DARPA's $19.3M THz Electronics Program Aims for High-Frequency Circuits, Teledyne Awarded Contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,272,617 ($19.3M)
Contractor: Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-05-01
End Date: 2016-07-31
Contract Duration: 2,648 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE OBJECTIVE OF THE THZ ELECTRONICS PROGRAM WILL BE TO DEVELOP THE CRITICAL DEVICE AND INTEGRATION TECHNOLOGIES NECESSARY TO REALIZE COMPACT, HIGH-PERFORMANCE ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS THAT OPERATE AT CENTER FREQUENCIES EXCEEDING 1.0 THZ. ON THE DARPA TERAHERTZ (THZ) ELECTRONICS PROGRAM, TELEDYNE WILL DEVELOP TERAHERTZ ELECTRONICS FOR TRANSCEIVER ARRAYS; SPECIFICALLY, RECEIVERS AND EXCITERS AT CARRIER FREQUENCIES OF 670 GHZ, 850 GHZ, AND 1030 GHZ.
Place of Performance
Location: THOUSAND OAKS, VENTURA County, CALIFORNIA, 91360
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $19.3 million to TELEDYNE SCIENTIFIC & IMAGING, LLC for work described as: THE OBJECTIVE OF THE THZ ELECTRONICS PROGRAM WILL BE TO DEVELOP THE CRITICAL DEVICE AND INTEGRATION TECHNOLOGIES NECESSARY TO REALIZE COMPACT, HIGH-PERFORMANCE ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS THAT OPERATE AT CENTER FREQUENCIES EXCEEDING 1.0 THZ. ON THE DARPA TERAHERTZ (THZ) ELECTRONICS PROGR… Key points: 1. Focuses on developing advanced electronics for terahertz frequencies, crucial for next-generation sensing and communication. 2. Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC, a key player in advanced electronics, is the sole awardee. 3. The program addresses technological risks in high-frequency circuit development. 4. Spending is concentrated in the Research and Development sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The total award amount is significant for a research and development program.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was awarded via sole-source justification, limiting competition. This approach may not guarantee the most competitive pricing or explore all available technological solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed towards a specific, high-risk R&D initiative with potential for significant technological advancement but uncertain immediate returns.
Public Impact
Advancement in terahertz technology could lead to breakthroughs in areas like advanced imaging, secure communications, and scientific instrumentation. The program's success could position the US at the forefront of high-frequency electronics research. Potential for dual-use applications, benefiting both defense and civilian sectors. Long-term development timeline suggests significant investment before tangible public benefits are realized.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
- Cost-plus contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
- Long project duration (2009-2016) may indicate complexity and potential for delays.
Positive Signals
- Focus on cutting-edge terahertz technology.
- Potential for significant technological leap.
- DARPA's involvement suggests high strategic importance.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is critical for innovation but often involves high risk and long development cycles, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific technological area.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC, a large business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
DARPA's rigorous oversight is expected for such a high-risk, high-reward program. The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates close monitoring of costs and progress to ensure accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award potentially limits innovation and cost-effectiveness.
- Cost-plus contract type increases risk of budget overruns.
- High technical risk inherent in developing novel THz electronics.
- Long project duration may indicate unforeseen challenges.
- Lack of small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ca, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $19.3 million to TELEDYNE SCIENTIFIC & IMAGING, LLC. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE THZ ELECTRONICS PROGRAM WILL BE TO DEVELOP THE CRITICAL DEVICE AND INTEGRATION TECHNOLOGIES NECESSARY TO REALIZE COMPACT, HIGH-PERFORMANCE ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS THAT OPERATE AT CENTER FREQUENCIES EXCEEDING 1.0 THZ. ON THE DARPA TERAHERTZ (THZ) ELECTRONICS PROGRAM, TELEDYNE WILL DEVELOP TERAHERTZ ELECTRONICS FOR TRANSCEIVER ARRAYS; SPECIFICALLY, RECEIVERS AND EXCITERS AT CARRIER FREQUENCIES OF 670 GHZ, 850 GHZ, AND 1030 GHZ.
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 Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $19.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-05-01. End: 2016-07-31.
What is the specific technological advantage gained by operating at THz frequencies compared to existing lower frequencies?
Operating at terahertz (THz) frequencies, above 1.0 THz, offers significantly higher bandwidth and resolution compared to current microwave or millimeter-wave technologies. This enables unprecedented capabilities in areas like high-speed data transmission, advanced sensing for security and medical imaging, and detailed spectral analysis for scientific research. The compact nature of THz circuits is also a key advantage for integration into smaller, more portable systems.
What are the primary technical risks associated with developing electronics that operate reliably at THz frequencies?
Key technical risks include material science limitations for components that can withstand and efficiently operate at THz frequencies, signal propagation challenges due to atmospheric absorption and component losses, and the difficulty in fabricating and integrating complex circuits at these extremely high frequencies. Achieving sufficient power output and receiver sensitivity while maintaining compact form factors also presents significant engineering hurdles.
How will the success of this program be measured in terms of tangible outcomes or effectiveness for national security or scientific advancement?
Success will likely be measured by the successful demonstration of functional transceiver arrays operating at the specified THz frequencies (670 GHz, 850 GHz, 1030 GHz) with performance metrics meeting or exceeding program goals. Tangible outcomes could include prototypes for advanced radar, communication systems, or sensing platforms. Effectiveness will be judged by the program's contribution to DARPA's strategic objectives and its potential to enable future technological capabilities.
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 › DEFENSE (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
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $19,272,617
Exercised Options: $19,272,617
Current Obligation: $19,272,617
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-05-01
Current End Date: 2016-07-31
Potential End Date: 2016-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-07-06
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