DoD Awards Northrop Grumman $41.8M for Manta Ray Autonomous Undersea Vehicles
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $41,774,161 ($41.8M)
Contractor: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-12-17
End Date: 2024-06-30
Contract Duration: 926 days
Daily Burn Rate: $45.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: MANTA RAY PHASE 2 - NEW CLASS OF LONG DURATION AUTONOMOUS UNDERSEA VEHICLES
Place of Performance
Location: LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 21090
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $41.8 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: MANTA RAY PHASE 2 - NEW CLASS OF LONG DURATION AUTONOMOUS UNDERSEA VEHICLES Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced autonomous undersea vehicle technology. 2. Northrop Grumman, a major defense contractor, secures the award. 3. Potential for enhanced undersea surveillance and operational capabilities. 4. R&D spending in a critical defense sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for flexibility in R&D but can lead to higher costs if not managed closely. The award amount of $41.8M for a 926-day duration suggests a substantial project.
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 is generally expected to yield fair pricing, though the specific price discovery mechanisms are not detailed.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being allocated to cutting-edge defense research, aiming for technological superiority. The long-term benefits of this investment in national security are expected to outweigh the immediate cost.
Public Impact
Enhances national security through advanced autonomous systems. Drives innovation in unmanned maritime capabilities. Supports the development of next-generation defense technologies.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost overruns due to R&D complexity
- Technological obsolescence
- Integration challenges with existing systems
Positive Signals
- Potential for significant technological leap
- Strengthens US undersea dominance
- Promotes innovation in AI and autonomy
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Defense R&D spending is a significant portion of the federal budget, with a focus on maintaining technological advantage.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, a large prime contractor. There is no explicit mention of small business participation in this award notice.
Oversight & Accountability
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is known for its rigorous oversight of high-risk, high-reward research projects. Contract performance will likely be monitored closely to ensure progress and accountability.
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
- Cost overruns
- Schedule delays
- Technological feasibility
- Integration complexity
- Limited operational testing data
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 $41.8 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. MANTA RAY PHASE 2 - NEW CLASS OF LONG DURATION AUTONOMOUS UNDERSEA VEHICLES
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 Advanced Research Projects Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $41.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-12-17. End: 2024-06-30.
What is the projected operational capability and strategic advantage gained from the Manta Ray program upon its completion?
The Manta Ray program aims to develop a new class of long-duration autonomous undersea vehicles, potentially offering unprecedented persistent surveillance and operational capabilities. This could provide a significant strategic advantage by enabling extended covert presence, intelligence gathering, and power projection in undersea domains without continuous human intervention, thereby reducing risk to personnel and increasing operational flexibility.
What are the primary technical risks associated with developing long-duration autonomous undersea vehicles, and how are they being mitigated?
Key technical risks include ensuring long-term power endurance, maintaining reliable autonomous navigation and control in complex undersea environments, and achieving effective payload integration for mission-specific tasks. Mitigation strategies likely involve advanced battery or energy harvesting technologies, sophisticated AI for decision-making and obstacle avoidance, and modular design principles to accommodate various sensor and weapon systems.
How will the success of the Manta Ray program be measured in terms of effectiveness and return on investment for the DoD?
Effectiveness will be measured by the vehicle's ability to meet performance specifications for duration, payload capacity, autonomy, and survivability in realistic operational scenarios. Return on investment will be assessed by the program's contribution to enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, potential cost savings compared to manned platforms, and its impact on maintaining a technological edge over potential adversaries.
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: HR001119S0040
Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation
Address: 1580B 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: $41,774,161
Exercised Options: $41,774,161
Current Obligation: $41,774,161
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $6,194,967
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-12-17
Current End Date: 2024-06-30
Potential End Date: 2024-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-08-07
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