DoD's $11.6M AN/SSQ-101 Sonobuoy Contract Awarded to ERAPSCO Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,661,506 ($11.7M)

Contractor: Erapsco

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-04-11

End Date: 2010-09-15

Contract Duration: 1,253 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: AN/SSQ-101 SONOBUOY

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBIA CITY, WHITLEY County, INDIANA, 46725

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $11.7 million to ERAPSCO for work described as: AN/SSQ-101 SONOBUOY Key points: 1. The Department of the Navy awarded a $11.6 million contract for AN/SSQ-101 Sonobuoys. 2. ERAPSCO was the contractor, indicating potential market concentration in this specialized area. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive price discovery process. 4. The product falls under the Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $11.6 million for sonobuoys appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the equipment. Benchmarking against similar advanced acoustic detection systems would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which implies a competitive process was used, but specific sources may have been excluded initially. This method generally promotes price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award mechanism likely ensured taxpayers received fair value for the $11.6 million expenditure on critical naval equipment.

Public Impact

Enhances naval capabilities for submarine detection and tracking. Supports maritime security operations and intelligence gathering. Contributes to the readiness of naval forces in various operational environments.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Potential for limited competition if 'exclusion of sources' was restrictive.
  • Long-term sustainment and upgrade costs not detailed.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded under full and open competition.
  • Supports critical national defense functions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the defense manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on advanced sonar and detection systems. Spending benchmarks in this niche area are difficult to establish without more granular data on similar sonobuoy systems.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of the Navy, implying oversight by the Department of Defense. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause suggests a structured procurement process.

Related Government Programs

  • Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
  • Technology obsolescence risk in a rapidly evolving field.
  • Lack of detailed cost breakdown for long-term sustainment.
  • Dependence on a single contractor (ERAPSCO) for this specific model.

Tags

search-detection-navigation-guidance-aer, department-of-defense, in, dca, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.7 million to ERAPSCO. AN/SSQ-101 SONOBUOY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ERAPSCO.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-04-11. End: 2010-09-15.

What was the specific rationale for excluding certain sources in the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award?

The rationale for excluding specific sources under this procurement method typically relates to technical requirements, existing intellectual property, or previous performance issues. Understanding the exact reasons would clarify the extent of true competition and potential impacts on pricing and innovation.

What is the expected lifespan and obsolescence risk for the AN/SSQ-101 Sonobuoy?

The expected lifespan and obsolescence risk are critical factors for assessing the long-term value of this $11.6 million investment. Sonar technology evolves rapidly, and understanding the technological roadmap for these sonobuoys is essential to avoid acquiring systems that quickly become outdated, necessitating costly replacements.

How does the performance and cost of the AN/SSQ-101 compare to alternative or next-generation sonobuoy technologies?

A comparative analysis of the AN/SSQ-101's performance and cost against alternative systems, including emerging technologies, is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of this procurement. This comparison would inform future acquisition decisions and ensure the Navy is investing in the most capable and cost-efficient solutions for its mission requirements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingNavigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments ManufacturingSearch, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: N0016406R6788

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2101 S 600 E, COLUMBIA CITY, IN, 03

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,661,506

Exercised Options: $11,661,506

Current Obligation: $11,661,506

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2007-04-11

Current End Date: 2010-09-15

Potential End Date: 2010-09-15 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2009-06-10

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