DoD's $17.9M Unmanned Systems Facility to Test in Degraded Environments, Awarded to University of Memphis
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,898,080 ($17.9M)
Contractor: University of Memphis
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-08-13
End Date: 2028-08-25
Contract Duration: 1,473 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 999
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE UXS DEGRADED ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (UXSDEF) WILL ALLOW TESTING OF UNMANNED SYSTEMS IN DEGRADED ENVIRONMENTS. PHASE I WILL DEVELOP A FAN ARRAY WIND TUNNEL OR WINDWALL WITH MOTION CAPTURE. PHASE II WILL ADD ADDITIONAL DEGRADED ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS R
Place of Performance
Location: MEMPHIS, SHELBY County, TENNESSEE, 38152
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $17.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS for work described as: THE UXS DEGRADED ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (UXSDEF) WILL ALLOW TESTING OF UNMANNED SYSTEMS IN DEGRADED ENVIRONMENTS. PHASE I WILL DEVELOP A FAN ARRAY WIND TUNNEL OR WINDWALL WITH MOTION CAPTURE. PHASE II WILL ADD ADDITIONAL DEGRADED ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS R Key points: 1. The UXS Degraded Environment Facility (UXSDEF) aims to enhance unmanned systems testing capabilities. 2. Phase I focuses on a fan array wind tunnel or windwall with motion capture. 3. Phase II will incorporate additional degraded environment simulations. 4. The contract is a definitive contract awarded on a full and open competition basis. 5. The University of Memphis is the awardee for this research and development project.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost No Fee, which is common for early-stage R&D where costs are difficult to predict. The total award amount of $17.9M over approximately 4 years suggests a significant investment in developing a specialized testing facility.
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 method is generally expected to yield competitive pricing, although the specific pricing structure for this R&D effort is not detailed.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being invested in advanced research and development to improve national defense capabilities through enhanced unmanned systems testing.
Public Impact
Enhances national security by improving the testing and development of unmanned systems. Supports technological advancement in the field of aerospace and defense. Provides a specialized facility for research, potentially leading to future innovations. The University of Memphis will benefit from this significant research contract.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown for the phased development.
- Potential for cost overruns in complex R&D projects.
- Dependence on a single awardee for the facility's development.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Addresses a critical need for advanced testing environments.
- Supports innovation in unmanned systems technology.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The $17.9M award for a specialized testing facility is substantial and reflects the growing importance of unmanned systems in defense.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. The awardee, University of Memphis, is an educational institution, not a small business.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Navy is the awarding agency, implying oversight from the Department of Defense. The contract type and duration will necessitate ongoing monitoring to ensure progress and adherence to objectives.
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
- Cost No Fee contract type may lead to less contractor incentive for cost control.
- R&D projects are inherently uncertain and may not achieve all intended objectives.
- The facility's effectiveness relies on the accuracy of simulated degraded environments.
- Long project duration (approx. 4 years) increases exposure to technological obsolescence.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, tn, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $17.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS. THE UXS DEGRADED ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (UXSDEF) WILL ALLOW TESTING OF UNMANNED SYSTEMS IN DEGRADED ENVIRONMENTS. PHASE I WILL DEVELOP A FAN ARRAY WIND TUNNEL OR WINDWALL WITH MOTION CAPTURE. PHASE II WILL ADD ADDITIONAL DEGRADED ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS R
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-08-13. End: 2028-08-25.
What is the projected return on investment for this facility in terms of improved unmanned system performance or cost savings in future development?
The return on investment is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. However, the facility is intended to improve the testing and development of unmanned systems, which could lead to more robust and cost-effective systems in the long run by identifying design flaws and performance issues early in the development cycle.
What are the specific risks associated with testing unmanned systems in degraded environments, and how will this facility mitigate them?
Risks include potential damage to expensive unmanned systems during testing, inaccurate data collection due to uncontrolled environmental factors, and safety hazards. The UXSDEF aims to mitigate these by providing a controlled, yet representative, degraded environment, allowing for systematic testing and data analysis, thereby reducing real-world testing risks and costs.
How will the effectiveness of the UXSDEF be measured, and what are the key performance indicators for its success?
Effectiveness will likely be measured by the facility's ability to accurately simulate various degraded environments, the quality and reliability of data collected during testing, and the extent to which it contributes to the successful development and deployment of improved unmanned systems. Key performance indicators could include the range of simulated environments, the precision of motion capture, and feedback from system developers.
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: N0001423SB001
Offers Received: 999
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 115 JOHN WILDER TOWER, MEMPHIS, TN, 38152
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,184,191
Exercised Options: $21,184,191
Current Obligation: $17,898,080
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-08-13
Current End Date: 2028-08-25
Potential End Date: 2028-08-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-14
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