DoD's $49.8M EXACTO Phase I R&D Contract Awarded to Teledyne Scientific

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $49,819,114 ($49.8M)

Contractor: Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-11-21

End Date: 2015-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,321 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: EXACTO PHASE I

Place of Performance

Location: THOUSAND OAKS, VENTURA County, CALIFORNIA, 91360, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $49.8 million to TELEDYNE SCIENTIFIC & IMAGING, LLC for work described as: EXACTO PHASE I Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC secured the contract. 3. The contract falls under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). 4. Awarded via full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $49.8 million over its duration appears reasonable for a Phase I R&D effort by DARPA, which typically funds high-risk, high-reward research. Benchmarking against similar advanced R&D contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple bidders likely participated. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for advanced research and development.

Public Impact

Supports advanced technological development within the Department of Defense. Potential for breakthroughs in physical and engineering sciences. Contract duration of over 6 years suggests a significant research undertaking.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of specific Product Service Code (PSC) may obscure detailed spending analysis.
  • Contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded under full and open competition.
  • Contract supports critical R&D for national security.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area by agencies like DARPA is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and innovation.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the prime contractor is Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC. There is no explicit information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting in this data snippet.

Oversight & Accountability

DARPA is known for its rigorous oversight of research projects. The contract's duration and phased nature likely involve regular reviews and milestones to ensure progress and accountability.

Related Government Programs

  • Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Contract type (CPFF) carries inherent cost overrun risk.
  • Long duration may present challenges in adapting to evolving research needs.
  • Limited data on specific deliverables and outcomes.
  • No explicit mention of small business subcontracting.

Tags

research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ca, dca, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $49.8 million to TELEDYNE SCIENTIFIC & IMAGING, LLC. EXACTO PHASE I

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 (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $49.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-11-21. End: 2015-03-31.

What specific technological advancements were pursued under the EXACTO Phase I contract, and what was the ultimate outcome or impact on DoD capabilities?

The EXACTO program aimed to develop technologies for extremely precise projectile guidance. While Phase I focused on foundational research, subsequent phases would detail specific outcomes. Understanding the transition of this technology into operational systems is key to assessing its full value and effectiveness for the DoD.

Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, what were the mechanisms in place to mitigate cost risks and ensure the government received fair value?

CPFF contracts require robust government oversight to manage costs effectively. Mechanisms likely included detailed cost tracking, regular audits, and performance reviews to ensure the contractor operated efficiently within the agreed-upon fixed fee. The success of this contract type hinges on strong program management and clear performance metrics.

How did the full and open competition process ensure that Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC was the most capable and cost-effective provider for this R&D effort?

Full and open competition allows multiple qualified vendors to submit proposals, fostering a competitive environment. The evaluation process would have assessed technical merit, past performance, and price to determine the best value. This approach increases the likelihood of selecting a contractor that can deliver innovative solutions at a reasonable cost.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTDEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (UEI: 112358432)

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

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $49,819,114

Exercised Options: $49,819,114

Current Obligation: $49,819,114

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2008-11-21

Current End Date: 2015-03-31

Potential End Date: 2015-03-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2014-12-31

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