Leidos Inc. awarded $29.2M for Naval ASW tactical signatures guidance and decision aid development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $29,190,594 ($29.2M)
Contractor: Leidos, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2017-08-25
End Date: 2022-12-16
Contract Duration: 1,939 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF TACTICAL SIGNATURES GUIDANCE SUPPORT - ENGINEERING, TECHNICAL, AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES REQUIRED IN SUPPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SIGNATURES GUIDANCE AND TACTICAL DECISION AIDS FOR NAVAL SHIPS, SUBMARINES, AIR AND SHORE BASED UNDERSEA SYSTEMS. PROVIDING TACTICAL SIGNATURE GUIDANCE TO ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (ASW) OPERATORS REQUIRES VISUALIZATION, MODELING AND TRAINING OF COMPLEX ACOUSTIC PRINCIPLES SUPPORTING THE FLEET.
Place of Performance
Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20817
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $29.2 million to LEIDOS, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF TACTICAL SIGNATURES GUIDANCE SUPPORT - ENGINEERING, TECHNICAL, AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES REQUIRED IN SUPPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SIGNATURES GUIDANCE AND TACTICAL DECISION AIDS FOR NAVAL SHIPS, SUBMARINES, AIR AND SHORE BASED UNDERSEA SYSTEMS. PROVIDING TACTI… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities for naval assets. 2. Services include engineering, technical, and program management for signature guidance. 3. Aims to enhance fleet's understanding and visualization of complex acoustic principles. 4. Supports development of tactical decision aids for ASW operators. 5. Contract duration spans over five years, indicating long-term support needs. 6. Primarily benefits the Department of the Navy's operational readiness.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $29.2 million over approximately five years suggests a moderate investment in specialized engineering and technical support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for defense-related R&D and technical services is challenging without more specific details on the scope of 'tactical signatures guidance.' However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type implies that costs are reimbursed plus a fixed fee, which can offer some cost control but also carries potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. The value appears reasonable for the specialized nature of supporting advanced ASW capabilities.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is generally expected to yield fair market pricing and encourage innovation. The presence of multiple bidders suggests a healthy market for these specialized engineering and technical services. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation is a positive indicator for competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value and price for essential defense capabilities, reducing the risk of overpayment for specialized services.
Public Impact
Naval ASW operators and fleet commanders benefit from improved tactical decision-making tools. Enhances the U.S. Navy's capability in undersea warfare and anti-submarine operations. Supports the development of advanced modeling and visualization tools for acoustic principles. Contributes to the technological superiority of U.S. naval assets in detecting and tracking submarines. Impacts the workforce by requiring specialized engineering, technical, and program management expertise.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can sometimes lead to higher final costs if not closely monitored.
- The complexity of acoustic principles and signature guidance may present technical challenges.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical decision aid development could pose a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
- Leidos, Inc. is a large, established defense contractor with significant experience in similar technical services.
- The contract supports a critical national security mission (ASW), indicating high strategic importance.
- Long contract duration suggests a stable, ongoing need for these specialized services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader defense sector, specifically focusing on advanced naval warfare technologies and engineering services. The market for defense engineering and technical support is substantial, driven by continuous modernization efforts and the need for specialized expertise in areas like acoustics, signal processing, and decision support systems. Comparable spending often involves contracts for simulation, modeling, training systems, and specialized software development for military applications. The $29.2 million value over five years positions this as a significant, but not exceptionally large, contract within this specialized niche.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and does not specify any small business subcontracting goals. Given the specialized nature of the work, it is likely that the prime contractor, Leidos, Inc., will utilize its own skilled workforce or engage with large, specialized subcontractors. The absence of small business set-aside information suggests that opportunities for small businesses may be limited unless they are part of Leidos's established supply chain for this specific program.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight is crucial to monitor expenditures and ensure the fixed fee is earned appropriately. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting mechanisms. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse. The contract's duration and value necessitate ongoing performance monitoring and quality assurance.
Related Government Programs
- Naval Warfare Systems
- Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Technology
- Defense Engineering Services
- Tactical Decision Support Systems
- Acoustic Modeling and Simulation
- Fleet Readiness Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost growth under CPFF contract type.
- Technical complexity of acoustic modeling and signature analysis.
- Need for continuous adaptation to evolving threats.
- Reliance on specialized expertise.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-navy, engineering-services, technical-services, program-management, anti-submarine-warfare, acoustic-modeling, decision-support, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, delivery-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $29.2 million to LEIDOS, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF TACTICAL SIGNATURES GUIDANCE SUPPORT - ENGINEERING, TECHNICAL, AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES REQUIRED IN SUPPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SIGNATURES GUIDANCE AND TACTICAL DECISION AIDS FOR NAVAL SHIPS, SUBMARINES, AIR AND SHORE BASED UNDERSEA SYSTEMS. PROVIDING TACTICAL SIGNATURE GUIDANCE TO ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (ASW) OPERATORS REQUIRES VISUALIZATION, MODELING AND TRAINING OF COMPLEX ACOUSTIC PRINCIPLES SUPPORTING THE FLEET.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LEIDOS, 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 $29.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-08-25. End: 2022-12-16.
What is the specific nature of the 'tactical signatures guidance' and 'tactical decision aids' being developed?
The contract description indicates that 'tactical signatures guidance' refers to providing information and tools to Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operators to help them understand and visualize complex acoustic principles related to naval platforms (ships, submarines, air, and shore-based undersea systems). The 'tactical decision aids' are likely software or systems that integrate this guidance to assist operators in making real-time decisions during ASW operations. This could involve advanced signal processing, threat identification, and environmental impact analysis to improve the effectiveness of ASW missions. The development aims to enhance the fleet's ability to detect, classify, and track undersea threats by providing clearer, more actionable intelligence derived from acoustic data.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type impact cost control and potential for overruns?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type reimburses the contractor (Leidos, Inc.) for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure is often used for research and development or complex services where the scope might evolve. While the fixed fee provides some incentive for the contractor to control costs (as their profit is capped), the government bears the risk of cost overruns if actual allowable costs exceed initial estimates. Effective oversight by the Department of the Navy is critical to scrutinize incurred costs, ensure they are reasonable and allocable to the contract, and prevent unnecessary expenditures. Without stringent monitoring, CPFF contracts can be susceptible to cost growth.
What is Leidos, Inc.'s track record with similar defense engineering and technical support contracts?
Leidos, Inc. is a major defense contractor with extensive experience in providing a wide range of engineering, technical, and program management services to the U.S. military, including the Department of the Navy. They have a history of supporting complex systems development, simulation, modeling, and advanced technology integration across various defense domains. Their portfolio often includes work on command and control systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and cyber solutions. While specific details on past performance for 'tactical signatures guidance' are not provided here, Leidos's overall profile suggests they possess the technical capabilities and program management maturity required for this type of contract. Past performance reviews and contract closeouts would provide more granular insights.
What are the potential risks associated with developing decision aids for complex acoustic principles?
Developing decision aids for complex acoustic principles in ASW presents several risks. Firstly, the underlying physics and environmental factors influencing acoustic propagation are highly complex and variable, making accurate modeling and prediction challenging. Secondly, translating this complex data into intuitive and reliable decision support for operators requires sophisticated algorithms and user interface design, where errors or misinterpretations could have serious consequences. Thirdly, the rapid evolution of adversary submarine technology necessitates continuous updates and adaptation of these systems, posing a risk of obsolescence or requiring significant re-work. Finally, ensuring the security and integrity of these sensitive tactical systems against cyber threats is paramount.
How does this contract compare to other spending on ASW technology development within the Department of the Navy?
The $29.2 million awarded to Leidos for tactical signatures guidance represents a focused investment within the broader Department of the Navy's ASW technology development portfolio. The Navy invests billions annually in ASW capabilities, encompassing platforms (ships, submarines, aircraft), sensors (sonar, torpedoes), weapons, and C4ISR systems. This contract appears to target a specific niche related to decision support and operator training based on acoustic signatures. While significant for its specialized area, it is likely a component of a larger, multi-faceted ASW modernization strategy. Comparing its value requires understanding the specific technological advancements it aims to deliver relative to other major ASW programs.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: N0016717R3016
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc.
Address: 1750 PRESIDENTS ST, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $33,103,978
Exercised Options: $33,103,978
Current Obligation: $29,190,594
Actual Outlays: $1,732,449
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 206
Total Subaward Amount: $14,475,069
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0017814D7578
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-08-25
Current End Date: 2022-12-16
Potential End Date: 2022-12-16 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-02-24
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