DoD's $19.1M Advanced Laser Tech Research Contract with Leidos Raises Questions on Value and Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,115,673 ($19.1M)
Contractor: Leidos, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2012-10-10
End Date: 2018-06-30
Contract Duration: 2,089 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ADVANCED LASER TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH - HIGH POWER LASER RESEARCH
Place of Performance
Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $19.1 million to LEIDOS, INC. for work described as: ADVANCED LASER TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH - HIGH POWER LASER RESEARCH Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Leidos, Inc. for advanced laser technology research represents a significant investment in R&D. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. 4. The sector is Research and Development, a critical area for defense modernization.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's value of $19.1M for advanced laser research needs further scrutiny against similar R&D contracts. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, assessing its value for money is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is a positive sign for price discovery. However, the specific details of the bidding and selection process are needed to confirm if the best value was achieved.
Taxpayer Impact: The $19.1M spent on this contract represents taxpayer funds allocated to advanced research, with the ultimate benefit to national security and technological advancement yet to be fully realized.
Public Impact
Taxpayers are funding cutting-edge research in laser technology, potentially leading to future defense capabilities. The research could have dual-use applications, benefiting both military and civilian sectors. Long-term implications for technological superiority in defense are a key public interest.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
- Long contract duration (2089 days) increases risk of scope creep or obsolescence.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Focus on critical R&D for national security.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced physical sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining a technological edge, but often involves higher risk and longer payoff periods compared to procurement contracts.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight of this research contract would focus on ensuring progress aligns with stated objectives and that funds are used efficiently. The Department of the Air Force is responsible for monitoring performance and adherence to contract terms.
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
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
- Difficulty in measuring ROI for R&D contracts.
- Risk of research becoming obsolete before application.
- Lack of transparency on specific research outcomes.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $19.1 million to LEIDOS, INC.. ADVANCED LASER TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH - HIGH POWER LASER RESEARCH
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LEIDOS, 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 $19.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-10-10. End: 2018-06-30.
What specific technological advancements or milestones were achieved as a result of this $19.1M investment in advanced laser research?
The provided data does not detail the specific outcomes or deliverables of the advanced laser technology research. Further investigation into contract performance reports and technical documentation would be required to ascertain the precise advancements made and their impact on the Department of Defense's capabilities.
How did the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure impact the final cost and efficiency of this research project compared to other contract types?
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts, while allowing for flexibility in research, can sometimes lead to higher costs if the contractor's overhead and profit margins are substantial. Without comparative data from similar projects under different contract types, it's challenging to definitively assess the efficiency impact here.
What is the long-term strategic value of this laser technology research to the Department of Defense's future operational effectiveness?
The strategic value lies in potential advancements in areas like directed energy weapons, advanced sensing, or secure communications. However, the long-term impact is contingent on successful research translation into deployable technologies and integration into existing or future defense systems.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except 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
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 611641312)
Address: 11951 FREEDOM DR, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,999,970
Exercised Options: $20,999,970
Current Obligation: $19,115,673
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 9
Total Subaward Amount: $261,447
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-10-10
Current End Date: 2018-06-30
Potential End Date: 2018-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-03-28
More Contracts from Leidos, Inc.
- Science Operation and Maintenance Support for the United States Antarctic Program — $3.1B (National Science Foundation)
- Provide Funding for Clin 302 for Pre-Flight and In-Flight Services. Contract Number Dtfawa-05-C-00031, Lockheed Martin. POP 01/16/08-03/31/08 — $1.9B (Department of Transportation)
- THE Facilities Development and Operations Contract(fdoc) Specifies Technical, Managerial, and Adminstrative Work Needed to Ensure the Availablitity, Integrity, and Reliability of Missionoperations Facilites Supporting National Aeronautics and Space Administration (nasa) Human Space Flight (HSF) Programs Requiring Mission Operations Support. the Objective of This Contract IS to Consolidate Efforts Across the Facilities Covered Under Fodoc in Order to Maximize Synergy for Hardware and Software Development, Modification, Sustaining. Maintenance, Reconfiguration, and Operations for the Purpose of Reducing Cost Without Compromising Facility Functionality and Performance. Nasa Will Collaborate With the Contractor on Developing Procedural and Technical Innovations That Improve Quality, Ensure Customer Satisfaction and Reduce Cost. Mission Operations Facilities Currently Support the Space Shuttle Programand the International Space Station Progra, Including International Partner and Commmercial Visiting Vehicles. Mission Operations Facilities Supporting the Cnstellation Program(cxp) ARE Continuously Under Development in Concert With CXP Formulation and Implementation. Fdoc Applies to the Facilities of These Three Programs, and ANY Other HSF Program Requiring Mission Operations Facility Support. in Addition, Future Mission Operations Facilities and Capabilities ARE Within the Technical Scope of This SOW, and Fdoc Worlk Associated With These Facilities Will BE Enabled Through Idiq — $1.3B (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- National Airspace System (NAS) Implementation Support Contract (nisc). Provides Engineering and Technical Support Services to FAA Organizations Responsible for NAS Transformation, Integration and Implementation in the Areas of Implementation and Integration Planning, Transition Planning, Engineering Support, Environmental Support, Automation Support and Other Engineering and Technical Disciplines AS Required. TAS::69 8107::TAS — $1.1B (Department of Transportation)
- Itssc Task Order for Systems — $1.1B (Social Security Administration)
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)