DoD's $18.9M STAR-FISH Contract Awarded to Teledyne for Advanced R&D

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,925,882 ($18.9M)

Contractor: Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-03-26

End Date: 2029-06-22

Contract Duration: 1,914 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SPACE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCED RESEARCH - FAST-TRACKING INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE (STAR-FISH) ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (ARA) # FA9453-21-S-0001, CALL 010

Place of Performance

Location: THOUSAND OAKS, VENTURA County, CALIFORNIA, 91360

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $18.9 million to TELEDYNE SCIENTIFIC & IMAGING, LLC for work described as: SPACE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCED RESEARCH - FAST-TRACKING INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE (STAR-FISH) ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (ARA) # FA9453-21-S-0001, CALL 010 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC secured the award. 3. Significant duration of 1914 days suggests a long-term research effort. 4. The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, common in R&D.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure is typical for R&D where final costs are uncertain. Benchmarking CPFF contracts in this R&D category is challenging without more specific cost breakdowns, but the total award value appears reasonable for the scope and duration.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing by allowing all eligible offerors to participate.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition likely ensured a fair price, maximizing taxpayer value for this advanced research initiative.

Public Impact

Advancement of cutting-edge software and hardware technologies. Potential for breakthroughs in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Supports innovation within the Department of Defense's research arm. Long-term investment in technological superiority.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
Potential for cost overruns inherent in CPFF contracts.
Limited visibility into specific technological advancements expected.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Focus on critical R&D areas.
Long contract duration allows for in-depth research.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Federal spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement, with significant investment often directed towards defense applications to maintain a competitive edge.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). There is no indication of small business subcontracting goals in the provided data, suggesting limited direct impact on small businesses for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Air Force is the awarding agency, implying oversight from a major branch of the DoD. Further oversight details would depend on internal DoD reporting and auditing mechanisms for R&D contracts.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Cost overrun potential
Lack of specific performance metrics
Limited small business participation
Uncertainty of R&D outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $18.9 million to TELEDYNE SCIENTIFIC & IMAGING, LLC. SPACE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCED RESEARCH - FAST-TRACKING INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE (STAR-FISH) ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (ARA) # FA9453-21-S-0001, CALL 010

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 $18.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-26. End: 2029-06-22.

What specific technological advancements are anticipated from this contract, and how will they align with DoD strategic goals?

The contract aims to advance innovative software and hardware through research. Specific advancements are not detailed, but they are expected to support DoD's strategic objectives in areas like advanced computing, sensor technology, or materials science, ultimately enhancing national security capabilities and maintaining technological superiority.

What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract structure for this R&D project?

The primary risks with CPFF for R&D include potential cost overruns if research proves more complex or expensive than initially estimated, and the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts. Effective government oversight is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How will the success of the research be measured, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs)?

Success metrics and KPIs for R&D contracts, especially those with a CPFF structure, are often tied to achieving specific research milestones, delivering prototypes, or demonstrating proof-of-concept for new technologies. Detailed performance indicators are typically outlined in the contract's statement of work, which is not fully provided here.

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: TWO STEP

Solicitation ID: FA945321S0001

Offers Received: 3

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: $26,473,207

Exercised Options: $26,473,207

Current Obligation: $18,925,882

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 10

Total Subaward Amount: $7,192,093

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline