DoD's $178.6M R&D Contract with HII Mission Technologies Corp. Awarded via Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,857,514 ($17.9M)

Contractor: HII Mission Technologies Corp.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2001-01-10

End Date: 2006-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,089 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22315

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.9 million to HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. for work described as: Key points: 1. Significant investment in R&D services, indicating a focus on technological advancement. 2. HII Mission Technologies Corp. is a major player in the defense sector. 3. The contract's duration and value present potential long-term financial commitments. 4. The 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' NAICS code suggests a broad scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $178.6 million over approximately 5.7 years suggests a substantial investment. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D contracts would be necessary for a precise value assessment, but the firm fixed-price structure aims to control costs.

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,' indicating a competitive process was initiated. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for R&D services.

Public Impact

Advancement in critical R&D areas for national security. Potential for technological breakthroughs with significant defense applications. Supports a major defense contractor and its workforce. Long-term commitment of resources to research and development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Long contract duration (2089 days) could lead to scope creep or cost overruns if not managed effectively.
  • Firm Fixed Price can be disadvantageous if unforeseen technical challenges arise in R&D.
  • Exclusion of sources in the competition method warrants scrutiny to ensure true fairness.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
  • Significant investment in R&D aligns with strategic national priorities.
  • Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining a technological edge in defense, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific research domain.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Larger prime contractors like HII Mission Technologies Corp. may engage small businesses as subcontractors, but direct award analysis shows no small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Defense, through the Defense Contract Management Agency, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight is crucial for R&D contracts to ensure progress, manage risks, and confirm adherence to contract terms and objectives.

Related Government Programs

  • Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Long contract duration increases risk of cost escalation and scope creep.
  • Firm Fixed Price may not be optimal for high-uncertainty R&D projects.
  • Potential for vendor lock-in if R&D leads to proprietary solutions.
  • Complexity of R&D makes performance monitoring challenging.

Tags

research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.9 million to HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP.. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HII MISSION TECHNOLOGIES CORP..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2001-01-10. End: 2006-09-30.

What specific R&D advancements are expected from this contract, and how do they align with current defense modernization priorities?

The contract's broad NAICS code (541710) suggests a wide range of potential R&D activities. Specific advancements would depend on the detailed SOW. Alignment with defense modernization priorities is likely, given the agency (DoD) and contractor's focus, but requires verification through program documentation to ensure taxpayer funds are directed towards strategic goals.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will their achievement be measured to assess effectiveness?

Effectiveness measurement for R&D contracts often relies on milestones, deliverables, technical reviews, and prototypes. Specific KPIs would be detailed in the contract's SOW and performance metrics. The agency's oversight would track progress against these defined benchmarks to ensure the contractor is meeting objectives and delivering value.

Given the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition, what measures were in place to ensure a fair and competitive process and prevent potential price inflation?

While 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' implies a competitive process, the exclusion itself warrants examination. Agencies typically justify such exclusions based on specific technical requirements or prior work. Ensuring fairness involves documenting the justification, conducting a thorough market survey, and verifying that the chosen method truly yielded the best value and competitive pricing.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTDEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: HII Mission Technologies Corp (UEI: 096500483)

Address: 5875 BARCLAY DRIVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22315

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2001-01-10

Current End Date: 2006-09-30

Potential End Date: 2006-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2020-01-21

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