DoD's $17.3M JAWS contract to Raytheon for warfighting software shows R&D focus

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,375,146 ($17.4M)

Contractor: Raytheon Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-01-15

End Date: 2023-10-15

Contract Duration: 1,003 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 12

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: JOINT ALL-DOMAIN WARFIGHTING SOFTWARE (JAWS)SEEK TO DEVELOP A SOFTWARE SUITE TO MAXIMIZE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MILITARY FORCE THROUGH THEATER SCALE BATTLE MANAGEMENT COMMAND AND CONTROL WITH AUTOMATION AND PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS.

Place of Performance

Location: TEWKSBURY, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01876

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.4 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY for work described as: JOINT ALL-DOMAIN WARFIGHTING SOFTWARE (JAWS)SEEK TO DEVELOP A SOFTWARE SUITE TO MAXIMIZE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MILITARY FORCE THROUGH THEATER SCALE BATTLE MANAGEMENT COMMAND AND CONTROL WITH AUTOMATION AND PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS. Key points: 1. Contract aims to enhance military effectiveness through advanced battle management and predictive analytics. 2. Focus on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences, excluding nano/biotech. 3. Utilizes a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure, common in complex R&D. 4. Awarded via full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified contractors. 5. The contract duration of 1003 days suggests a substantial, multi-year development effort. 6. Raytheon Company, a major defense contractor, is the awardee. 7. The contract is categorized under R&D for physical, engineering, and life sciences.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of approximately $17.3 million for a complex software suite aligns with typical R&D investments in advanced defense technologies. While specific benchmarks for 'Joint All-Domain Warfighting Software' are difficult to ascertain due to its novel nature, the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) allows for flexibility in R&D while providing a defined profit margin. The number of bidders (10) suggests a competitive process that likely influenced the final negotiated price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The solicitation attracted 10 bids, indicating a healthy level of interest and a competitive environment for this advanced technology development. The open competition suggests that the agency sought the best possible solution and price from a wide range of potential providers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the most innovative and cost-effective solution for a critical defense capability.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. military forces, who will gain enhanced capabilities in theater-scale battle management and command and control. The software suite aims to improve military decision-making through automation and predictive analytics. The geographic impact is national, supporting the Department of Defense's strategic objectives. Workforce implications include specialized roles for software developers, AI/ML engineers, and systems integrators within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The complexity of developing advanced warfighting software presents inherent technical risks.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical system could pose long-term dependency risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential for innovation and value.
The contract is with a reputable defense contractor with a track record in complex systems.
The focus on R&D aligns with the agency's mission to develop cutting-edge technologies.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically focusing on advanced research and development for software solutions. The market for defense software, particularly in areas like command and control, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, is substantial and highly competitive. Spending in this area is driven by the need for technological superiority and interoperability across different military branches and domains. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale R&D contracts for complex systems integration and software development within the DoD.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. Furthermore, the 'ss' (small business subcontracting) field is also false. This suggests that the primary award was made to a large defense contractor, and there is no explicit requirement for subcontracting to small businesses mandated within this specific contract award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore indirect, relying on the prime contractor's own procurement practices.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program managers and contracting officers. Accountability measures are embedded within the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, requiring detailed reporting and justification of costs. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting systems, though specific technical details of advanced R&D may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Advanced Battle Management Systems
Command and Control Systems
Artificial Intelligence in Defense
Software Development Contracts
Department of Defense Research and Development

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
Technical feasibility and performance risks in advanced software development.
Long-term sustainment and upgradeability of the developed software.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.4 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY. JOINT ALL-DOMAIN WARFIGHTING SOFTWARE (JAWS)SEEK TO DEVELOP A SOFTWARE SUITE TO MAXIMIZE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MILITARY FORCE THROUGH THEATER SCALE BATTLE MANAGEMENT COMMAND AND CONTROL WITH AUTOMATION AND PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RAYTHEON COMPANY.

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 $17.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-01-15. End: 2023-10-15.

What is the specific technical objective of the Joint All-Domain Warfighting Software (JAWS)?

The Joint All-Domain Warfighting Software (JAWS) aims to develop a software suite designed to maximize the effectiveness of military force. This is to be achieved through theater-scale battle management command and control, incorporating advanced automation and predictive analytics. The ultimate goal is to enable more informed and rapid decision-making in complex, multi-domain operational environments, enhancing overall military capability and responsiveness.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure impact this R&D contract?

The CPFF structure is commonly used for research and development contracts where the scope or costs are not precisely definable at the outset. It allows the contractor to recover all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure provides flexibility for the evolving nature of R&D but requires robust oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and that the contractor is incentivized to manage expenses effectively. For taxpayers, it means costs can fluctuate, but the profit margin is capped.

What are the potential risks associated with developing advanced warfighting software?

Developing advanced warfighting software like JAWS carries several risks. Technical risks include the complexity of integrating disparate systems, achieving desired levels of automation and predictive accuracy, and ensuring cybersecurity. Schedule risks can arise from unforeseen technical challenges or changes in requirements. Cost risks are inherent in R&D, especially with CPFF contracts, where actual costs may exceed initial estimates. Furthermore, operational risks involve ensuring the software performs reliably and effectively in real-world combat scenarios, which is difficult to fully simulate during development.

What is the significance of 'full and open competition' for this contract?

The 'full and open competition' designation signifies that the Department of Defense actively sought proposals from all responsible sources without restrictions. This approach is intended to foster innovation by allowing a wide range of companies, including those potentially new to the agency, to compete. It also aims to ensure the government receives the best value by leveraging market competition to drive down prices and improve solution quality. The fact that 10 bids were received indicates a robust competitive landscape for this type of advanced technology.

How does this contract fit into the broader landscape of defense modernization efforts?

This contract is a component of the broader defense modernization efforts focused on achieving Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2). JADC2 aims to connect sensors, platforms, and decision-makers across all military services and domains (air, land, sea, space, cyber) to enable faster, more informed operations. The JAWS software suite directly supports this by developing the command and control capabilities, automation, and predictive analytics necessary for effective multi-domain warfare, representing a significant investment in the future operational concepts of the U.S. military.

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 › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Solicitation ID: HR001120S0022

Offers Received: 12

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Rockwell Collins Australia PTY Limited

Address: 50 APPLE HILL DR, TEWKSBURY, MA, 01876

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: $18,187,704

Exercised Options: $17,441,697

Current Obligation: $17,375,146

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 8

Total Subaward Amount: $7,141,674

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline