DoD's $130M Ballistic Missile Defense contract to Beta Analytics Inc. awarded in 1999 for R&D services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,341,464 ($31.3M)

Contractor: Beta Analytics, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 1999-01-15

End Date: 2004-02-14

Contract Duration: 1,856 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 199905!9700!0110!ZD60 !BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE ORG. !HQ000699C0001 !A!*!* !19990115!20010104!130440241!130440241!130440241!N!3Y646!BETA ANALYTICS INC !9600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE !UPPER MARLBORO !MD!20772!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA !D.C. !0001!+000000918750!N!N!000000000000!AD93!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-ADV TECH DEV !S1 !SERVICES !1CAA!BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYS !8741!3!*!*!*!B!A!*!A !U!U!2!003!B!* !Z!N!Z!* !* !N!C!*!A!A!A!A!A!*!* !*!N!A!D!N!*!*!*!*!*!

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $31.3 million to BETA ANALYTICS, INCORPORATED for work described as: 199905!9700!0110!ZD60 !BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE ORG. !HQ000699C0001 !A!*!* !19990115!20010104!130440241!130440241!130440241!N!3Y646!BETA ANALYTICS INC !9600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE !UPPER MARLBORO !MD!20772!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTRI… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) in ballistic missile defense. 2. The contract was competed on a full and open basis, indicating broad market participation. 3. Awarded to Beta Analytics Inc., a company with a track record in defense contracting. 4. The contract duration was over 5 years, suggesting a significant, long-term requirement. 5. The contract type was Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), common for R&D where scope may evolve. 6. The Missile Defense Agency was the primary customer, aligning with the contract's technical focus.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total value of $130,440,241 over approximately five years suggests a substantial investment in missile defense R&D. Benchmarking this against similar R&D contracts from the late 1990s is challenging without more specific service details. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type implies that costs could fluctuate, and the final price is influenced by the fixed fee. The agency's decision to award this contract suggests they found the proposed value proposition from Beta Analytics Inc. to be acceptable at the time of award, considering the inherent uncertainties in research and development.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The data indicates there were three bidders for this contract. A competitive environment with multiple bidders generally allows for price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios. The agency's choice of full and open competition suggests a desire to leverage the broadest possible market for this critical defense capability.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and access to innovative solutions from a wider range of contractors.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. military and national security, through advancements in ballistic missile defense systems. Services delivered include research, development, testing, and evaluation related to advanced defense technologies. The geographic impact is national, focusing on strategic defense capabilities rather than specific regional deployment. Workforce implications include specialized R&D roles for scientists, engineers, and technical personnel within Beta Analytics Inc. and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly, as the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs plus a fixed fee.
The long duration of the contract (over 5 years) increases the risk of scope creep or evolving technological requirements that may not be fully captured in the initial award.
R&D contracts inherently carry risk due to the uncertainty of achieving desired technological outcomes.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract was awarded to a single entity, Beta Analytics Inc., indicating a focused approach to a specific R&D need.
The contract was for RDT&E services, directly supporting the development of critical national security capabilities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on advanced defense technologies. The Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) is a complex and critical area of military spending. The market for such specialized R&D is typically dominated by large defense contractors and specialized R&D firms. Spending in this area is driven by national security priorities and technological advancements in missile capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other major R&D programs within the Department of Defense focused on strategic defense systems.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As a large R&D contract awarded through full and open competition, the primary contractor, Beta Analytics Inc., would likely be responsible for managing subcontracting opportunities. It is possible that small businesses could have participated as subcontractors, contributing specialized expertise or services, but this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this Department of Defense contract would typically be managed by the Missile Defense Agency, potentially with involvement from the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) for contract administration. Inspector General (IG) oversight is standard for DoD contracts, providing an independent review of contract performance, cost, and compliance. Transparency would be facilitated through contract reporting mechanisms and agency oversight processes, though specific details on public transparency for this historical contract are limited.

Related Government Programs

Ballistic Missile Defense Systems
Advanced Technology Development
Department of Defense Research and Development
Missile Defense Agency Programs
Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to higher costs if not managed effectively.
Long contract duration increases risk of scope changes and evolving requirements.
R&D inherently involves uncertainty in achieving desired outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $31.3 million to BETA ANALYTICS, INCORPORATED. 199905!9700!0110!ZD60 !BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE ORG. !HQ000699C0001 !A!*!* !19990115!20010104!130440241!130440241!130440241!N!3Y646!BETA ANALYTICS INC !9600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE !UPPER MARLBORO !MD!20772!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA !D.C. !0001!+000000918750!N!N!000000000000!AD93!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-ADV TECH DEV !S1 !SERVICES !1CAA!BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYS !8741!3!*!*!*!B!A!*!A !U!U!2!0

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BETA ANALYTICS, INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Missile Defense Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $31.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 1999-01-15. End: 2004-02-14.

What was the specific nature of the R&D services provided by Beta Analytics Inc. under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-ADV TECH DEV' and specifically related to 'BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYS'. While the exact nature of the R&D is not detailed, it likely encompassed areas such as sensor development, interceptor technologies, system integration, simulation, and testing for the Ballistic Missile Defense System. This could involve research into new materials, advanced algorithms for target tracking and discrimination, or improvements to existing defense components. The contract's focus on advanced technology development suggests work on cutting-edge solutions to counter evolving missile threats.

How did Beta Analytics Inc.'s pricing compare to other bidders, and was it considered competitive?

The provided data confirms that this contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' and lists '3' bidders. However, the specific pricing details of each bidder, including Beta Analytics Inc.'s proposed price relative to the others, are not available in this dataset. We know the total award amount was $130,440,241. Without the proposals of the other two bidders, it's impossible to definitively state how competitive Beta Analytics Inc.'s pricing was. The fact that it was awarded suggests that, based on the evaluation criteria (which likely included technical merit, past performance, and price), Beta Analytics Inc. offered the best value to the government at the time of award.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones for this contract, and did Beta Analytics Inc. meet them?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), milestones, or performance reports for this contract. Contracts of this nature, especially R&D, typically have phased milestones tied to research progress, prototype development, testing phases, and final system integration. Performance would be assessed against these milestones and technical objectives. Without access to the contract's statement of work, performance work statement, or any post-award performance reviews, it is not possible to determine if Beta Analytics Inc. met its contractual obligations or KPIs.

What is Beta Analytics Inc.'s overall track record with the Department of Defense, particularly in missile defense R&D?

Beta Analytics Inc. (contractor code D60) has a history of receiving contracts from the Department of Defense. This specific contract (HQ000699C0001) for Ballistic Missile Defense R&D was a significant award. While this dataset doesn't provide a comprehensive history, it shows the company was capable of winning and performing on large, complex R&D contracts within the defense sector during that period. Further investigation into other DoD contract awards to Beta Analytics Inc. would be needed to fully assess their track record in missile defense R&D and other areas.

How has spending on Ballistic Missile Defense R&D evolved since this contract was awarded in 1999?

Spending on Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) R&D has significantly increased and evolved since 1999. Following the initial development phases and the perceived threats in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has seen substantial budget allocations. Investments have shifted towards developing and deploying layered defense systems, including Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD), Aegis BMD, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3). Technological advancements have continued, focusing on improved sensors, faster interceptors, and countermeasures. The overall trend has been towards more sophisticated, multi-layered systems to counter a wider range of missile threats, necessitating continuous R&D investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Office Administrative Services › Office Administrative Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Qinetiq Group PLC (UEI: 733131788)

Address: 9600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, UPPER MARLBORO, MD, 05

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline