DoD's $17.5M SMART EPANTS R&D contract awarded to Leidos, Inc. for advanced textile systems
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,465,925 ($17.5M)
Contractor: Leidos, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-07-28
End Date: 2026-05-27
Contract Duration: 1,034 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 18
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SMART ELECTRICALLY POWERED AND NETWORKED TEXTILE SYSTEMS (SMART EPANTS) PROGRAM
Place of Performance
Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92121
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $17.5 million to LEIDOS, INC. for work described as: SMART ELECTRICALLY POWERED AND NETWORKED TEXTILE SYSTEMS (SMART EPANTS) PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract focuses on research and development, indicating a long-term investment in novel technologies. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process. 3. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility in R&D but requires careful cost monitoring. 4. The duration of over 1000 days points to a complex and potentially lengthy development cycle. 5. The specific NAICS code (541715) highlights the contract's alignment with advanced physical and engineering sciences. 6. The geographic location of the awardee in California may indicate a concentration of specialized R&D talent.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this R&D contract is challenging due to its specialized nature and the lack of direct comparable projects. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) pricing structure is common for R&D where scope can evolve, but it necessitates rigorous oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and the fixed fee is justified. Without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar government-funded R&D in advanced materials, a definitive value assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely solicited and evaluated. The presence of 18 proposals suggests a competitive environment, which typically aids in price discovery and can lead to more favorable terms for the government. The specific number of bidders and the evaluation criteria would provide further insight into the strength of the competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a market where contractors strive to offer competitive pricing and innovative solutions to win awards.
Public Impact
The Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Navy, is the primary beneficiary, seeking advancements in textile systems for potential military applications. The contract will deliver research and development services for 'SMART ELECTRICALLY POWERED AND NETWORKED TEXTILE SYSTEMS (SMART EPANTS)'. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, with potential for technology transfer and application across various defense installations. Workforce implications may include the employment of highly skilled researchers, engineers, and technicians in the field of advanced materials and electrical engineering.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- The long duration of the contract may introduce risks related to technological obsolescence or shifting program priorities.
- The specialized nature of the R&D might limit the number of qualified small businesses that can participate as subcontractors.
Positive Signals
- Award under full and open competition suggests a thorough vetting process and potential for innovative solutions.
- The focus on R&D aligns with strategic modernization efforts within the Department of Defense.
- The contract's duration allows for in-depth research and development, potentially leading to significant technological breakthroughs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced materials and networked systems. The market for smart textiles is growing, driven by applications in defense, healthcare, and consumer electronics. Government investment in this area is crucial for fostering innovation and maintaining a technological edge. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the niche nature of 'SMART EPANTS', but R&D contracts in advanced materials often represent significant investments.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). While Leidos, Inc. is a large business, the subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in specialized R&D areas like smart textiles could be limited. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any small business subcontracting plan is in place or if small businesses are expected to participate in the supply chain for components or specialized services.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates regular reviews of incurred costs and the contractor's progress towards milestones. Transparency will depend on the reporting requirements stipulated in the contract and the agency's policies regarding the release of R&D information. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Advanced Materials Research
- Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
- Wearable Technology Initiatives
- Networked Systems Development
- Textile Engineering Research
Risk Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
- Long contract duration may pose risks of technological obsolescence.
- Specialized R&D nature could limit small business subcontracting opportunities.
Tags
department-of-defense, department-of-the-navy, research-and-development, advanced-materials, smart-textiles, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, definitive-contract, california, leidos-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $17.5 million to LEIDOS, INC.. SMART ELECTRICALLY POWERED AND NETWORKED TEXTILE SYSTEMS (SMART EPANTS) PROGRAM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LEIDOS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-07-28. End: 2026-05-27.
What is the specific technological objective of the SMART EPANTS program?
The SMART EPANTS program aims to develop 'SMART ELECTRICALLY POWERED AND NETWORKED TEXTILE SYSTEMS'. While the provided data does not detail the specific technological objectives, the name suggests a focus on integrating electrical power and networking capabilities directly into textile materials. This could involve creating fabrics that can generate, store, or transmit power, or that can host embedded sensors and communication devices. Such advancements could have applications in areas like soldier systems, medical monitoring, or advanced communication platforms, enabling more integrated and less cumbersome technological solutions.
How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) structure impact the government's risk and potential for cost overruns in this R&D contract?
The Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) structure means the government reimburses the contractor for all allowable costs incurred during the R&D effort, plus a predetermined fixed fee. This structure is often used for R&D where the scope is not fully defined or is expected to evolve. For the government, the primary risk is that actual costs could exceed initial estimates, although the fixed fee provides some predictability in contractor profit. The government bears the risk of cost overruns if the R&D proves more expensive than anticipated. Effective oversight, detailed cost reporting, and clear milestone definitions are crucial to mitigate the risk of excessive spending and ensure the fixed fee remains appropriate for the work performed.
What are the potential applications and benefits of 'electrically powered and networked textile systems' for the Department of Defense?
Electrically powered and networked textile systems (SMART EPANTS) offer significant potential benefits for the Department of Defense. These could include lighter, more integrated soldier systems where power and communication are woven directly into uniforms or gear, reducing bulk and improving mobility. Applications might involve embedded sensors for physiological monitoring of troops, advanced communication arrays, or even self-healing or adaptive camouflage capabilities. The ability to power and network devices directly within textiles could revolutionize situational awareness, logistics, and the overall effectiveness of military personnel in diverse operational environments.
Given the $17.5 million award value and a duration of over 1000 days, what is the approximate daily spending rate for this R&D contract?
The total award value for the SMART EPANTS program is approximately $17,465,925.08, and the contract duration is 1034 days. To estimate the approximate daily spending rate, we divide the total award value by the number of days: $17,465,925.08 / 1034 days ≈ $16,892 per day. This figure represents the average daily expenditure allocated for the research and development activities under this contract. It's important to note that this is an average, and actual spending may fluctuate significantly on a day-to-day or month-to-month basis depending on the intensity of research activities, personnel deployment, and material procurement phases.
What does the NAICS code 541715 signify in the context of this contract?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 designates 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)'. In the context of the SMART EPANTS contract, this code indicates that the research and development activities undertaken by Leidos, Inc. fall under the umbrella of advanced physical and engineering sciences. This classification suggests the project involves complex scientific inquiry and experimentation aimed at creating new knowledge or products in areas like materials science, electrical engineering, and systems integration, excluding highly specialized fields like nanotechnology or biotechnology.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
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
Solicitation ID: N6600122S4705
Offers Received: 18
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc.
Address: 1750 PRESIDENTS ST, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $22,733,749
Exercised Options: $17,596,716
Current Obligation: $17,465,925
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-07-28
Current End Date: 2026-05-27
Potential End Date: 2027-05-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-10-09
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