GSA awards $20.5M contract for Combat Search and Rescue radio upgrades to Scientific Research Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,497,150 ($20.5M)

Contractor: Scientific Research Corporation

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2012-05-02

End Date: 2018-01-28

Contract Duration: 2,097 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: MCHC130 COMBAT SEARCH AND RESCUE CSAR 833KHZ UHFVHFSATCOM RADIO UPGRADE

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, COBB County, GEORGIA, 30339

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $20.5 million to SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION for work described as: MCHC130 COMBAT SEARCH AND RESCUE CSAR 833KHZ UHFVHFSATCOM RADIO UPGRADE Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical communication system upgrades for Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions. 2. Scientific Research Corporation, the sole awardee, has a history of providing specialized aerospace and defense electronics. 3. The contract spans over six years, indicating a long-term need for these communication capabilities. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs, but requires careful monitoring of scope creep. 5. This upgrade addresses a specific technological need within the Air Force's CSAR program. 6. The award value represents a significant investment in enhancing the survivability and effectiveness of CSAR operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $20.5 million for the MCHC130 Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) radio upgrade appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the equipment and the six-year duration. Benchmarking against similar complex avionics upgrade contracts is challenging due to the specific nature of the UHF/VHF SATCOM radio system. However, the award was made under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process that should have driven a fair price. The firm-fixed-price contract type further supports cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources were excluded, potentially limiting the overall pool of bidders. The presence of four bidders suggests some level of competition, but the exclusion of certain sources warrants further investigation to understand if it unduly restricted market participation and potentially impacted price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition, even after an initial exclusion of sources, may have resulted in a higher price for taxpayers than if a broader, unrestricted competition had been conducted.

Public Impact

Enhances the communication capabilities of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) aircraft, directly supporting the safety and effectiveness of rescue missions. Improves the survivability of downed aircrews by ensuring reliable communication links during critical rescue operations. Benefits the U.S. Air Force by modernizing essential avionics for a key mission set. Supports specialized technical jobs in aerospace electronics manufacturing and integration within Scientific Research Corporation. The upgrade impacts the operational readiness of CSAR units, ensuring they have the latest technology for their demanding roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to exclusion of sources impacting price.
Firm-fixed-price contracts can lead to cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical system upgrade could pose supply chain risks.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need for modernized CSAR communication systems.
Long-term contract provides stability for the supplier and ensures sustained support.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aerospace and defense electronics sector, specifically focusing on avionics and communication systems for military aircraft. The market for specialized military communication upgrades is characterized by high technical barriers to entry, stringent certification requirements, and long product development cycles. Spending in this area is driven by the need for technological superiority and operational effectiveness in defense missions. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely involve other major avionics upgrade programs for platforms like the C-130 or similar military transport and special mission aircraft.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. The prime contractor, Scientific Research Corporation, is a mid-sized business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Scientific Research Corporation actively engages small businesses for specialized components or services not covered by the prime contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the purview of the General Services Administration (GSA) and the relevant U.S. Air Force program office. As a purchase order issued through the Federal Acquisition Service, standard GSA procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms would apply. Accountability is ensured through the firm-fixed-price contract terms, delivery schedules, and performance requirements. Transparency is facilitated by federal procurement data systems, although detailed operational oversight specifics are not provided.

Related Government Programs

Air Force Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Program
C-130 Hercules Avionics Modernization Programs
Military Communication Systems Upgrades
Aerospace Electronics Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Potential for integration challenges with existing aircraft systems.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical component supply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $20.5 million to SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION. MCHC130 COMBAT SEARCH AND RESCUE CSAR 833KHZ UHFVHFSATCOM RADIO UPGRADE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-05-02. End: 2018-01-28.

What is the specific technical capability being upgraded on the MCHC130 CSAR aircraft?

The contract focuses on upgrading the 833KHz UHF/VHF SATCOM radio system for the MCHC130 Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) aircraft. This upgrade aims to enhance the reliability, security, and range of communication capabilities essential for locating, rescuing, and recovering downed aircrew in contested or remote environments. Modernizing these radios is critical for ensuring interoperability with other assets, improving situational awareness for rescue teams, and maintaining secure voice and data links during complex missions. The specific technical improvements likely involve transitioning to more advanced digital signal processing, enhanced encryption, and potentially satellite communication capabilities that offer greater bandwidth and global coverage compared to older analog systems.

How does the competition level of 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' impact value for money?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' designation suggests a complex procurement history. While it implies an initial intent for broad competition, the subsequent exclusion of specific sources indicates that not all potential offerors were considered. This can negatively impact value for money if the excluded sources were capable and could have offered more competitive pricing or innovative solutions. The fact that four bidders still participated indicates some market interest, but the exclusion raises questions about whether the government secured the best possible price and technological solution. A truly unrestricted full and open competition typically yields the most competitive pricing due to the widest possible market engagement.

What is the track record of Scientific Research Corporation in delivering similar aerospace communication systems?

Scientific Research Corporation (SRC) has a significant track record in providing advanced electronics and systems for aerospace and defense applications. They specialize in areas such as command and control, electronic warfare, and communication systems. SRC has previously worked on various military aircraft programs, including upgrades and modifications for C-130 variants and other platforms requiring sophisticated avionics. Their experience includes system design, integration, testing, and sustainment of complex electronic systems. While specific details on past CSAR radio upgrade contracts are not provided, SRC's general expertise in military avionics and communications suggests a capability to execute this type of requirement. Their history indicates a capacity to handle firm-fixed-price contracts for specialized technological solutions.

Are there any performance risks associated with this specific radio upgrade contract?

Performance risks associated with this radio upgrade contract could include technical integration challenges, potential delays in component sourcing, and ensuring the new radios meet all stringent military operational requirements and environmental testing standards. Given the specialized nature of SATCOM radios and their integration into existing aircraft platforms, unforeseen technical hurdles during development or testing are possible. Furthermore, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract means that any cost overruns due to these risks would likely be borne by the contractor, potentially incentivizing them to cut corners if not managed closely. Ensuring the contractor has robust quality assurance processes and experienced technical personnel is crucial to mitigating these risks.

How does this spending compare to other C-130 modernization efforts?

The $20.5 million awarded to Scientific Research Corporation for the MCHC130 CSAR radio upgrade represents a specific component of broader C-130 modernization efforts. C-130 modernization programs can encompass a wide range of upgrades, including avionics suites, structural enhancements, engine replacements, and mission-specific modifications. Individual avionics upgrades, like this radio system enhancement, typically range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on complexity and the number of aircraft affected. Larger, comprehensive modernization programs involving multiple system overhauls can cost hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. Therefore, this $20.5 million contract is a significant but focused investment within the overall lifecycle management and upgrade strategy for the C-130 fleet.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Aircraft Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: ID04120167

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2300 WINDY RGE PWY STE 400S, ATLANTA, GA, 30339

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,497,150

Exercised Options: $20,497,150

Current Obligation: $20,497,150

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Timeline