DoD's $28.3M GLIDE BREAKER contract with Aerojet Rocketdyne aims to counter hypersonic threats
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,354,707 ($28.4M)
Contractor: Aerojet Rocketdyne Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-02-10
End Date: 2023-10-31
Contract Duration: 1,359 days
Daily Burn Rate: $20.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: GLIDE BREAKER, GLIDE BREAKER WILL DEVELOP AN ENABLING TECHNOLOGY CRITICAL FOR AN ADVANCED INTERCEPTOR CAPABLE OF DEFEATING HYPERSONIC VEHICLES.
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $28.4 million to AEROJET ROCKETDYNE INC for work described as: GLIDE BREAKER, GLIDE BREAKER WILL DEVELOP AN ENABLING TECHNOLOGY CRITICAL FOR AN ADVANCED INTERCEPTOR CAPABLE OF DEFEATING HYPERSONIC VEHICLES. Key points: 1. Focuses on developing critical enabling technology for advanced interceptors. 2. Aerojet Rocketdyne Inc. is the sole contractor. 3. Potential for significant national security impact in countering hypersonic vehicles. 4. Contract falls under R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure is typical for R&D projects where final costs are uncertain. The total award of $28.3M over nearly 4 years suggests a substantial investment in a complex technological endeavor.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and innovation.
Taxpayer Impact: Investment in advanced defense technology aims to enhance national security, potentially deterring adversaries and protecting U.S. interests, though direct cost savings for taxpayers are not immediately apparent.
Public Impact
Enhances U.S. missile defense capabilities against emerging hypersonic threats. Supports technological advancement in the aerospace and defense sector. Contributes to national security by developing next-generation interceptor technology.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Technology development risk
- Long development timeline
- Cost overruns potential
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical national security need
- Potential for technological breakthrough
- Experienced contractor
Sector Analysis
This contract is in the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining a technological edge in defense capabilities.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Aerojet Rocketdyne Inc., a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific contract award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), known for its rigorous oversight of cutting-edge research and development projects. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure requires careful monitoring of expenditures.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Technological feasibility risk
- Potential for schedule delays
- Cost overrun potential
- Dependence on a single contractor
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, al, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $28.4 million to AEROJET ROCKETDYNE INC. GLIDE BREAKER, GLIDE BREAKER WILL DEVELOP AN ENABLING TECHNOLOGY CRITICAL FOR AN ADVANCED INTERCEPTOR CAPABLE OF DEFEATING HYPERSONIC VEHICLES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AEROJET ROCKETDYNE 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 $28.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-02-10. End: 2023-10-31.
What is the projected timeline for achieving key technological milestones for the GLIDE BREAKER program?
The contract period of performance is from February 10, 2020, to October 31, 2023, spanning approximately 45 months. Specific milestone timelines would be detailed within the contract's statement of work and are subject to DARPA's oversight and potential adjustments based on research progress.
How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure mitigate risks associated with developing novel hypersonic interceptor technology?
The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) structure allows the contractor to recover allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. This incentivizes efficiency while providing flexibility for unforeseen technical challenges inherent in R&D. DARPA's oversight is crucial to manage costs and ensure the fixed fee remains appropriate for the effort.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used by DARPA to measure the effectiveness of the GLIDE BREAKER technology development?
Effectiveness is likely measured against specific technical performance parameters outlined in the contract, such as the successful demonstration of enabling technologies, integration capabilities with advanced interceptors, and performance against simulated hypersonic threats. DARPA would track progress against these defined metrics.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: HR001119S0008
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: L3harris Technologies, Inc
Address: 950 EXPLORER BLVD NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
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: $28,939,174
Exercised Options: $28,564,171
Current Obligation: $28,354,707
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 32
Total Subaward Amount: $4,350,471
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-02-10
Current End Date: 2023-10-31
Potential End Date: 2023-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-22
More Contracts from Aerojet Rocketdyne Inc
- Exploration Upper Stage Engines Msfc Will Procure TEN (10) RL10 Flight Engines From Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc. to Support the Space Launch System (SLS) Exploration Missions 2 and 3 (EM-2 and EM-3). Each Flight Will Require a Four (4) Engine Cluster. Additionally, TWO (2) Spare Engines Will BE Procured. Corresponding to These Specific RL10 Engines, Nasa Msfc Will Procure Vehicle and Program Integration Support, Flight Support, and Human Rating Compliance Review Support — $285.1M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Nasa, Through the Space Technology Mission Directorate (stmd,) Seeks to Demonstrate an Advanced Solar Electric Propulsion (EP) System That Will Enable Future Deep Space Human and Robotic Exploration Applicable to the United States Private and Public Sector Space Needs. the Purpose of the Advanced Electric Propulsion (EP) System (aeps) Contract IS the Development and Delivery of EP String Sets to Support an Advanced SEP Demonstration Mission. During the Contract Base Period of Performance, the Contractor Will Develop, Test, and Deliver Engineering Development END Items That Will Reduce the Risk of Developing the Flight END Items. During the Option Period of Performance, IF Exercised, the Contractor Will Develop, Verify, and Deliver the Flight END Items — $230.2M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Technical Effort - Analysis and Design Engine Assembly (adea) - Hydrocarbon Boost to Provide High Operability and Flight Reliability AS Related to Reusable Liquid Rocket Engine (LRE) — $175.9M (Department of Defense)
- Stinger Flight Motors Increase — $53.6M (Department of Defense)
- Research and Development (R&D) - Stage 2 Large Class Tech Demo — $51.4M (Department of Defense)
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)