DoD's $21.3M Airborne Multi-Intelligence Support Contract Awarded to Scientific Research Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,355,174 ($21.4M)

Contractor: Scientific Research Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-03-11

End Date: 2026-03-10

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: AIRBORNE MULTI-INTELLIGENCE AND SPECIAL MISSIONS (AMISM) CONSOLIDATED PRODUCT SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: HANAHAN, BERKELEY County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29410

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $21.4 million to SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION for work described as: AIRBORNE MULTI-INTELLIGENCE AND SPECIAL MISSIONS (AMISM) CONSOLIDATED PRODUCT SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized engineering services for airborne intelligence platforms. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. Duration of 1460 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type may incentivize cost management by the contractor. 5. The contract is a delivery order under a larger program, suggesting phased execution. 6. Scientific Research Corporation is the sole awardee for this specific delivery order. 7. The contract value represents a significant investment in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $21.3 million over four years for specialized engineering services appears reasonable given the complexity of airborne intelligence systems. Benchmarking against similar contracts for ISR platform support is challenging due to the niche nature of the services. However, the fixed-fee component of the contract type suggests a degree of cost control and predictability for the government, which is a positive indicator of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The fact that there were two bids received suggests a competitive environment, though the specific number of bidders is relatively low for a contract of this nature. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces. A competitive award means the government likely secured the best possible price and technical solution available.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Navy and the broader U.S. defense intelligence community, who will receive enhanced support for critical airborne intelligence missions. Services delivered include engineering, product support, and technical expertise for specialized airborne intelligence platforms. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of the U.S. Navy's aviation and intelligence units, with potential global reach. Workforce implications include specialized engineering and technical roles, likely requiring highly skilled personnel within Scientific Research Corporation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in cost-plus contract types if not rigorously managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for this specific delivery order could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The specialized nature of the work may limit the pool of qualified alternative contractors in the future.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent procurement process.
The long contract duration suggests a stable and ongoing requirement, providing continuity of essential support.
Scientific Research Corporation's role as a product support provider indicates a focus on maintaining and enhancing existing capabilities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting defense-related aerospace and intelligence systems. The market for specialized airborne intelligence product support is niche, characterized by high technical barriers to entry and a limited number of experienced contractors. Spending in this area is driven by the continuous need for advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to maintain national security.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this specific award. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors if their specialized services are required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officers and program managers within the Department of the Navy. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance metrics, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract award announcements and public contract databases, though detailed operational specifics remain classified.

Related Government Programs

Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Programs
Naval Aviation Support Contracts
Defense Engineering Services
Intelligence Community Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost-Plus contract type requires careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency.
Sole awardee for this delivery order necessitates strong performance management.
Specialized nature of services may limit future competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $21.4 million to SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION. AIRBORNE MULTI-INTELLIGENCE AND SPECIAL MISSIONS (AMISM) CONSOLIDATED PRODUCT SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-11. End: 2026-03-10.

What is Scientific Research Corporation's track record with similar Department of Defense contracts, particularly in airborne intelligence support?

Scientific Research Corporation (SRC) has a history of performing complex engineering and technical services for the Department of Defense. While specific details on their airborne multi-intelligence product support contracts are not publicly detailed in this context, SRC is known for its work in areas such as electronic warfare, command and control systems, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) technologies. Their experience often involves system integration, software development, and lifecycle support for advanced defense platforms. A review of their contract history would likely reveal a pattern of successful performance on technically demanding projects, though specific performance metrics for this particular contract are not yet available as it is relatively new.

How does the $21.3 million value compare to other contracts for similar airborne intelligence product support?

Direct comparisons for 'Airborne Multi-Intelligence and Special Missions (AMISM) Consolidated Product Support' are difficult due to the specialized and often classified nature of such services. However, contracts for broader ISR platform support, system integration, and specialized engineering services for military aircraft can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. The $21.3 million value for a four-year delivery order suggests a focused scope of work, likely concentrating on specific systems or platforms rather than comprehensive fleet-wide support. This value appears within a reasonable range for specialized engineering and product support in the defense sector, assuming the scope aligns with the services provided.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for this type of service?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is the potential for the contractor to incur costs that exceed initial estimates, although the fixed fee provides a ceiling on the profit. For the government, the risk lies in the contractor not managing costs efficiently, as the government bears the direct cost of performance. This contract type can incentivize contractors to complete work efficiently to maximize their fee, but it requires robust government oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. If the scope of work is not well-defined, there's a risk of scope creep, which could lead to increased costs without a commensurate increase in value.

What is the expected effectiveness of the services provided under this contract for enhancing U.S. intelligence capabilities?

The effectiveness of the services provided under this contract is expected to be high, given the critical nature of airborne multi-intelligence and special missions. By ensuring consolidated product support for these platforms, the Department of the Navy aims to maintain and enhance the operational readiness and technical superiority of its intelligence-gathering assets. This support likely involves maintaining complex systems, integrating new technologies, and providing technical expertise, all of which are crucial for the effective collection, processing, and dissemination of intelligence. Enhanced support directly translates to more reliable and capable intelligence platforms, bolstering overall U.S. intelligence-gathering capabilities.

How has spending on airborne intelligence support evolved over the past five years, and does this contract align with trends?

Spending on airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems and associated support has been a consistent priority for the Department of Defense over the past five years, driven by evolving global threats and the need for persistent monitoring. While specific figures for 'Airborne Multi-Intelligence and Special Missions Consolidated Product Support' are not readily available for historical trends, overall defense spending on ISR platforms and services has remained robust. This $21.3 million contract aligns with the trend of investing in specialized support to maintain and upgrade sophisticated intelligence assets, ensuring they remain effective against modern challenges. The focus on product support suggests a strategy of maximizing the longevity and performance of existing investments.

What are the potential implications of Scientific Research Corporation being the sole awardee for this specific delivery order?

The implication of Scientific Research Corporation being the sole awardee for this specific delivery order, despite the contract being competed under 'full and open' procedures, is that they were deemed the most advantageous offer based on the evaluation criteria. This could be due to a combination of technical qualifications, past performance, and price. For taxpayers, it means the government selected one vendor it believed offered the best value. However, it also means that for this particular order, there is no direct competition to drive down costs further during the performance period. Future delivery orders under the same basic contract could potentially be competed differently or awarded to other vendors if the contract structure allows.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N6523621R3038

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2300 WINDY RIDGE PKWY, ATLANTA, GA, 30339

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,495,433

Exercised Options: $21,495,433

Current Obligation: $21,355,174

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 33

Total Subaward Amount: $4,861,250

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017819D8474

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline