DoD's $3.4M Project to Transition FCM99 Waveform Tech to SDR Fabric for Field Operations
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,432,929 ($3.4M)
Contractor: L3 Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-09-12
End Date: 2027-01-05
Contract Duration: 845 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 999
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE TECHNICAL OBJECTIVE OF THIS MULTI-YEAR PROJECT IS TO EVALUATE THE VALIDITY OF TRANSITIONING FCM99 WAVEFORM TECHNOLOGY INTO A SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO (SDR) FABRIC. THIS IS WITH THE INTENT OF MATURING THE TECHNOLOGY TOWARDS A FIELD OPERATIONS.
Place of Performance
Location: SALT LAKE CITY, SALT LAKE County, UTAH, 84116
State: Utah Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $3.4 million to L3 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: THE TECHNICAL OBJECTIVE OF THIS MULTI-YEAR PROJECT IS TO EVALUATE THE VALIDITY OF TRANSITIONING FCM99 WAVEFORM TECHNOLOGY INTO A SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO (SDR) FABRIC. THIS IS WITH THE INTENT OF MATURING THE TECHNOLOGY TOWARDS A FIELD OPERATIONS. Key points: 1. Focuses on maturing advanced waveform technology for practical field use. 2. Contract awarded to L3 Technologies, Inc. by the Department of the Navy. 3. Significant R&D investment in software-defined radio capabilities. 4. Potential for enhanced communication flexibility and adaptability in military operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $3.43 million for a multi-year R&D project appears reasonable given the technical complexity and objective of maturing advanced technology. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for waveform technology transition would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process that likely led to a fair price discovery. This method ensures a broad range of potential contractors could participate.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being invested in cutting-edge research and development, aiming to improve future military communication capabilities, which could lead to long-term cost savings and operational efficiencies.
Public Impact
Enhances national defense capabilities through advanced communication technology. Supports innovation in the defense sector, potentially leading to dual-use applications. Invests in future military readiness and technological superiority.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Technology transition risk
- Long development timeline
Positive Signals
- Potential for significant operational improvement
- Investment in future-proof technology
Sector Analysis
This project falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining technological advantage, with significant government investment directed towards defense-related R&D.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small businesses were not directly involved as prime contractors in this specific award. Future opportunities may arise for small businesses in subcontracting roles or in subsequent phases of technology deployment.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Navy is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for R&D contracts, including milestone reviews and performance monitoring, are expected to be in place to ensure accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Technical integration complexity
- Long-term sustainment of SDR technology
- Potential for obsolescence of underlying hardware
- Dependence on specialized vendor expertise
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ut, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $3.4 million to L3 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. THE TECHNICAL OBJECTIVE OF THIS MULTI-YEAR PROJECT IS TO EVALUATE THE VALIDITY OF TRANSITIONING FCM99 WAVEFORM TECHNOLOGY INTO A SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO (SDR) FABRIC. THIS IS WITH THE INTENT OF MATURING THE TECHNOLOGY TOWARDS A FIELD OPERATIONS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is L3 TECHNOLOGIES, 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 $3.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-12. End: 2027-01-05.
What are the specific performance metrics for evaluating the validity of transitioning FCM99 waveform technology into an SDR fabric?
The specific performance metrics are not detailed in the provided data. However, typical metrics for such a transition would likely include signal fidelity, data throughput, latency, power consumption, spectral efficiency, and adaptability to various operational environments. The project's success will hinge on demonstrating that the SDR fabric can reliably and efficiently implement the FCM99 waveform's capabilities.
What are the primary technical risks associated with integrating FCM99 waveform technology into a software-defined radio fabric?
Key technical risks include ensuring compatibility between the legacy FCM99 waveform and the modern SDR architecture, potential performance degradation during the transition, challenges in achieving real-time processing demands of the waveform within the SDR, and the complexity of developing robust software to manage the integration. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the new SDR fabric also present a significant risk.
How will the successful transition of this technology impact the Department of the Navy's operational effectiveness?
A successful transition could significantly enhance the Navy's operational effectiveness by providing more flexible, adaptable, and potentially more secure communication systems. SDRs allow for software updates to change capabilities in the field, enabling rapid response to evolving threats and mission requirements. This could lead to improved command and control, better situational awareness, and interoperability across different platforms.
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: N0001424SB001
Offers Received: 999
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 640 N 2200 W, SALT LAKE CITY, UT, 84116
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: $12,882,645
Exercised Options: $6,747,710
Current Obligation: $3,432,929
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-12
Current End Date: 2027-01-05
Potential End Date: 2027-01-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-06
More Contracts from L3 Technologies, Inc.
- 63 Each of the Following Hardware Items for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle System (bfvs): Thor Hmpt 800HP Reman Transmission, NSN 2520-01-626-5061 TCM Electronic Assembly, NSN 2520-01-627-6468 Shift Tower, NSN 2520-01-465-5184 TEC Cable, NSN 6150-01-631-6134 — $456.5M (Department of Defense)
- Purchase of 538 EA E-Rovers — $401.1M (Department of Defense)
- Federal Contract — $395.7M (Department of Defense)
- CEC System Production and Repair — $315.9M (Department of Defense)
- Undersea Warfare Training Range (uswtr) Program Requirements Will Provide the Capability for Undersea Warfare (USW) Training and Assessment in Shallow Water and Deep Water Under Adverse Conditions for AIR, Surface, and Subsurface Forces — $267.9M (Department of Defense)
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)