DoD's DARPA TTO awards Northrop Grumman $17.25M for RISE program
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,250,032 ($17.3M)
Contractor: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2017-09-28
End Date: 2019-03-27
Contract Duration: 545 days
Daily Burn Rate: $31.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 14
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF -- DARPA TACTICAL TECHNOLOGY OFFICE (TTO) PROGRAM, SOW TITLED, "RAPID INTEGRATION SWARM ECOSYSTEM (RISE)"
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $17.3 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF -- DARPA TACTICAL TECHNOLOGY OFFICE (TTO) PROGRAM, SOW TITLED, "RAPID INTEGRATION SWARM ECOSYSTEM (RISE)" Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Northrop Grumman for research and development. 2. Focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 4. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can shift risk to the government. 5. Program aims to advance swarm ecosystem integration.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type, while common for R&D, can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. However, the specific pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) requires careful monitoring to ensure value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced R&D, with the potential for significant technological advancements, but also the risk of cost escalation.
Public Impact
Advancement of autonomous systems and swarm technologies. Potential for dual-use applications in defense and civilian sectors. Investment in cutting-edge research and development. Supports innovation in artificial intelligence and robotics.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
- Limited visibility into specific performance metrics.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition.
- Focus on high-impact R&D.
- Potential for significant technological breakthroughs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for national security and technological advancement, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and innovation.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific involvement or subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is likely managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), responsible for ensuring contract compliance and performance. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates robust oversight to control costs.
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
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Potential for cost overruns.
- R&D projects inherently carry uncertainty.
- Limited public information on specific program goals.
- Contract duration is relatively short for complex R&D.
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 $17.3 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF -- DARPA TACTICAL TECHNOLOGY OFFICE (TTO) PROGRAM, SOW TITLED, "RAPID INTEGRATION SWARM ECOSYSTEM (RISE)"
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-09-28. End: 2019-03-27.
What are the specific performance metrics and deliverables for the RISE program to ensure value for money?
The specific performance metrics and deliverables for the RISE program are not detailed in the provided data. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee R&D contract, success is often measured by achieving defined research milestones and technological advancements rather than fixed outputs. Detailed program documentation and regular reviews by DARPA would be necessary to assess value for money.
What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure in this R&D context?
The primary risks with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure in R&D are the potential for the government to bear the brunt of cost overruns if the contractor's actual costs exceed estimates. Additionally, CPFF contracts can sometimes incentivize contractors to incur higher costs to increase their fee, which is a percentage of the costs. Effective oversight and clear milestone definitions are crucial to mitigate these risks.
How will the effectiveness of the RISE program's technological advancements be measured post-contract?
The effectiveness of the RISE program's technological advancements will likely be measured through a combination of technical reviews, prototype demonstrations, and potential integration into future DARPA or DoD programs. The ultimate measure of effectiveness will be the successful application and scalability of the developed swarm ecosystem technologies in real-world scenarios, contributing to enhanced operational capabilities.
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 › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: HR001117S0011
Offers Received: 14
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation
Address: 1580A W NURSERY RD, LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, MD, 21090
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,327,956
Exercised Options: $17,327,956
Current Obligation: $17,250,032
Actual Outlays: $1,018,208
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 35
Total Subaward Amount: $4,282,166
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-09-28
Current End Date: 2019-03-27
Potential End Date: 2021-03-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-12
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