DoD Awards Leidos $105M for Unmanned Anti-Submarine Warfare Vessel Development

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $104,893,181 ($104.9M)

Contractor: Leidos, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2012-08-14

End Date: 2020-06-30

Contract Duration: 2,877 days

Daily Burn Rate: $36.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR WILL PERFORM PHASES 2-4 OF THE ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE (ASW) CONTINUOUS TRAIL UNMANNED VESSEL (ACTUV) PROGRAM. THE CONTRACTOR WILL DESIGN, CONSTRUCT, AND DEMONSTRATE A PROTOTYPE ACTUV VESSEL. THIS CONTRACT FOLLOWS WORK PERFORMED IN PHASE 1 UNDER DARPA CONTRACT NUMBER HR0011-10-C-0184.

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $104.9 million to LEIDOS, INC. for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR WILL PERFORM PHASES 2-4 OF THE ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE (ASW) CONTINUOUS TRAIL UNMANNED VESSEL (ACTUV) PROGRAM. THE CONTRACTOR WILL DESIGN, CONSTRUCT, AND DEMONSTRATE A PROTOTYPE ACTUV VESSEL. THIS CONTRACT FOLLOWS WORK PERFORMED IN PHASE 1 UNDER DARPA CONTRACT NUMBE… Key points: 1. This contract focuses on advanced R&D for a critical defense capability. 2. Leidos, a large defense contractor, secured this award. 3. The contract follows prior work, suggesting program continuity. 4. Potential risks include technological development and program execution.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $105M for a multi-year R&D program appears reasonable given the complexity of developing a prototype unmanned vessel. Benchmarking against similar advanced naval technology development contracts would provide further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The investment aims to enhance national security capabilities, with potential long-term cost savings through advanced technology.

Public Impact

Enhances U.S. anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Supports technological innovation in unmanned maritime systems. Represents significant federal investment in advanced defense research. Could lead to future operational deployments of the ACTUV vessel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Technological complexity and development risks.
  • Long program duration with potential for cost overruns.
  • Dependence on a single large contractor for critical R&D.

Positive Signals

  • Follow-on work from Phase 1 indicates successful prior performance.
  • Awarded under full and open competition.
  • Focus on a high-priority defense capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically for physical and engineering sciences. Defense R&D spending is a significant portion of the federal budget, with substantial investments in advanced technologies like unmanned systems.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as Leidos, Inc. is a large prime contractor. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist but are not detailed in this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of the Navy, a component of the Department of Defense. Oversight would involve program managers ensuring milestones are met and funds are used appropriately.

Related Government Programs

  • Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

  • Technological feasibility and integration challenges.
  • Potential for schedule delays and cost overruns in R&D.
  • Long-term operational effectiveness and maintenance costs.
  • Cybersecurity risks associated with autonomous systems.
  • Dependence on specific technological advancements.

Tags

research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $104.9 million to LEIDOS, INC.. THE CONTRACTOR WILL PERFORM PHASES 2-4 OF THE ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE (ASW) CONTINUOUS TRAIL UNMANNED VESSEL (ACTUV) PROGRAM. THE CONTRACTOR WILL DESIGN, CONSTRUCT, AND DEMONSTRATE A PROTOTYPE ACTUV VESSEL. THIS CONTRACT FOLLOWS WORK PERFORMED IN PHASE 1 UNDER DARPA CONTRACT NUMBER HR0011-10-C-0184.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LEIDOS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $104.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-08-14. End: 2020-06-30.

What are the key performance metrics for the ACTUV prototype and how will success be measured?

Success will be measured against specific performance metrics outlined in the contract, likely including endurance, speed, maneuverability, sensor integration, and autonomous operation capabilities. These metrics are crucial for demonstrating the prototype's viability for future ASW missions and validating the technological advancements achieved during Phases 2-4.

What are the primary technological risks associated with developing the ACTUV prototype?

Primary risks include the integration of advanced sensor suites for target detection and tracking, ensuring reliable autonomous navigation and decision-making in complex maritime environments, and achieving the required endurance and survivability for the unmanned vessel. Overcoming these challenges is critical for the program's success.

How does the ACTUV program align with broader DoD strategies for naval modernization and unmanned systems?

The ACTUV program directly aligns with the DoD's strategic push towards modernizing naval forces through the increased use of unmanned systems. It supports the development of persistent, long-endurance platforms that can augment manned capabilities, reduce risk to personnel, and expand operational reach in critical anti-submarine warfare missions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTDEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 611641312)

Address: 1710 SAIC DR, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $106,273,419

Exercised Options: $104,895,256

Current Obligation: $104,893,181

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 23

Total Subaward Amount: $9,481,667

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2012-08-14

Current End Date: 2020-06-30

Potential End Date: 2020-06-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2020-01-23

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