DoD's Navy Awards $19.7M Contract to Altus Technical Solutions for Weapons Survivability Lab Engineering Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,712,240 ($19.7M)
Contractor: Altus Technical Solutions LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-07-10
End Date: 2025-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,908 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: WEAPONS SURVIVABILITY LABORATORY (WSL)
Place of Performance
Location: RIDGECREST, KERN County, CALIFORNIA, 93555
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $19.7 million to ALTUS TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: WEAPONS SURVIVABILITY LABORATORY (WSL) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Altus Technical Solutions LLC for engineering services. 2. The contract falls under the Engineering Services sector, NAICS 541330. 3. Full and open competition was utilized for this award. 4. The contract has a duration of 1908 days, ending September 30, 2025. 5. This award is a delivery order under a larger contract.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's total value is $19.7 million. Without specific benchmarks for similar engineering services contracts for weapons survivability, a precise per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the duration and scope suggest a reasonable allocation of funds for specialized R&D support.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust process for soliciting bids and ensuring fair market pricing. This method generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to secure the best value for taxpayers by encouraging broad participation and competitive pricing.
Public Impact
Supports critical Department of Defense research and development for weapons systems. Ensures advanced engineering services are available for national security initiatives. The contract's duration suggests a long-term need for these specialized services. Potential for follow-on work or similar contracts in the defense sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in cost-plus contracts.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical services.
- Scope creep could increase the final cost.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports vital national security functions.
- Long-term contract provides stability for services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting defense-related research and development. Spending in this sector is substantial, driven by national security needs and technological advancements. Benchmarks for similar specialized engineering services can vary widely based on complexity and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses were likely not the primary focus of this specific award, though they may participate as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it is part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. Oversight would typically involve monitoring performance, costs, and adherence to the contract terms by the contracting officer and relevant government agencies.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Long contract duration.
- Not set aside for small businesses.
- Specific details of WSL's mission are not provided.
- Potential for scope creep.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, ca, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $19.7 million to ALTUS TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS LLC. WEAPONS SURVIVABILITY LABORATORY (WSL)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ALTUS TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS 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 $19.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-07-10. End: 2025-09-30.
What is the specific nature of the 'Weapons Survivability Laboratory' and its importance to national defense?
The Weapons Survivability Laboratory (WSL) is crucial for testing and evaluating the resilience of military hardware against various threats. Its work directly informs the design and improvement of weapons systems, ensuring they can withstand enemy attacks and perform effectively in combat. This contributes significantly to maintaining a technological edge and protecting service members.
How will the 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' pricing structure impact the final cost and taxpayer exposure?
A Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract covers allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. While the fee is fixed, the total cost can fluctuate based on actual expenses. This structure incentivizes the contractor to control costs to maximize their profit margin, but taxpayers bear the risk of cost overruns if expenses exceed initial estimates.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the effectiveness of Altus Technical Solutions' engineering services?
Effectiveness is likely measured by adherence to technical specifications, timely delivery of milestones, quality of engineering reports and designs, and successful outcomes in survivability testing. The Department of the Navy would monitor these KPIs to ensure the services meet the WSL's critical requirements and contribute to the overall effectiveness of defense systems.
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: N6893619R3501
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7250 PARKWAY DR STE 410, HANOVER, MD, 21076
Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $40,835,910
Exercised Options: $39,557,219
Current Obligation: $19,712,240
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0017819D7102
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-07-10
Current End Date: 2025-09-30
Potential End Date: 2025-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-15
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