DoD's $32.8M BLADE program aims to counter adaptive EW threats, with Lockheed Martin as prime
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $32,854,502 ($32.9M)
Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2011-01-07
End Date: 2018-03-30
Contract Duration: 2,639 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 13
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: BEHAVIORAL LEARNING FOR ADAPTIVE ELECTRONIC WARFARE (BLADE), A PROGRAM TO DEVELOP THE CAPABILITY TO COUNTER ADAPTIVE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION THREATS IN TACTICAL ENVIRONMENTS AND IN TACTICALLY RELEVANT TIME SCALES.
Place of Performance
Location: CHERRY HILL, CAMDEN County, NEW JERSEY, 08002
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $32.9 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION for work described as: BEHAVIORAL LEARNING FOR ADAPTIVE ELECTRONIC WARFARE (BLADE), A PROGRAM TO DEVELOP THE CAPABILITY TO COUNTER ADAPTIVE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION THREATS IN TACTICAL ENVIRONMENTS AND IN TACTICALLY RELEVANT TIME SCALES. Key points: 1. Program focuses on advanced electronic warfare capabilities for tactical environments. 2. Lockheed Martin is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is the sector. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type for R&D can be less price-efficient than fixed-price contracts, especially if scope is not well-defined. Benchmarking per-unit cost is not applicable for this type of research program.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process. However, the single award to Lockheed Martin warrants further examination of the bidding and selection process to ensure optimal price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting advanced defense research. The effectiveness and efficiency of this spending will determine the ultimate value for taxpayers.
Public Impact
Enhances national security by developing advanced defense technologies. Supports innovation in the critical field of electronic warfare. Potential for technological advancements to be spun off into commercial applications.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Single awardee for a significant R&D program
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical defense need
- Focuses on adaptive threat countermeasures
Sector Analysis
This program falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Defense R&D spending is a significant portion of the federal budget, with a focus on maintaining technological superiority.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses. Large prime contractors like Lockheed Martin often subcontract, potentially providing opportunities for small businesses, but this is not explicitly detailed.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is provided by the Department of Defense, specifically DARPA. The contract type and duration suggest ongoing monitoring is necessary to ensure program objectives are met efficiently.
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
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF contract type.
- Lack of explicit small business participation.
- Dependence on a single prime contractor for critical R&D.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to changing technological landscapes.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, nj, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $32.9 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION. BEHAVIORAL LEARNING FOR ADAPTIVE ELECTRONIC WARFARE (BLADE), A PROGRAM TO DEVELOP THE CAPABILITY TO COUNTER ADAPTIVE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION THREATS IN TACTICAL ENVIRONMENTS AND IN TACTICALLY RELEVANT TIME SCALES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION.
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 $32.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-01-07. End: 2018-03-30.
What is the projected return on investment for this R&D program, considering the potential for technological advancements and their application?
Quantifying the ROI for R&D is inherently challenging due to the speculative nature of innovation. However, the program's focus on countering adaptive wireless communication threats suggests a high strategic value. Success could lead to significant cost savings in future conflict scenarios and maintain a technological edge, justifying the investment.
What specific risks are associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract structure in this context, and how are they being mitigated?
The primary risk with CPFF is the potential for cost overruns if the contractor's costs exceed estimates, as the government typically bears the majority of the cost. Mitigation strategies include robust government oversight, detailed cost tracking, and performance incentives tied to achieving milestones within projected budgets.
How will the effectiveness of the developed adaptive electronic warfare capabilities be measured and validated in tactically relevant scenarios?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through rigorous testing and simulation in environments that mimic real-world tactical scenarios. This includes evaluating the system's ability to detect, analyze, and counter adaptive wireless threats in real-time, with performance metrics focused on success rates, speed of response, and adaptability to novel threats.
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: 13
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp (UEI: 834951691)
Address: 3 EXECUTIVE CAMPUS, CHERRY HILL, NJ, 08002
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $35,414,107
Exercised Options: $32,854,502
Current Obligation: $32,854,502
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $49,638
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-01-07
Current End Date: 2018-03-30
Potential End Date: 2018-03-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-01-30
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