DoD's $23M contract for ASW, WASP, and data framework development shows strong R&D focus

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,016,211 ($23.0M)

Contractor: Moebius Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-09-07

End Date: 2026-02-06

Contract Duration: 1,248 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 999

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: MOEBIUS PROPOSES TO CONTINUE DEVELOPING THE ADAPTIVE ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE (AASW), WATERSPACE MANAGEMENT (WASP) AND DATA FRAMEWORK FOR THE MARITIME OPERATIONS CENTERS (MOC) OF THE FUTURE (DF-MOTF) ENHANCEMENTS TO THE ANALYTICS FOR COMMON TRACK MANAG

Place of Performance

Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92121

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $23.0 million to MOEBIUS SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: MOEBIUS PROPOSES TO CONTINUE DEVELOPING THE ADAPTIVE ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE (AASW), WATERSPACE MANAGEMENT (WASP) AND DATA FRAMEWORK FOR THE MARITIME OPERATIONS CENTERS (MOC) OF THE FUTURE (DF-MOTF) ENHANCEMENTS TO THE ANALYTICS FOR COMMON TRACK MANAG Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced analytics and data frameworks for future maritime operations. 2. Significant investment in research and development for naval warfare capabilities. 3. Long-term contract duration suggests a sustained need for these specialized services. 4. The chosen contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) allows for flexibility in R&D. 5. This award aligns with broader DoD efforts to modernize naval intelligence and operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $23 million for R&D in advanced anti-submarine warfare and data frameworks appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in defense analytics is challenging due to unique requirements, but the duration and scope suggest a fair price for developing future capabilities. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure is common for R&D where exact costs are uncertain, balancing contractor incentive with government oversight.

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 competitive process is expected to yield a fair price and ensure the selection of a capable contractor. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation is a positive indicator of market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The Department of the Navy benefits from enhanced capabilities in anti-submarine warfare and maritime data management. Future naval operations will be supported by advanced analytics and data frameworks. Personnel involved in maritime operations centers will have improved tools for situational awareness. The contract supports high-skilled R&D jobs within the defense technology sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
The long duration of the contract (over 3 years) requires ongoing performance monitoring.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Focus on critical R&D for national security enhances future defense capabilities.
Contractor has a clear role in developing future maritime operational frameworks.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences related to defense. The market for specialized defense R&D is characterized by high barriers to entry, significant government investment, and a focus on technological innovation. Moebius Solutions Inc. is positioned to contribute to the advancement of naval warfare technologies, a critical area for national security.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a set-aside. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services, contributing to the broader small business defense ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract will likely involve regular reviews of contractor costs, progress reports, and performance metrics by the Department of the Navy. The contract type necessitates close monitoring to ensure costs remain reasonable and aligned with the fixed fee. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements, and the Inspector General's office would have jurisdiction over potential fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

Naval Warfare Systems
Maritime Domain Awareness
Defense Analytics
Research and Development Contracts
Future Naval Capabilities

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to R&D complexity.
Risk of technological obsolescence in a rapidly evolving defense landscape.
Dependency on contractor's specialized expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $23.0 million to MOEBIUS SOLUTIONS INC. MOEBIUS PROPOSES TO CONTINUE DEVELOPING THE ADAPTIVE ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE (AASW), WATERSPACE MANAGEMENT (WASP) AND DATA FRAMEWORK FOR THE MARITIME OPERATIONS CENTERS (MOC) OF THE FUTURE (DF-MOTF) ENHANCEMENTS TO THE ANALYTICS FOR COMMON TRACK MANAG

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MOEBIUS SOLUTIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-07. End: 2026-02-06.

What is the historical spending pattern for Moebius Solutions Inc. with the Department of Defense, particularly in R&D for naval systems?

Analyzing Moebius Solutions Inc.'s historical spending with the Department of Defense requires access to comprehensive contract databases. However, this specific award of $23 million for R&D in adaptive anti-submarine warfare (AASW), waterspace management (WASP), and data frameworks suggests a focus on specialized, high-technology areas. Typically, contractors with a track record in such niche R&D fields often secure follow-on contracts or expand their scope as technologies mature and operational needs evolve. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to provide precise figures, but the nature of this contract indicates Moebius likely has prior experience in related defense R&D or advanced technology development, potentially with the Navy or other branches.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure compare to other contract types for similar R&D efforts in the defense sector?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is frequently utilized for research and development (R&D) efforts where the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset, or where innovation and exploration are key objectives. In R&D, costs can be unpredictable. CPFF allows the contractor to recover allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee, providing an incentive for efficient performance. Compared to Fixed Price contracts, CPFF offers more flexibility for the government if requirements change, but requires robust oversight to manage costs. Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contracts, another common R&D type, add performance incentives, while Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) offers subjective award fees based on performance. CPFF strikes a balance, offering cost flexibility while capping the contractor's profit.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) likely being used to assess Moebius Solutions Inc.'s performance on this contract?

For a contract focused on developing adaptive anti-submarine warfare (AASW), waterspace management (WASP), and data frameworks, key performance indicators (KPIs) would likely revolve around technical milestones, software development metrics, and system integration. These could include the successful development and testing of algorithms for AASW, the functionality and accuracy of the WASP system, the robustness and scalability of the data framework, and the successful integration of these components into existing or future maritime operations centers (MOCs). Timeliness of deliverables, adherence to budget projections (especially for the fixed fee component), and the quality of documentation and reports would also be critical. Ultimately, the government will assess how effectively Moebius's work contributes to enhancing the MOC's future capabilities.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the development of future naval intelligence and autonomous systems?

This contract is directly aimed at enhancing the capabilities of future Maritime Operations Centers (MOCs) through advanced analytics and data frameworks. The development of adaptive anti-submarine warfare (AASW) and waterspace management (WASP) systems is crucial for maintaining naval superiority in increasingly complex underwater environments. Improved data frameworks will enable better processing, analysis, and dissemination of intelligence, which is foundational for effective decision-making. Furthermore, the advanced analytics developed could potentially be leveraged for autonomous systems, providing them with enhanced situational awareness, threat detection, and operational planning capabilities, thereby contributing significantly to the modernization of naval intelligence and the integration of autonomous technologies.

Are there any specific risks associated with the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' (NAICS 541715) category that are relevant to this contract?

Yes, the Research and Development (R&D) category, particularly NAICS 541715, inherently carries risks related to technological feasibility, cost overruns, and schedule delays. For this specific contract involving adaptive anti-submarine warfare (AASW), waterspace management (WASP), and data frameworks, key risks include the complexity of developing novel algorithms and systems that must perform reliably in dynamic maritime environments. There's a risk that the proposed solutions may not achieve the desired level of performance or may require significant modifications, leading to increased costs and extended timelines. Ensuring interoperability with existing systems and adapting to evolving threats also present significant R&D challenges. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, while flexible, requires diligent oversight to mitigate potential cost escalations.

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: N0001422SB001

Offers Received: 999

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11238 EL CAMINO REAL, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92130

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,828,006

Exercised Options: $36,828,006

Current Obligation: $23,016,211

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline