DARPA Awards $18.4M Contract to RTX BBN for R&D in Physical Sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,429,548 ($18.4M)
Contractor: RTX BBN Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-06-20
End Date: 2026-06-27
Contract Duration: 1,103 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 17
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DARPA RESEARCH PROJECT
Place of Performance
Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02138
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $18.4 million to RTX BBN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: DARPA RESEARCH PROJECT Key points: 1. Contract value of $18.4M for R&D services. 2. RTX BBN Technologies, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. Competition method was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 4. The sector is Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific project details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders were considered. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced research and development, which can yield long-term benefits but requires careful oversight to ensure value for money.
Public Impact
Investment in cutting-edge research by DARPA. Potential for technological advancements with broad applications. Contract awarded to a significant defense contractor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may incentivize cost overruns.
- Lack of specific project details makes value assessment challenging.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Contract supports critical R&D for national security.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but can be subject to cost overruns due to the inherent uncertainties of research.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, RTX BBN Technologies, Inc., is a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific contract award.
Oversight & Accountability
DARPA is known for its rigorous oversight of research projects. However, the effectiveness of oversight for this specific contract will depend on detailed project milestones and performance metrics.
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 Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Limited public information on specific research objectives.
- Awardee is a large business, potentially limiting small business subcontracting opportunities.
- Contract duration is over three years, increasing exposure to potential cost changes.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ma, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $18.4 million to RTX BBN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. DARPA RESEARCH PROJECT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RTX BBN TECHNOLOGIES, 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 $18.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-06-20. End: 2026-06-27.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this $18.4M DARPA contract, and how will their success be measured?
The contract aims to advance research in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Specific advancements are not detailed in the provided data. Success measurement would typically involve defined research objectives, prototype development, and performance testing against established benchmarks, overseen by DARPA program managers to ensure alignment with project goals and taxpayer value.
Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, what are the primary risks to the government regarding cost control and potential overruns?
The primary risk with CPFF contracts is that the contractor may not have a strong incentive to control costs, as the government agrees to pay all allowable costs plus a fixed fee. This can lead to overruns if the initial cost estimates are inaccurate or if the project scope expands without adequate re-evaluation. Robust government oversight and clear contract terms are crucial to mitigate these risks.
How does this contract contribute to DARPA's overall mission, and what is the expected long-term impact of the research funded?
This contract supports DARPA's mission to make pivotal investments in breakthrough technologies for national security. The long-term impact is expected to be the development of novel capabilities that maintain the U.S. technological advantage. The specific research area suggests potential applications in areas like advanced materials, sensors, or computational systems, though the exact impact depends on research outcomes.
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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: HR001122S0053
Offers Received: 17
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: RTX Corp
Address: 10 MOULTON ST, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02138
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $34,175,063
Exercised Options: $30,858,915
Current Obligation: $18,429,548
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $323,652
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-06-20
Current End Date: 2026-06-27
Potential End Date: 2026-06-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-18
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