DARPA awarded $10.7M for R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences to Archangel Systems Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,679,923 ($10.7M)

Contractor: Archangel Systems Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-10-18

End Date: 2011-10-30

Contract Duration: 2,203 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: DARPA BAA

Place of Performance

Location: AUBURN, LEE County, ALABAMA, 36832

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $10.7 million to ARCHANGEL SYSTEMS INC for work described as: DARPA BAA Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development, indicating investment in innovation. 2. Archangel Systems Inc. is the sole contractor, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract duration of 2203 days suggests a long-term research project. 4. Awarded by the Department of the Army, aligning with defense-related R&D. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns. 6. The contract was competed after exclusion of sources, suggesting limited initial competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables or comparable projects. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, while common for R&D, carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not tightly managed. The fixed fee component provides some cost certainty for the contractor's profit, but the overall cost to the government can fluctuate significantly based on actual expenses incurred during the research period.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while an initial broad solicitation may have occurred, specific sources were later excluded, leading to a limited competition among a select group. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'exclusion of sources' suggests a departure from truly open competition, potentially limiting the range of innovative approaches and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may have resulted in a higher price for taxpayers than if the contract had been fully and openly competed among all interested parties.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense and potentially the advancement of scientific knowledge in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The services delivered are research and development, contributing to future technological capabilities. The geographic impact is primarily associated with the contractor's location in Alabama (AL). Workforce implications include employment for researchers, scientists, and support staff at Archangel Systems Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition could lead to suboptimal pricing.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can be susceptible to cost overruns.
Lack of transparency in source exclusion could mask potential issues.

Positive Signals

Awarded by DARPA, suggesting a focus on cutting-edge research.
Long contract duration indicates a significant and potentially impactful research effort.
Research and Development contracts are crucial for technological advancement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541710. This sector is characterized by innovation and the pursuit of new knowledge. Spending in this area by government agencies like DARPA is critical for maintaining technological superiority and addressing future challenges. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other R&D contracts awarded by defense agencies for similar scientific disciplines.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. The nature of advanced R&D contracts often involves specialized expertise that may not always align with typical small business capabilities or set-aside goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Department of the Army contracting and program officials. Transparency is dependent on the public availability of contract details and performance reports. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

DARPA Research Programs
Department of Defense R&D Contracts
Advanced Technology Development

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries cost overrun risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $10.7 million to ARCHANGEL SYSTEMS INC. DARPA BAA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARCHANGEL SYSTEMS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-10-18. End: 2011-10-30.

What specific research areas were covered under this DARPA BAA?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541710, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.' While the specific sub-disciplines or research topics are not detailed in the summary data, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) typically funds high-risk, high-reward research projects aimed at creating breakthrough technologies for national security. These could range from advanced materials and robotics to artificial intelligence, quantum computing, or novel sensor technologies, depending on DARPA's strategic priorities at the time of the award.

What is the significance of the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' contract type?

This contract type signifies a departure from a standard 'full and open competition.' Initially, the solicitation might have been broadly advertised, but subsequently, certain potential offerors were excluded from the bidding process. This exclusion could be based on various factors, such as specific technical capabilities, security clearances, or pre-existing relationships or partnerships deemed necessary for the project. While it aims to ensure qualified bidders, it inherently limits the competitive landscape compared to a truly open solicitation, potentially impacting price discovery and the diversity of innovative solutions considered.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type typically perform in R&D settings?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are common for research and development where the scope of work can be uncertain and costs are difficult to estimate precisely beforehand. In this structure, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs incurred plus a predetermined fixed fee, which represents their profit. While it allows flexibility for R&D, it carries a risk for the government: if costs escalate beyond initial estimates, the total expenditure increases. Effective oversight and cost controls are crucial to mitigate potential cost overruns and ensure value for money. The fixed fee provides a ceiling on profit, but not on total project cost.

What is the typical track record of Archangel Systems Inc. with federal contracts?

Based on the provided data, Archangel Systems Inc. received this specific contract from the Department of the Army, managed under DARPA. Without access to a broader contract database or performance history, it's difficult to assess their overall track record. However, being awarded a contract by DARPA suggests a level of technical capability and innovation that meets DARPA's stringent requirements for advanced research projects. Further investigation into their past performance ratings, other federal awards, and any reported issues would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment.

How does this contract's duration (2203 days) compare to typical R&D contracts?

A duration of 2203 days, approximately 6 years, is substantial for a research and development contract. While R&D projects can vary widely, this extended period suggests a complex, long-term endeavor requiring sustained effort and potentially multiple phases of research and development. Many R&D contracts might range from 1 to 5 years, so a 6-year duration indicates a significant commitment to achieving specific, potentially groundbreaking, research objectives. This longer timeframe allows for deeper exploration and development but also necessitates robust program management to ensure progress and accountability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1635 PUMPHREY AVE, AUBURN, AL, 03

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,058,888

Exercised Options: $10,679,923

Current Obligation: $10,679,923

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline