DARPA's Northrop Grumman contract for advanced nitride transistors reaches $17.7M, focusing on high-speed, high-voltage operation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,716,442 ($17.7M)
Contractor: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-09-14
End Date: 2014-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,659 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ON THE DARPA NEXT PROGRAM, THE NORTHROP GRUMMAN AEROSPACE SYSTEMS (NGAS) TEAM SHALL DEVELOP DEVICE AND INTEGRATION TECHNOLOGIES NECESSARY TO REALIZE ENHANCEMENT AND DEPLETION MODE NITRIDE TRANSISTORS THAT SIMULTANEOUSLY PROVIDE EXTREMELY HIGH-SPEED AND HIGH-VOLTAGE OPERATION IN A PROCESS CONSISTENT WITH LARGE SCALE INTEGRATION IN CIRCUITS OF 1000 OR MORE TRANSISTORS. ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THIS GOAL SHALL BE VALIDATED THROUGH THE DEMONSTRATION OF SPECIFIC PROGRAM PROCESS CONTROL MONITOR (PCM) TEST CIRCUITS.
Place of Performance
Location: REDONDO BEACH, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90278
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $17.7 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: ON THE DARPA NEXT PROGRAM, THE NORTHROP GRUMMAN AEROSPACE SYSTEMS (NGAS) TEAM SHALL DEVELOP DEVICE AND INTEGRATION TECHNOLOGIES NECESSARY TO REALIZE ENHANCEMENT AND DEPLETION MODE NITRIDE TRANSISTORS THAT SIMULTANEOUSLY PROVIDE EXTREMELY HIGH-SPEED AND HIGH-VOLTAGE OPERATION IN A… Key points: 1. This contract focuses on cutting-edge semiconductor technology for advanced defense applications. 2. Northrop Grumman is a major defense contractor, indicating significant industry experience. 3. The research aims to overcome limitations in current transistor technology for defense systems. 4. The sector is R&D, specifically advanced physical and engineering sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $17.7M for R&D in advanced semiconductor technology appears reasonable given the complexity and novelty of developing high-speed, high-voltage nitride transistors. Benchmarking against similar advanced materials research 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 a competitive bidding process that likely led to a fair price discovery. This method ensures the government explores various solutions and obtains the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The investment supports technological advancement in defense, potentially leading to enhanced national security capabilities, which is a significant taxpayer benefit.
Public Impact
Advancement in semiconductor technology could lead to more powerful and efficient defense systems. Research in nitride transistors may have spillover effects into commercial electronics, improving performance. This investment supports U.S. technological leadership in critical defense-related R&D.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long R&D timelines can introduce uncertainty in achieving desired technological outcomes.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical technology development.
Positive Signals
- Focus on a critical emerging technology area.
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Potential for significant technological breakthroughs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced physical and engineering sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority in defense, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific technological frontier being explored.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific involvement or subcontracting with small businesses for this particular contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were engaged in the supply chain or as partners.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), which provides contract administration services to ensure compliance and performance. Oversight is critical for R&D contracts to track progress and manage evolving technical requirements.
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
- Long contract duration (1659 days) increases exposure to technological obsolescence or shifts in requirements.
- Complexity of developing novel semiconductor technology carries inherent R&D risks.
- Potential for cost overruns in advanced research projects.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical component development.
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 $17.7 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. ON THE DARPA NEXT PROGRAM, THE NORTHROP GRUMMAN AEROSPACE SYSTEMS (NGAS) TEAM SHALL DEVELOP DEVICE AND INTEGRATION TECHNOLOGIES NECESSARY TO REALIZE ENHANCEMENT AND DEPLETION MODE NITRIDE TRANSISTORS THAT SIMULTANEOUSLY PROVIDE EXTREMELY HIGH-SPEED AND HIGH-VOLTAGE OPERATION IN A PROCESS CONSISTENT WITH LARGE SCALE INTEGRATION IN CIRCUITS OF 1000 OR MORE TRANSISTORS. ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THIS GOAL SHALL BE VALIDATED THROUGH THE DEMONSTRATION OF SPECIFIC PROGRAM PROCESS CONTROL MONITOR (PCM) TEST CI
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-09-14. End: 2014-03-31.
What is the projected timeline for achieving the key milestones in developing enhancement and depletion mode nitride transistors?
The contract's period of performance was from September 14, 2009, to March 31, 2014, spanning approximately 1659 days. While the end date has passed, the specific achievement of milestones within this timeframe would require reviewing program reports and deliverables to assess if the intended technological advancements were realized.
How does the cost of developing these advanced transistors compare to similar R&D efforts in the semiconductor industry?
Benchmarking the $17.7M cost requires comparing it to other government or private sector R&D contracts for novel semiconductor materials and fabrication processes. Given the specialized nature of nitride transistors and the goal of large-scale integration, this cost is likely within the expected range for cutting-edge research, but specific comparative data is needed for a definitive assessment.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on Northrop Grumman for this critical technology development?
Risks include potential delays in development, cost overruns if unforeseen technical challenges arise, and the possibility that the technology may not mature as expected. However, Northrop Grumman's extensive experience in aerospace and defense systems mitigates some of these risks, and the full and open competition process aimed to ensure a competitive price.
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: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation
Address: 1 SPACE PARK BLVD, REDONDO BEACH, CA, 90278
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,195,232
Exercised Options: $17,716,442
Current Obligation: $17,716,442
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-09-14
Current End Date: 2014-03-31
Potential End Date: 2014-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-09-29
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