Naval Research Lab contract for electronics R&D awarded to CACI Technologies for over $24M, spanning 8 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,044,770 ($24.0M)

Contractor: CACI Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2002-03-08

End Date: 2010-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,945 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200208!003262!1700!E3220 !NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY !N0017302C2008 !A!N! !N! !20020308!20030228!057364507!094107844!045534641!N!CACI TECHNOLOGIES, INC !14151 PARK MEADOW DRIVE !CHANTILLY !VA!20151!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA !D.C. !+000000364010!N!N!000024128107!AC63!RDTE/ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION EQ-ADV TECH DEV !S1 !SERVICES !2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541330!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !A!N!U!2!001!B! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!A!A!A!000!A!D!N! ! ! !Y! !N00039!0001!

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.0 million to CACI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: 200208!003262!1700!E3220 !NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY !N0017302C2008 !A!N! !N! !20020308!20030228!057364507!094107844!045534641!N!CACI TECHNOLOGIES, INC !14151 PARK MEADOW DRIVE !CHANTILLY !VA!20151!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTR… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for advanced technology development in electronics and communication. 2. Significant duration of 8 years suggests a long-term need for specialized R&D. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified contractors. 4. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control but also carries risk. 5. The primary focus is on Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation (RDT&E). 6. Contractor has a substantial history with the government, indicated by multiple awards.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $24,044,770 over approximately 8 years suggests a moderate annual spend for specialized R&D services. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for advanced electronics development is challenging without more specific service details. However, the duration and scope indicate a significant investment. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type means the government pays the contractor's costs plus a fixed fee, which can be efficient if costs are well-managed, but requires careful oversight to ensure value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple companies were likely solicited and allowed to bid. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers. The fact that it was competed openly implies that CACI Technologies, Inc. was selected based on merit and competitive pricing against other potential bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of contractors to offer their best terms and innovations.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Naval Research Laboratory, which receives advanced technology development services. Services delivered include research and development in electronics and communication technologies. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting naval research capabilities. Workforce implications include specialized engineering and scientific roles within CACI Technologies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and the fixed fee is justified.
Long contract durations can sometimes lead to scope creep or evolving requirements that may not be optimally managed.
The specific nature of 'advanced technology development' can be inherently risky, with outcomes not always guaranteed.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive selection process.
The contractor, CACI Technologies, Inc., has a significant presence and history in government contracting.
The contract supports critical R&D for the Department of Defense, aligning with national security objectives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Defense sector, specifically focusing on Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation (RDT&E) for electronics and communication technologies. The market for such specialized R&D services is highly competitive, involving firms with deep technical expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within other DoD RDT&E contracts for similar technological advancements, often measured in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars depending on the complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb=false). As a large contract awarded to CACI Technologies, Inc., there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. However, the primary awardee is a large business, and the extent of small business subcontracting is not detailed in this record.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Naval Research Laboratory and the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). The CPFF structure necessitates close monitoring of costs and progress. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements, though specific details of R&D progress may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Naval Research Laboratory R&D Programs
Department of Defense Electronics and Communications Research
Advanced Technology Development Contracts
Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contracts
Defense RDT&E Spending

Risk Flags

Contract duration exceeds typical R&D project timelines, potentially indicating evolving requirements or scope.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns.
Nature of 'advanced technology development' carries inherent uncertainty in outcomes and timelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.0 million to CACI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. 200208!003262!1700!E3220 !NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY !N0017302C2008 !A!N! !N! !20020308!20030228!057364507!094107844!045534641!N!CACI TECHNOLOGIES, INC !14151 PARK MEADOW DRIVE !CHANTILLY !VA!20151!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA !D.C. !+000000364010!N!N!000024128107!AC63!RDTE/ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION EQ-ADV TECH DEV !S1 !SERVICES !2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541330!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CACI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2002-03-08. End: 2010-03-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for CACI Technologies, Inc. with the Naval Research Laboratory?

The provided data indicates this specific contract (N0017302C2008) awarded to CACI Technologies, Inc. is valued at $24,044,770 and spans from March 8, 2002, to February 28, 2003, with an ultimate end date of March 31, 2010. This suggests a significant, long-term engagement. To understand the broader historical spending pattern, one would need to query federal procurement databases for all contracts awarded to CACI Technologies, Inc. by the Naval Research Laboratory across all years. This would reveal the total value, frequency, and types of services CACI has provided to NRL over time, helping to contextualize this particular award within their overall relationship.

How does the value of this contract compare to other similar R&D contracts in electronics and communication for the Navy?

This contract's total value of approximately $24 million over an 8-year period represents an average annual spend of roughly $3 million. For advanced R&D in specialized fields like electronics and communication, this amount is moderate. Larger, more complex programs can easily reach hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. However, for specific technology development tasks or component research, $3 million annually can be substantial. A direct comparison would require identifying contracts with identical Product Service Codes (PSCs) and similar scope descriptions within the Navy's RDT&E portfolio during the same time frame (early 2000s).

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to assess the success of this R&D contract?

For a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) R&D contract focused on advanced technology development, key performance indicators (KPIs) would likely revolve around technical milestones, deliverables, and adherence to the research plan. Specific KPIs might include the successful demonstration of prototypes, achievement of defined technical performance metrics (e.g., signal processing speed, power efficiency), timely delivery of research reports and documentation, and effective management of project costs within the approved budget. The 'fixed fee' component also implies that the contractor's performance in managing costs and delivering results within the scope is crucial for their ultimate profit.

What is the risk associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this project?

The primary risk with a CPFF contract is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts, as their costs are reimbursed. However, the 'fixed fee' component does provide a ceiling on the contractor's profit, which can mitigate some risk. For R&D projects, CPFF is often used because the scope and costs can be uncertain. The risk for the government lies in ensuring that the contractor exercises due diligence in managing expenses and that the fixed fee represents fair compensation for the effort and risk undertaken. Robust oversight and clear definition of work are critical to managing this risk.

How many bids were received for this contract, and what does that indicate about competition?

The data indicates this contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' (ct=FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION). While the specific number of bids received is not explicitly stated in the provided snippet, 'full and open competition' implies that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This suggests that multiple companies likely competed. A higher number of bids generally indicates stronger competition, which typically leads to better pricing and innovation for the government. The absence of specific bidder numbers means we cannot definitively quantify the level of competition beyond it being open.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: CACI International Inc (UEI: 045534641)

Address: 14370 NEWBROOK DRIVE, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,128,107

Exercised Options: $24,128,107

Current Obligation: $24,044,770

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline