DoD's $34.7M Antenna Engineering Contract Awarded to Research and Development Solutions, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,680,364 ($34.7M)

Contractor: Research and Development Solutions, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-02-25

End Date: 2026-03-14

Contract Duration: 1,478 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ANTENNA ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES INCLUDING DESIGN, BUILD, TEST, REPAIR, MAINTAIN, AND SUPPORT ANTENNA SYSTEMS FOR CODE 34.

Place of Performance

Location: NEWPORT, NEWPORT County, RHODE ISLAND, 02841

State: Rhode Island Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $34.7 million to RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS, INCORPORATED for work described as: ANTENNA ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES INCLUDING DESIGN, BUILD, TEST, REPAIR, MAINTAIN, AND SUPPORT ANTENNA SYSTEMS FOR CODE 34. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on comprehensive antenna system lifecycle support, from design to maintenance. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these specialized services. 3. The contract duration of nearly 5 years indicates a long-term need for antenna engineering expertise. 4. Performance is situated in Rhode Island, potentially impacting the local technical workforce. 5. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility but requires careful oversight of costs. 6. This contract falls within the broader Research and Development sector for the Department of Defense.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $34.7 million over approximately 5 years suggests a significant investment in specialized engineering services. Benchmarking this against similar R&D contracts for complex systems is challenging without more granular data on the specific technical requirements. However, the fixed-fee component provides some cost control. The number of bids received (2) is on the lower side for full and open competition, which could warrant further investigation into pricing competitiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The solicitation resulted in two bids, which is a moderate level of competition. While two bidders suggest some market interest, it is not as robust as typically seen in highly competitive procurements. This level of competition may have influenced the final pricing, potentially leading to a less aggressive price than if more bidders had participated.

Taxpayer Impact: A moderate level of competition means taxpayers likely received a reasonable price, but there may be room for further cost savings if more vendors had been incentivized to bid. The government secured specialized services, but the potential for even greater value through enhanced competition exists.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from specialized technical services for critical antenna systems. This contract supports the design, build, testing, repair, maintenance, and support of antenna systems. The primary geographic impact is in Rhode Island, where the contractor is located and services will likely be performed. The contract may have implications for a specialized technical workforce in the engineering and R&D sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition (2 bidders) could indicate potential for higher pricing than a more robustly competed contract.
Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts require diligent oversight to manage costs effectively and prevent overruns.
The specific technical requirements are not detailed, making it difficult to assess the true value-for-money without further context.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, ensuring a broad search for qualified vendors.
The contract addresses a long-term need for critical antenna system support, indicating strategic importance.
The fixed-fee component provides a degree of cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a critical component of the broader Research and Development (R&D) market. The R&D sector is vital for defense innovation, encompassing a wide range of activities from basic research to applied engineering. Spending in this area is often characterized by specialized expertise and long development cycles. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large, complex engineering support contracts for defense systems, which can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars depending on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, as indicated by 'sb: false'. Furthermore, the contractor, Research and Development Solutions, Incorporated, is likely a large business given the contract value. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. This suggests that the primary focus is on securing specialized capabilities from a prime contractor, with potential limited direct impact on the small business ecosystem unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Navy contracting officers and program managers. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates robust financial oversight to ensure that costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract. Transparency will depend on the reporting requirements stipulated in the contract and the agency's commitment to public disclosure. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Research and Development
Engineering and Technical Services
Antenna Systems Development
Naval Systems Support
Research and Development Solutions, Incorporated Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Structure
Potential for Cost Overruns
Long-Term Contract Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $34.7 million to RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS, INCORPORATED. ANTENNA ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES INCLUDING DESIGN, BUILD, TEST, REPAIR, MAINTAIN, AND SUPPORT ANTENNA SYSTEMS FOR CODE 34.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS, INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $34.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-02-25. End: 2026-03-14.

What is the track record of Research and Development Solutions, Incorporated with the Department of Defense?

Information regarding the specific track record of Research and Development Solutions, Incorporated with the Department of Defense is not detailed in the provided data. However, the award of a significant contract valued at $34.7 million suggests a level of capability and past performance that met the DoD's requirements. To fully assess their track record, one would need to examine their contract history, including past performance evaluations, any past disputes or terminations, and their experience with similar types of antenna engineering services. Government contract databases and past performance reviews would be the primary sources for this information.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar antenna engineering services?

Direct comparison of pricing for this $34.7 million contract is difficult without specific details on the technical scope and labor categories involved. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which means the government pays the contractor's actual costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. Benchmarking CPFF contracts requires analyzing the 'cost' component against industry standards for similar labor hours, skill sets, and project complexity. The fact that only two bids were received in a full and open competition might suggest that the pricing, while competitive between the two, may not reflect the lowest possible price achievable with broader market participation. Further analysis would require access to detailed cost breakdowns and market research data.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential cost overruns due to the CPFF structure, which requires diligent oversight. A secondary risk is the limited competition (two bidders), which could impact price competitiveness and potentially limit innovation if the market is not fully engaged. Technical risks related to the complexity of antenna design, testing, and maintenance are inherent in R&D contracts and depend heavily on the contractor's expertise and the specific system requirements. Finally, ensuring the long-term sustainment and obsolescence management of the antenna systems over the contract's nearly five-year duration presents a programmatic risk.

How effective is the Department of Defense in procuring specialized R&D services like antenna engineering?

The effectiveness of the DoD in procuring specialized R&D services like antenna engineering can be assessed through several lenses. The award of this contract under full and open competition suggests a structured procurement process aimed at finding qualified vendors. The duration of the contract (nearly 5 years) indicates a strategic approach to securing long-term support for critical capabilities. However, the limited number of bidders (two) raises questions about the market's responsiveness or the complexity of the solicitation, which could potentially limit price discovery. The CPFF contract type, while flexible, necessitates strong government oversight to ensure value for money. Overall effectiveness is a mixed picture, with a structured process but potential areas for improvement in maximizing competition.

What are the historical spending patterns for antenna engineering services within the Department of Defense?

Historical spending patterns for antenna engineering services within the Department of Defense are not detailed in the provided data. However, it is reasonable to infer that the DoD consistently invests in antenna technology due to its critical role in communication, radar, and electronic warfare systems across various branches, particularly the Navy. Such spending typically fluctuates based on modernization programs, new platform development, and sustainment requirements. Analyzing historical data would involve looking at aggregate spending on related NAICS codes (like 541330 - Engineering Services) and specific contract vehicles related to antenna systems over multiple fiscal years to identify trends and major investment areas.

What is the significance of the 'Delivery Order' (aw) type for this contract?

The 'Delivery Order' (aw) designation typically applies to indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts or similar multiple-award vehicles. However, in this context, it might refer to a specific task order issued against a larger contract or a base contract with defined delivery schedules. Given the contract details provided (specific award date, end date, total value), it suggests this is a standalone contract award rather than a call against a broader IDIQ. If it were part of a larger IDIQ, the 'Delivery Order' would signify a specific request for goods or services under that umbrella agreement, with its own timeline and specifications. Without more context on the overarching contract structure, its precise significance is limited to indicating a specific instance of service provision.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N6660420R3015

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7921 JONES BR DR STE 275, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $40,383,529

Exercised Options: $36,034,319

Current Obligation: $34,680,364

Actual Outlays: $210,541

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017819D8411

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline