DoD awards $18.8M for sub-orbital launch support, with Corvid Technologies securing the definitive contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,839,784 ($18.8M)

Contractor: Corvid Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-02-28

End Date: 2026-02-27

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $51.8K/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: MANUFACTURING, FLIGHT ACTIVITY, AND LIMITED DESIGN SUPPORT OF SHORT AND MEDIUM RANGE SUB-ORBITAL AND LAUNCH SUPPORT SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: MOORESVILLE, IREDELL County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28117

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $18.8 million to CORVID TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: MANUFACTURING, FLIGHT ACTIVITY, AND LIMITED DESIGN SUPPORT OF SHORT AND MEDIUM RANGE SUB-ORBITAL AND LAUNCH SUPPORT SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized aerospace manufacturing and support services. 2. Full and open competition was initially planned but later excluded specific sources, warranting scrutiny. 3. Performance risk is moderate, given the specialized nature of sub-orbital flight and launch support. 4. This contract supports critical defense capabilities in missile and space vehicle manufacturing. 5. The award falls within the broader aerospace and defense manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $18.8 million for manufacturing, flight activity, and design support of sub-orbital launch services seems aligned with industry standards for specialized aerospace projects. Benchmarking against similar definitive contracts for niche manufacturing and technical support would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the absence of detailed cost breakdowns makes a granular comparison difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the initial solicitation was open, specific sources were later excluded, leading to a limited competition. The exact reasons for exclusion and the number of bidders considered after exclusions are not detailed, which limits the assessment of price discovery effectiveness.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources, even if justified, can potentially reduce competitive pressure, which may lead to less favorable pricing for taxpayers compared to a truly full and open competition.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Navy, benefits from enhanced capabilities in sub-orbital launch support. Services include manufacturing, flight activity, and design support for short and medium-range sub-orbital vehicles. The geographic impact is primarily linked to the contractor's location in North Carolina, but the services support national defense objectives. Workforce implications include specialized roles in aerospace engineering, manufacturing, and technical support within the defense industrial base.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for reduced competition due to exclusion of sources.
Lack of detailed cost breakdowns hinders thorough value-for-money analysis.
Specialized nature of services may limit the pool of qualified contractors.

Positive Signals

Award to a single contractor (Corvid Technologies, LLC) can foster specialized expertise and streamlined execution.
Definitive contract structure allows for flexibility in addressing evolving needs within the contract period.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract operates within the aerospace and defense manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing (NAICS 336414). This sector is characterized by high technological barriers to entry, significant R&D investment, and stringent quality and security requirements. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining national security and technological superiority. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other contracts for missile system development, launch vehicle components, or specialized aerospace support services.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside criterion for this award. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits for small businesses mandated by this contract's structure. The focus appears to be on specialized capabilities rather than small business utilization.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded in the definitive contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics and cost justifications may be less publicly accessible due to national security considerations. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Missile Manufacturing Contracts
Space Launch Services
Aerospace Engineering Support
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Programs
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Contracts

Risk Flags

Competition Limited After Exclusion of Sources
Lack of Detailed Cost Breakdown
Specialized Service Requirement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $18.8 million to CORVID TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. MANUFACTURING, FLIGHT ACTIVITY, AND LIMITED DESIGN SUPPORT OF SHORT AND MEDIUM RANGE SUB-ORBITAL AND LAUNCH SUPPORT SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CORVID TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-28. End: 2026-02-27.

What is Corvid Technologies, LLC's track record with similar Department of Defense contracts?

Corvid Technologies, LLC has a history of securing contracts with the Department of Defense, often in specialized areas related to aerospace, defense manufacturing, and technology development. While specific details on past performance for sub-orbital launch services are not provided in this summary, their presence in this sector suggests prior experience. A deeper dive into their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any reported issues, would be necessary to fully assess their reliability for this specific requirement. Their ability to meet the technical and schedule demands of this $18.8 million contract hinges on this historical performance.

How does the $18.8 million contract value compare to similar sub-orbital launch support services?

Benchmarking the $18.8 million contract value requires comparing it to similar definitive contracts for the manufacturing, flight activity, and design support of short and medium-range sub-orbital vehicles. Given the specialized nature of this work, which involves advanced manufacturing techniques and potentially complex flight operations, the price appears within a reasonable range for niche defense projects. However, without access to detailed cost breakdowns or a broader dataset of comparable contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Factors like the duration of the contract (364 days), the specific technical requirements, and the level of innovation required would influence the overall cost.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include technical challenges in sub-orbital flight and manufacturing, potential schedule delays, and the possibility of cost overruns, although the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure aims to mitigate the latter. The 'Exclusion of Sources' in the competition phase also introduces a risk of reduced competitive pressure. Mitigation strategies likely involve Corvid Technologies' specialized expertise, robust project management, adherence to strict quality control measures, and the government's oversight through the definitive contract's terms. The moderate performance risk is inherent in advanced aerospace projects.

What is the expected program effectiveness and impact of these sub-orbital launch support services?

The program effectiveness is expected to enhance the Department of Defense's capabilities in areas such as missile development, testing, and potentially space-based operations. These services directly support the manufacturing and operational readiness of short and medium-range sub-orbital vehicles, which are crucial for national security. The impact includes advancing technological proficiency in aerospace manufacturing and providing critical assets for defense missions. The successful execution of this contract will contribute to the overall strategic objectives of the Department of the Navy and the broader defense industrial base.

How has federal spending in guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing (NAICS 336414) trended historically?

Federal spending in the Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing sector (NAICS 336414) has historically been substantial, driven by national defense requirements and space exploration initiatives. This sector typically sees significant investment during periods of heightened geopolitical tension or when developing next-generation defense systems. Spending can fluctuate based on program lifecycles, technological advancements, and budget allocations. While specific historical data for this exact contract type isn't provided, the overall trend for NAICS 336414 indicates consistent, high-value government procurement to maintain a robust defense industrial base and technological edge.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: N6339424R0005

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Chickasaw Nation

Address: 153 LANGTREE CAMPUS DR, MOORESVILLE, NC, 28117

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $268,443,030

Exercised Options: $31,828,142

Current Obligation: $18,839,784

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline