DoD Awards $3M for ANTS HB2.2 Chassis Prototype Builds to NOBLIS MSD LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,045,877 ($3.0M)
Contractor: Noblis MSD LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-04-18
End Date: 2026-05-01
Contract Duration: 743 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: ANTS HB2.2 CHASSIS PROTOTYPE BUILDS
Place of Performance
Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92152
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $3.0 million to NOBLIS MSD LLC for work described as: ANTS HB2.2 CHASSIS PROTOTYPE BUILDS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for prototype development of ANTS HB2.2 chassis. 2. NOBLIS MSD LLC is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is for engineering services, specifically in the defense sector. 4. The award value is approximately $3.05 million.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), which can lead to higher costs if not managed effectively. Benchmarking CPAF contracts for similar engineering services is challenging due to performance-based fee structures.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific award mechanism (Delivery Order) implies it might be against a larger indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, which could limit the number of actual bidders.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer impact is moderate, with funds allocated for critical defense prototyping. The CPAF structure necessitates careful oversight to ensure cost efficiency.
Public Impact
Development of advanced military hardware prototypes. Potential for future production contracts based on prototype success. Supports innovation within the Department of Defense. Impacts the defense industrial base and associated supply chains.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Prototype builds may not translate to successful production.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical defense technology development.
- Clear end date for the contract period.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting the Department of the Navy's defense initiatives. Spending benchmarks for prototype development can vary widely based on complexity and technology readiness levels.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial for the Cost Plus Award Fee structure to ensure that award fees are tied to demonstrable performance and that costs remain within reasonable bounds for prototype development.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPAF structure.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics in public data.
- Prototype success is not guaranteed.
- Limited visibility into subcontractor participation.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, ca, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $3.0 million to NOBLIS MSD LLC. ANTS HB2.2 CHASSIS PROTOTYPE BUILDS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NOBLIS MSD 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 $3.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-04-18. End: 2026-05-01.
What are the key performance metrics tied to the award fee structure for this contract?
The provided data does not specify the key performance metrics linked to the award fee. A Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract typically includes performance objectives related to technical achievement, schedule adherence, and cost control. Detailed information on these metrics would be found in the contract's statement of work and award fee plan.
What is the risk associated with the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type for prototype development?
The primary risk with CPAF for prototypes is that it can incentivize higher costs if the award fee criteria are not strictly defined and rigorously monitored. While it aims to reward performance, it can lead to less cost certainty compared to fixed-price contracts. Effective oversight is essential to mitigate this risk.
How does the success of this prototype build impact future defense spending or acquisition?
The success of the ANTS HB2.2 chassis prototype is critical. If the prototype meets or exceeds performance requirements, it could lead to significant follow-on production contracts, influencing future defense budgets and acquisition strategies. Conversely, failure could result in redesign efforts or the exploration of alternative solutions, impacting timelines and costs.
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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: N6600121R0041
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: ONE CRESCENT DR STE 400, PHILADELPHIA, PA, 19112
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,045,877
Exercised Options: $3,045,877
Current Obligation: $3,045,877
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 14
Total Subaward Amount: $1,753,340
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N6600121D0153
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-04-18
Current End Date: 2026-05-01
Potential End Date: 2026-05-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-13
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