DoD's $89M R&D Contract for Space Anomaly Detection Awarded to Assurance Technology Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $89,016,304 ($89.0M)
Contractor: Assurance Technology Corp
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2016-12-12
End Date: 2017-12-11
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $244.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF 81-4120-14 DETECTION OF ANOMALIES IN SPACE
Place of Performance
Location: CARLISLE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01741
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $89.0 million to ASSURANCE TECHNOLOGY CORP for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF 81-4120-14 DETECTION OF ANOMALIES IN SPACE Key points: 1. The contract focuses on advanced R&D in physical and engineering sciences, specifically for space anomaly detection. 2. Assurance Technology Corp. secured this significant award, indicating their specialized capabilities in this niche area. 3. The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure warrants scrutiny for potential cost overruns. 4. This spending falls within the broader Defense sector, supporting critical national security objectives.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) pricing structure can lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed tightly. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a limited competition. This method may not have yielded the most competitive pricing possible.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of limited competition could potentially result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully open bidding process.
Public Impact
Enhances national security through advanced space surveillance capabilities. Supports technological innovation in the critical field of space domain awareness. Funds research and development that could have dual-use applications beyond defense.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may have inflated costs.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts require robust oversight to control spending.
- Lack of detailed cost data hinders precise value assessment.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical national security need for space anomaly detection.
- Invests in advanced R&D capabilities.
- Awarded to a company with specialized expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically for anomaly detection in space. Spending benchmarks for highly specialized R&D can vary significantly, but $89 million represents a substantial investment.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' and 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' contract types necessitate strong oversight from the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) to ensure cost efficiency and adherence to scope.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
- Limited competition may have resulted in suboptimal pricing.
- Lack of transparency regarding the 'exclusion of sources'.
- Contract duration is relatively short for complex R&D.
- No small business participation indicated.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ma, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $89.0 million to ASSURANCE TECHNOLOGY CORP. IGF::OT::IGF 81-4120-14 DETECTION OF ANOMALIES IN SPACE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ASSURANCE TECHNOLOGY 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 $89.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2016-12-12. End: 2017-12-11.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this $89 million investment in space anomaly detection?
The contract aims to develop advanced capabilities for detecting and characterizing anomalies in space, which could include identifying new threats, tracking uncooperative satellites, or monitoring space debris. Specific advancements would likely involve novel sensor technologies, sophisticated data analysis algorithms, and improved space situational awareness platforms, ultimately enhancing the Department of Defense's ability to operate and protect assets in the space domain.
How does the limited competition impact the overall risk profile of this contract regarding cost and innovation?
Limited competition can increase the risk of higher costs due to reduced price pressure. It may also stifle innovation if alternative approaches or technologies from excluded sources are not considered. However, if the exclusion was based on highly specialized, proprietary technology essential for the mission, the risk might be mitigated by ensuring access to unique capabilities, though transparency on the justification for exclusion is crucial for assessing this.
What is the long-term effectiveness expected from this contract in improving the US's space domain awareness capabilities?
The long-term effectiveness hinges on the successful development and integration of the technologies funded. If the R&D yields robust and reliable anomaly detection systems, it could significantly enhance the US's ability to monitor and respond to events in space, thereby improving strategic advantage and national security. Continuous evaluation and adaptation of these systems will be key to maintaining effectiveness against evolving space environments and threats.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: N0017316RRS01
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 84 SOUTH ST, CARLISLE, MA, 01741
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $94,861,255
Exercised Options: $94,861,255
Current Obligation: $89,016,304
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1999
Total Subaward Amount: $482,578,337
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS402
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2016-12-12
Current End Date: 2017-12-11
Potential End Date: 2019-12-11 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-08-15
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