DoD's $231M WISPER program awarded to CACI INC - FEDERAL for R&D in secure emitters and receivers

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,117,542 ($23.1M)

Contractor: CACI Inc - Federal

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-03-25

End Date: 2026-07-03

Contract Duration: 1,926 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: WIDEBAND SECURE AND PROTECTED EMITTER AND RECEIVER (WISPER) PROGRAM.

Place of Performance

Location: FLORHAM PARK, MORRIS County, NEW JERSEY, 07932

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $23.1 million to CACI INC - FEDERAL for work described as: WIDEBAND SECURE AND PROTECTED EMITTER AND RECEIVER (WISPER) PROGRAM. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on advanced research and development, indicating a long-term investment in technological innovation. 2. Awarded to a single large contractor, CACI INC - FEDERAL, this suggests a need for specialized expertise in a niche area. 3. The cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type carries inherent risk, as final costs can fluctuate based on development efforts. 4. The program's duration of over 1900 days highlights the complexity and extended timeline typical for cutting-edge R&D. 5. Geographically, the contract is tied to New Jersey, potentially indicating a concentration of relevant research facilities or talent. 6. The absence of small business set-asides suggests the scope of work may not be easily divisible or suitable for smaller firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this R&D contract is challenging due to its specialized nature and the lack of direct public comparisons. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure means the final cost is not predetermined, making direct price comparisons difficult. However, the significant award amount suggests a substantial investment in developing advanced technology, which could yield high returns if successful. The agency's investment of over $231 million indicates a strong perceived need for the capabilities this program aims to develop.

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. The presence of 8 bidders suggests a competitive landscape for this specialized R&D requirement. While the specific details of the competition are not provided, a healthy number of bidders generally supports price discovery and encourages contractors to offer competitive terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value through a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense, which will gain advanced secure communication capabilities. The services delivered involve research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences, specifically focusing on emitter and receiver technology. The geographic impact is centered in New Jersey, where the contractor is located and likely where much of the R&D will be performed. Workforce implications may include the employment of highly skilled scientists, engineers, and technicians within CACI INC - FEDERAL and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
The long duration of the contract increases the risk of technological obsolescence or shifting requirements.
Reliance on a single large contractor may limit future flexibility or innovation from other sources.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The significant investment indicates a high priority and potential strategic importance for the technology being developed.
The contractor, CACI INC - FEDERAL, is a well-established entity in the federal contracting space, suggesting a degree of reliability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for secure communication technologies is highly specialized and driven by government and defense needs. Spending in this area is often characterized by long development cycles, high R&D intensity, and significant investment in intellectual property. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of advanced R&D programs, but the scale of this award suggests it is a significant initiative within DARPA's portfolio.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. The nature of advanced R&D, particularly in specialized areas like secure communication systems, often requires the resources and expertise of larger, established firms. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity for engaging the small business ecosystem in supporting roles.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Defense, specifically the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). DARPA is known for its rigorous oversight of R&D programs. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's milestones and deliverables. Transparency may be limited due to the sensitive nature of the technology being developed, but regular reporting and reviews are standard. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

DARPA Research and Development Programs
Secure Communications Technology
Advanced Electronic Systems
Department of Defense Research Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF Contract Type)
Technological Obsolescence Risk (Long Duration)
Dependency on Single Contractor
Uncertainty of R&D Outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $23.1 million to CACI INC - FEDERAL. WIDEBAND SECURE AND PROTECTED EMITTER AND RECEIVER (WISPER) PROGRAM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CACI INC - FEDERAL.

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 $23.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-03-25. End: 2026-07-03.

What is the specific technological objective of the WISPER program?

The Wideband Secure and Protected Emitter and Receiver (WISPER) program, managed by DARPA, aims to develop advanced technologies for secure and protected communication systems. While specific technical details are often classified or proprietary, the program's focus on emitters and receivers suggests an effort to enhance the security, resilience, and performance of radio frequency (RF) communication links. This could involve advancements in areas such as anti-jamming, low probability of intercept/detection, secure waveform design, or novel antenna technologies. The goal is to ensure reliable and covert communication in challenging electromagnetic environments, critical for national security operations.

How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type compare to other R&D contract structures in terms of risk and value?

The Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract type is common for R&D where the scope of work is not fully defined at the outset, making it difficult to establish a firm fixed price. Under CPFF, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. This structure shifts some cost risk to the government, as final costs can exceed initial estimates. However, it allows for flexibility in exploring innovative solutions. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF offers less price certainty for the government but greater adaptability for the contractor. For R&D, it balances the need for exploration with contractor incentive, though rigorous cost oversight is crucial to manage potential overruns and ensure value.

What is CACI INC - FEDERAL's track record with similar large-scale R&D contracts for the Department of Defense?

CACI INC - FEDERAL is a significant federal contractor with a substantial history of performing IT, systems engineering, and R&D services for the Department of Defense and other government agencies. They have a proven track record in complex technology development and integration. While specific details on past WISPER-like programs are not publicly detailed, CACI's extensive experience in areas such as command and control, intelligence analysis, and advanced cyber solutions suggests they possess the technical capabilities and program management expertise required for large-scale R&D initiatives. Their consistent presence in major defense contracts indicates a capacity to handle programs of this magnitude and complexity.

What are the potential implications of the 1926-day contract duration on technological relevance?

A contract duration of 1926 days (approximately 5.3 years) for an R&D program like WISPER presents both opportunities and risks regarding technological relevance. The extended timeline allows for in-depth research, development, and testing of complex technologies, which is often necessary for groundbreaking innovations. However, the rapid pace of technological advancement, particularly in areas like secure communications, means that the technology developed at the beginning of the contract might be less cutting-edge by its completion. DARPA typically manages this risk through phased development, regular reviews, and adaptability clauses in contracts, allowing for adjustments based on emerging technologies and evolving requirements to ensure the final product remains relevant and effective.

How does the $231 million award amount compare to typical DARPA R&D investments in similar technology areas?

The $231 million award for the WISPER program is a substantial investment, consistent with DARPA's mission to fund high-risk, high-reward research that can lead to transformative technological capabilities. DARPA often awards large, multi-year contracts for programs that require significant scientific and engineering effort. While specific figures for comparable secure communications R&D programs are not readily available in the public domain due to classification and proprietary reasons, investments in the hundreds of millions of dollars are not uncommon for DARPA initiatives aiming to develop next-generation defense technologies. This level of funding suggests the WISPER program is considered strategically critical and requires extensive resources to achieve its ambitious goals.

What are the primary risks associated with the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' NAICS code for this contract?

The primary risks associated with the NAICS code 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) for this contract are inherent to the nature of R&D. These include technical risk (the technology may not be feasible or perform as expected), schedule risk (development may take longer than anticipated), cost risk (development costs may exceed budget, especially with CPFF contracts), and market/obsolescence risk (the developed technology may be superseded by newer advancements before deployment). For DARPA, the focus is often on pushing the boundaries of science, which inherently involves a higher degree of uncertainty and potential for failure compared to more applied or production-oriented contracts. Effective program management, phased approaches, and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.

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: HR001120S0030

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: CACI International Inc

Address: 15 VREELAND RD, FLORHAM PARK, NJ, 07932

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,990,845

Exercised Options: $23,117,542

Current Obligation: $23,117,542

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $123,720

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline