DoD's EMALS & AAG FFC Development Phase 1 contract awarded to General Atomics for $43.7M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $43,713,385 ($43.7M)
Contractor: General Atomics
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-01-01
End Date: 2027-04-30
Contract Duration: 849 days
Daily Burn Rate: $51.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: EMALS & AAG FFC DEVELOPMENT PHASE 1
Place of Performance
Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92121
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $43.7 million to GENERAL ATOMICS for work described as: EMALS & AAG FFC DEVELOPMENT PHASE 1 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, established vendor. 2. Limited competition due to the nature of the specialized equipment. 3. Potential risk associated with sole-source procurement and price escalation. 4. Spending falls within the 'Other Aircraft Parts' manufacturing sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's value of $43.7M for development phase 1 is difficult to assess without comparable benchmarks. The firm fixed-price structure aims to control costs, but the lack of competition raises concerns about optimal pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this sole-source contract may result in higher costs for taxpayers, as there is no market pressure to drive down prices.
Public Impact
Development of advanced aircraft launch and recovery systems for naval aviation. Potential impact on future carrier operations and aircraft readiness. Investment in cutting-edge technology for military applications.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source procurement
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost overruns
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract
- Development of critical defense technology
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending benchmarks for specialized defense development projects can vary widely, making direct comparisons challenging.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific contract award. The sole-source nature likely precluded subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure the successful development and delivery of the EMALS & AAG FFC system within the allocated budget and timeline, especially given the sole-source nature of the award.
Related Government Programs
- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
- Potential for cost growth in development phases.
- Dependency on a single contractor for critical technology.
- Uncertainty in long-term operational cost-effectiveness.
Tags
other-aircraft-parts-and-auxiliary-equip, department-of-defense, ca, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $43.7 million to GENERAL ATOMICS. EMALS & AAG FFC DEVELOPMENT PHASE 1
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GENERAL ATOMICS.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $43.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-01-01. End: 2027-04-30.
What is the projected long-term cost-effectiveness of the EMALS & AAG FFC system compared to existing technologies?
Assessing the long-term cost-effectiveness requires a comprehensive lifecycle cost analysis, including initial procurement, operational expenses, maintenance, and potential upgrades. Without this data, it's difficult to determine if the investment in EMALS & AAG FFC will yield greater value than continuing with or upgrading current systems.
What are the specific technical risks associated with the EMALS & AAG FFC development phase, and how are they being mitigated?
The primary technical risks likely revolve around integrating complex new technologies, ensuring reliability under demanding operational conditions, and meeting stringent performance specifications. Mitigation strategies should include rigorous testing, phased development with clear milestones, and robust quality assurance processes managed by the Department of the Navy.
How will the successful completion of this development phase impact the operational capabilities and readiness of naval aviation?
Successful completion is expected to enhance naval aviation capabilities by enabling the launch and recovery of a wider range of aircraft, including heavier and faster platforms, from aircraft carriers. This could improve operational flexibility, reduce turnaround times, and increase overall fleet readiness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT LAUNCHING, LANDING, GROUND HANDLING AND SERVICING EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Diazyme Laboratories, Inc.
Address: 3550 GENERAL ATOMICS CT, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92121
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: $87,063,018
Exercised Options: $43,713,385
Current Obligation: $43,713,385
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $1,137,758
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0001921G0014
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-01-01
Current End Date: 2027-04-30
Potential End Date: 2028-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-15
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