DoD's $22.7M Contract for Real-Time Exploit Membrane Optic Imager Awarded to BAE Systems
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,704,008 ($22.7M)
Contractor: BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2010-09-17
End Date: 2014-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,474 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MEMBRANE OPTIC IMAGER REAL TIME EXPLOIT.
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80301
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $22.7 million to BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC. for work described as: MEMBRANE OPTIC IMAGER REAL TIME EXPLOIT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to BAE Systems for advanced optic imager technology. 2. Research and Development sector, specifically physical and engineering sciences. 3. Full and open competition was utilized. 4. Potential for significant technological advancement in defense capabilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $22.7 million for a 4-year period suggests a moderate investment in R&D. Without specific performance metrics or comparable systems, assessing value is difficult. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility but requires careful oversight to manage costs.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and innovation, though the specific price discovery impact for this R&D contract is not detailed.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting advanced research and development, which could lead to future technological advantages for national security. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates diligent oversight to ensure efficient use of funds.
Public Impact
Enhances national security through advanced imaging technology. Supports innovation in the defense research sector. Potential for dual-use applications in scientific research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- Long duration for an R&D contract may indicate complexity or evolving requirements.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical defense research and development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific research area and project scope.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to BAE Systems, a large prime contractor. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses on this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract utilized a cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, which requires robust oversight from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to ensure costs are reasonable and the project stays within scope. The definitive contract nature suggests a defined scope of work.
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.
- Long contract duration.
- Lack of specific performance metrics.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, co, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $22.7 million to BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC.. MEMBRANE OPTIC IMAGER REAL TIME EXPLOIT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC..
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 $22.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-09-17. End: 2014-09-30.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this Membrane Optic Imager, and how will they be measured?
The specific technological advancements are not detailed in the provided data. However, as a 'Real Time Exploit' system, it likely aims to improve the speed and capability of image analysis and exploitation for intelligence or operational purposes. Success metrics would typically involve performance benchmarks related to processing speed, resolution, data output quality, and operational integration.
What are the primary risks associated with the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure for this R&D contract?
The primary risks with a CPFF structure in R&D are potential cost overruns if the contractor's actual costs exceed estimates, and the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts. For DARPA, the risk is ensuring the fixed fee remains appropriate for the effort and that rigorous oversight is in place to validate incurred costs and prevent inefficiencies.
How does this investment align with DARPA's broader strategic goals for advanced sensing and intelligence?
This investment likely aligns with DARPA's mission to prevent technological surprise and maintain U.S. military superiority. Advanced real-time imaging and exploitation capabilities are critical for modern intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. Such systems enable faster decision-making and response in dynamic environments, directly supporting strategic goals related to information dominance and operational effectiveness.
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: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Ball Corp (UEI: 006419147)
Address: 1600 COMMERCE ST, BOULDER, CO, 80301
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $43,039,278
Exercised Options: $22,704,008
Current Obligation: $22,704,008
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-09-17
Current End Date: 2014-09-30
Potential End Date: 2014-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-07-30
More Contracts from BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc.
- Weather System Follow-On - Microwave - System Design of Satellite With Microwave Radiometer and Sensor — $528.5M (Department of Defense)
- Engineering Services and Development Leading to the Delivery of the Omps Protoflight Model and Support — $479.0M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Jpss-1 Mission Spacecraft Rapid III Delivery Order #3. Rapid III Provides Core Spacecraft Systems in Support of the Scientific and Technology Development Goals of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, and Other Federal Agencies. the Scope of Work Includes Design, Build and Test, Payload Integration and Test, Launch Vehicle Integration and Support and On-Orbit Checkout and Acceptance — $365.7M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- THE Woma Requirement WAS Issued AS a Full and Open Competitive Procurement to Design, Analyze, Develop, Fabricate, Integrate, Test, and Evaluate the Wide Field Instrument (WFI) Opto-Mechanical Assembly (woma) for the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (wfirst) Mission. in Addition, IT Defines the Tasks Necessary to Support the Subsequent Integration, Test, Evaluation, and Validation of the WFI. IT Defines the Post-Delivery Support to Payload and Observatory Integration and Test, and to Pre-Launch, Launch and Commissioning Activities AT the Mission Operations Center (MOC) and to Supply and Maintain the Instrument Ground Support Equipment (GSE) — $307.9M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- National Aeronautical&space Administration (nasa) and the Goddard Space Flight Center (gsfc) HAS a Requirement for the Continuation of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI) Instrument. the GMI Instrument IS a 13 Channel Radiometer Whose Core Science Measures the Earth S Atmospheric Moisture Within 10.65 GHZ Through 183 GHZ of the Microwave Spectrum — $233.7M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
View all BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc. federal contracts →
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)