DARPA's SHIELD Program Awards Northrop Grumman $21.5M for Supply Chain Hardware Integrity
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,514,420 ($21.5M)
Contractor: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2015-01-13
End Date: 2019-10-31
Contract Duration: 1,752 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 20
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF DARPA RESEARCH PROJECT UNDER THE SUPPLY CHAIN HARDWARE INTEGRITY FOR ELECTRONICS DEFENSE (SHIELD) PROGRAM. THE SHIELD PROGRAM OBJECTIVE IS TO DEVELOP AN ADVANCED SUPPLY CHAIN HARDWARE AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM AND A CAPABILITY THAT CAN DETECT COUNTERFEIT ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS ANYWHERE IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN.
Place of Performance
Location: LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 21090
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $21.5 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF DARPA RESEARCH PROJECT UNDER THE SUPPLY CHAIN HARDWARE INTEGRITY FOR ELECTRONICS DEFENSE (SHIELD) PROGRAM. THE SHIELD PROGRAM OBJECTIVE IS TO DEVELOP AN ADVANCED SUPPLY CHAIN HARDWARE AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM AND A CAPABILITY THAT CAN DETECT COUNTERFEIT ELECTRONIC COMPO… Key points: 1. Focuses on detecting counterfeit electronic components within the defense supply chain. 2. Northrop Grumman, a major defense contractor, is the awardee. 3. The project aims to enhance hardware authentication and integrity. 4. This falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 5. The contract was awarded under full and open competition.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $21.5M for a 4-year R&D project appears reasonable given the complexity of supply chain security and the need for advanced authentication systems. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D efforts in defense electronics 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, suggesting a robust process for soliciting proposals and selecting the best value. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing and innovation.
Taxpayer Impact: The investment aims to protect taxpayer funds by ensuring the integrity of critical defense electronics, preventing costs associated with counterfeit components and potential system failures.
Public Impact
Enhances national security by safeguarding the defense supply chain from counterfeit parts. Supports technological advancement in hardware authentication and cybersecurity. Aims to reduce the risk of compromised electronic systems in critical defense applications. Promotes innovation in the defense industrial base for supply chain resilience.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in complex R&D projects.
- Long-term effectiveness of detection systems requires continuous updates.
- Dependency on a single contractor for critical technology development.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical national security vulnerability.
- Utilizes a competitive procurement process.
- Focuses on cutting-edge technological solutions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority in defense, with significant government investment directed towards innovation and advanced capabilities.
Small Business Impact
While the primary awardee is Northrop Grumman, a large corporation, the nature of R&D projects often involves subcontracting opportunities for specialized small businesses in areas like component testing, software development, or material science.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Defense, through its agencies like DARPA and DCMA, typically has robust oversight mechanisms for R&D contracts to ensure progress, manage costs, and verify deliverables. Regular reporting and milestone reviews are standard.
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
- Complexity of R&D projects can lead to schedule delays and cost overruns.
- The evolving nature of counterfeit technology requires continuous system adaptation.
- Potential for reliance on a single prime contractor for critical technology.
- Ensuring widespread adoption and integration across diverse defense systems.
- Measuring the true return on investment for advanced R&D.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, md, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $21.5 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF DARPA RESEARCH PROJECT UNDER THE SUPPLY CHAIN HARDWARE INTEGRITY FOR ELECTRONICS DEFENSE (SHIELD) PROGRAM. THE SHIELD PROGRAM OBJECTIVE IS TO DEVELOP AN ADVANCED SUPPLY CHAIN HARDWARE AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM AND A CAPABILITY THAT CAN DETECT COUNTERFEIT ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS ANYWHERE IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN.
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 $21.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-01-13. End: 2019-10-31.
What is the projected long-term cost savings from implementing the SHIELD program's authentication system?
The long-term cost savings are anticipated to be substantial, stemming from the reduced procurement of counterfeit components, avoidance of system failures due to faulty parts, and decreased costs associated with remediation and security breaches. Quantifying this requires detailed analysis of current counterfeit rates and their associated costs.
How will the effectiveness of the SHIELD system be measured against evolving counterfeit techniques?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through rigorous testing and validation protocols, including simulated attacks and real-world component analysis. The program will need to incorporate adaptive learning mechanisms and continuous updates to counter emerging counterfeit methods, with performance metrics tied to detection rates and false positive/negative rates.
What are the potential risks if the SHIELD program fails to detect sophisticated counterfeit components?
Failure to detect sophisticated counterfeit components poses significant risks to national security, potentially leading to compromised weapon systems, unreliable electronic devices, and vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. This could result in mission failures, loss of life, and erosion of trust in defense technology, necessitating costly and time-consuming replacements or redesigns.
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: 20
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation
Address: 1580A W NURSERY RD, LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, MD, 21090
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: $21,611,352
Exercised Options: $21,611,352
Current Obligation: $21,514,420
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-01-13
Current End Date: 2019-10-31
Potential End Date: 2019-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-09-17
More Contracts from Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
- 200506!000026!5700!fa8214!oo-Alc/Pkme/Lmke !F4261098C0001 !A!N! !Y! !p01502!20041213!20050701!001563738!004179453!016435559!n!northrop Grumman Space & Missi!888 S 2000 E !clearfield !ut!84015!13850!011!49!clearfield !davis !utah !-000001960000!n!n!000000000000!l014!tech REP Svcs/Guided Missiles !A2 !missile and Space Systems !302 !minuteman III GRP !541330!E! !3! ! !C! ! !20200930!B! ! !A! !a!n!l!2!002!b! !Z!Y!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! ! — $10.0B (Department of Defense)
- E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft (FRP-7) — $8.5B (Department of Defense)
- E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft (FRP-2) — $5.4B (Department of Defense)
- First DDT and E, Ares I-X, and Flight Tests. First Stage Will BE a Five Segment, Solid Rocket Booster Derived From the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) Solid Rocket Booster (srb)/Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (rsrm). the Contractor Shall Furnish the Necessary Management, Engineering, Labor, Facilities, Tools, Equipment, and Materials Required for First Stage Development, Qualification, Certification and Acceptance Program. Activities Include: Redesign and Testing of the Motor to Incorporate the Fifth Segment and Production of Five Full Scale Ground Static Test Motors: TWO Development Motors (dms)-And Three Qualification Motors (QMS); Structural Test Article (STA), Ground Vibration Test Motors (gvtms) and Other Development Testing; Redesign of the Avionics, Deceleration, Separation, and Flight Termination System (FTS) Subsystems; Ares I-X: Simulated Ares I Outer Mold Line/Mass Properties Using Modified Srb/Rsrm; and Three Flight Test Vehicles. TAS::80 0124::TAS — $4.4B (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Federal Contract — $4.4B (Department of Defense)
View all Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation 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)