characterized by high R&D investment and complex technological requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded to The Boeing Company, a large prime contractor. There is no explicit information on small business participation or subcontracting in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Air Force is responsible for oversight of this contract. The firm fixed price structure provides some cost control, but R&D projects often require ongoing monitoring for scope creep and adherence to milestones.

Related Government Programs

  • Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

  • R&D projects inherently carry a risk of technical challenges and delays.
  • Reliance on a single prime contractor for critical technology.
  • Potential for technology obsolescence over time.
  • Limited visibility into specific performance outcomes and taxpayer value.
  • No explicit mention of small business utilization.

Tags

research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ca, dca, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.2 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. PROTECTED TACTICAL MILSATCOM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BOEING 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 $20.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-09-28. End: 2014-09-18.

What were the key technical objectives and performance metrics for this Protected Tactical Milsatcom R&D effort, and how were they measured?

The provided data lacks specific technical objectives and performance metrics. Typically, such R&D contracts would outline deliverables related to satellite communication system design, testing, and validation. Measuring success would involve rigorous testing against defined performance standards for signal integrity, security, bandwidth, and operational reliability under various conditions.

What was the competitive landscape for this contract, and did the full and open competition result in significant cost savings compared to other potential award methods?

While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, the exact number of bidders and the resulting cost savings are not detailed. This method generally promotes price discovery by allowing multiple firms to compete. However, the specific value proposition and the government's negotiation strategy would ultimately determine the extent of cost savings achieved compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

How has the technology developed under this contract been integrated into current military operations, and what is its ongoing effectiveness?

Information on the direct integration and ongoing effectiveness of the technology developed under this specific 2012 contract is not available in the provided data. Successful R&D projects in Milsatcom often lead to incremental improvements or new system deployments. The effectiveness would be assessed through operational feedback, system performance monitoring, and its contribution to mission success in protected tactical communications.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTC – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Offers Received: 19

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 900 N SEPULVEDA BLVD, EL SEGUNDO, CA, 36

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,165,773

Exercised Options: $20,165,773

Current Obligation: $20,165,773

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $70,479

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2012-09-28

Current End Date: 2014-09-18

Potential End Date: 2014-09-18 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2014-09-18

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