DoD Awards $22.1M R&D Contract to Teledyne Scientific for Physical Sciences Research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,102,963 ($22.1M)

Contractor: Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-12-13

End Date: 2025-06-30

Contract Duration: 3,121 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF FOCUSED OPPORTUNITY REACHING TOWARD RELIABLE ELECTRO

Place of Performance

Location: THOUSAND OAKS, VENTURA County, CALIFORNIA, 91360

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $22.1 million to TELEDYNE SCIENTIFIC & IMAGING, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF FOCUSED OPPORTUNITY REACHING TOWARD RELIABLE ELECTRO Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC for R&D in physical sciences. 2. The contract has a significant duration, extending to June 2025. 3. This is a sole-source award, raising questions about competition and price discovery. 4. The sector is Research and Development, a critical area for technological advancement.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific details on deliverables and scope.

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 not result in the best value for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this $22.1 million contract raises concerns about potential overspending and whether alternative, more cost-effective solutions were explored.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competitive bidding. The long duration of the contract could indicate a complex or evolving research project. The specific research area is crucial for national security and technological advancement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can be prone to cost overruns.
Long contract duration requires ongoing oversight.

Positive Signals

Supports critical R&D in physical sciences.
Awarded to a known entity in the scientific field.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is vital for innovation but requires careful oversight to ensure value for money.

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 subcontracting opportunities were explored.

Oversight & Accountability

Given the sole-source nature and Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, robust oversight is essential to monitor costs, ensure progress aligns with objectives, and prevent potential waste or fraud.

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

Lack of competition
Potential for cost overruns (CPFF)
Limited transparency on research objectives
No indication of small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $22.1 million to TELEDYNE SCIENTIFIC & IMAGING, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF FOCUSED OPPORTUNITY REACHING TOWARD RELIABLE ELECTRO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TELEDYNE SCIENTIFIC & IMAGING, LLC.

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 $22.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-12-13. End: 2025-06-30.

What specific research objectives does this contract aim to achieve, and how do they align with DoD priorities?

The contract focuses on 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)'. While the specific objectives are not detailed, such R&D is generally aligned with DoD priorities for advancing technological capabilities, enhancing national security, and maintaining a strategic advantage through innovation in areas like materials science, advanced manufacturing, and sensor technology.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive approaches considered?

The justification for a sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess if competitive alternatives were adequately explored or if this was the most cost-effective approach.

How will the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure be managed to ensure cost control and prevent scope creep over the contract's duration?

Effective management of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract requires stringent oversight of incurred costs, regular performance reviews, and clear definition of milestones. The Air Force must implement robust auditing processes and performance metrics to ensure Teledyne Scientific adheres to the research plan, controls expenses, and achieves the fixed fee objectives without unnecessary cost escalation or deviations from the original scope.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Teledyne Technologies Incorporated

Address: 1049 CAMINO DOS RIOS, THOUSAND OAKS, CA, 91360

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,105,809

Exercised Options: $22,105,809

Current Obligation: $22,102,963

Actual Outlays: $3,388,194

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 20

Total Subaward Amount: $4,923,692

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline