DoD's $179M Flight Vehicle R&D Contract Awarded to Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $179,447,209 ($179.4M)
Contractor: Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-10-01
End Date: 2028-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $163.9K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF FLIGHT VEHICLES
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35805
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $179.4 million to INTUITIVE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION for work described as: DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF FLIGHT VEHICLES Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced flight vehicle design and production. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Contract duration of 3 years suggests a substantial, ongoing project. 4. Focus on R&D in physical and engineering sciences indicates innovation.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for flight vehicles is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The 'NOT COMPETED' status indicates a sole-source award, which limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers. The rationale for not competing the contract needs further scrutiny.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in a higher overall cost to taxpayers compared to a competitively awarded contract.
Public Impact
Advancement in aerospace technology could lead to future defense capabilities. Potential for job creation in Alabama's aerospace sector. Taxpayer funds are directed towards cutting-edge research and development.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Potential for cost overruns
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D
- Potential for technological advancement
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences. Defense R&D spending is a significant portion of the federal budget, with contracts like this aiming to maintain technological superiority.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation, a company that may or may not be a small business. Further analysis is needed to determine the impact on small business participation and subcontracting opportunities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure that the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure does not lead to excessive spending and that the project meets its R&D objectives within the allocated budget.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Logistics Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Potential for cost overruns due to R&D complexity.
- Lack of transparency in pricing justification.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, al, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $179.4 million to INTUITIVE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF FLIGHT VEHICLES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INTUITIVE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Logistics Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $179.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2028-09-30.
What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. Without detailed documentation, it's difficult to assess if fair and reasonable pricing was achieved. The Defense Logistics Agency should provide a clear rationale and evidence of price negotiation to assure taxpayers.
How will the performance and cost-effectiveness of Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation be monitored throughout the contract duration?
Effective monitoring requires clear performance metrics, regular progress reports, and independent technical reviews. The contracting officer must ensure robust oversight mechanisms are in place to track milestones, manage risks, and control costs, especially given the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure.
What are the expected technological advancements or deliverables from this $179 million investment in flight vehicle R&D?
The expected advancements should align with strategic defense goals, potentially including enhanced maneuverability, reduced radar signature, or improved fuel efficiency for future flight vehicles. Specific deliverables should be clearly defined in the contract to measure success and justify the investment.
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: GUIDED MISSLES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: SPRRA225R0111
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 5030 BRADFORD DR NW STE 205 BLDG 2, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35805
Business Categories: Category Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $179,447,209
Exercised Options: $179,447,209
Current Obligation: $179,447,209
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-10-01
Current End Date: 2028-09-30
Potential End Date: 2028-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-31
More Contracts from Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation
- Technical Support for Prototype Integration Facility — $350.2M (Department of Defense)
- Professional Services — $272.1M (Department of Defense)
- Technical Engineering Support for the Ccdc, Aviation and Missile Center (avmc), Software, Simulation, Systems Engineering, and Integration (S3I) Directorate. This Task Order Provides Support to the Software Mission Assurance Associate Area — $246.6M (Department of Defense)
- Base Award — $221.8M (Department of Defense)
- Base Option - Technical Service — $212.4M (Department of Defense)
View all Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation federal contracts →
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)