DoD Awards $31.7M for Vulcan Gas Turbine Tech R&D to GE
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $31,722,530 ($31.7M)
Contractor: General Electric Company
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2010-06-24
End Date: 2012-12-28
Contract Duration: 918 days
Daily Burn Rate: $34.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: VULCAN PHASE II, NEW CONTRACT AWARD FOR VULCAN PROGRAM, PHASE II TO EVALUATE THE DESIGN, PERFORMANCE, LIFE, AND DURABILITY OF THE CVC GAS TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES.
Place of Performance
Location: CINCINNATI, HAMILTON County, OHIO, 45215
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $31.7 million to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY for work described as: VULCAN PHASE II, NEW CONTRACT AWARD FOR VULCAN PROGRAM, PHASE II TO EVALUATE THE DESIGN, PERFORMANCE, LIFE, AND DURABILITY OF THE CVC GAS TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on evaluating gas turbine design, performance, and durability. 2. General Electric Company is the sole awardee. 3. Research and Development sector, specifically physical and engineering sciences. 4. Potential for significant advancements in turbine technology.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $31.7 million for a 2-year R&D effort appears reasonable given the scope of evaluating advanced turbine technologies. Benchmarking against similar complex R&D contracts is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns.
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. However, the awardee is General Electric, indicating they likely offered the most competitive technical and price proposal.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being invested in potentially groundbreaking turbine technology, which could lead to long-term efficiencies and cost savings if successful.
Public Impact
Advancements in gas turbine technology could lead to more efficient and durable engines for defense applications. Investment in R&D supports technological superiority for the Department of Defense. Potential for spin-off technologies benefiting commercial sectors. The research could impact future energy production and efficiency standards.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus fixed fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- R&D projects inherently carry a risk of not achieving desired outcomes.
- Sole awardee may limit immediate competitive pressure on future development phases.
Positive Signals
- Focus on critical technology development for national security.
- Award to a reputable company with extensive experience in turbine technology.
- Clear objectives for evaluating design, performance, and durability.
- Potential for significant technological breakthroughs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining technological advantage, with benchmarks varying widely based on project complexity and duration.
Small Business Impact
The awardee is General Electric Company, a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific contract award, which is common for highly specialized R&D efforts.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Defense, through DARPA, is responsible for overseeing this R&D contract. Accountability will be tied to the achievement of milestones related to design, performance, life, and durability evaluations.
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
- Cost-plus fixed fee contract type.
- R&D inherent uncertainty.
- Limited visibility into specific performance metrics achieved.
- Potential for technology obsolescence if development is slow.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, oh, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $31.7 million to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. VULCAN PHASE II, NEW CONTRACT AWARD FOR VULCAN PROGRAM, PHASE II TO EVALUATE THE DESIGN, PERFORMANCE, LIFE, AND DURABILITY OF THE CVC GAS TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY.
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 $31.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-06-24. End: 2012-12-28.
What is the projected long-term cost-benefit of these advanced gas turbine technologies if successfully developed?
The long-term cost-benefit hinges on the degree of efficiency gains and lifespan extension achieved. If the Vulcan Phase II technologies result in significantly lower fuel consumption and reduced maintenance requirements for military platforms, the return on the $31.7 million investment could be substantial over the operational life of the equipment, potentially saving billions in fuel and sustainment costs.
What are the primary technical risks associated with evaluating the CVC gas turbine technologies in Phase II?
Primary technical risks include unforeseen challenges in achieving the desired performance metrics, potential material limitations under extreme operating conditions, and difficulties in accurately simulating real-world operational stresses during testing. Ensuring the reliability and durability of novel components within the CVC design presents a significant hurdle that could impact the evaluation's success.
How effectively will the R&D outcomes translate into deployable defense capabilities?
The effectiveness of translation depends on the maturity of the CVC technology upon completion of Phase II and the DoD's subsequent commitment to further development and integration. DARPA's focus on evaluating fundamental aspects suggests a foundational research effort. Successful outcomes will require clear transition pathways and continued investment to bridge the gap from R&D to fielded systems.
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: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1 NEUMANN WAY, CINCINNATI, OH, 45215
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $31,722,530
Exercised Options: $31,722,530
Current Obligation: $31,722,530
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-06-24
Current End Date: 2012-12-28
Potential End Date: 2012-12-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-09-29
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