DoD Awards $47.3M R&D Contract to Georgia Tech for National Security Systems Engineering
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $41,119,193 ($41.1M)
Contractor: Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-12-20
End Date: 2024-04-30
Contract Duration: 1,958 days
Daily Burn Rate: $21.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THIS IS A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) - SERVICE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND ANALYSIS. THE TOTAL TASK ORDER AMOUNT IS $47,259,313.17 WITH A PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE THROUGH 30 AUGUST 2023. THIS TASK ORDER WILL BE INCREMENTALLY FUNDED. THE INITIAL INCREMENT OF FUNDING IS $629,000.00 WITH A PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE THROUGH 06 SEPTEMBER 2019.
Place of Performance
Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30318
State: Georgia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $41.1 million to GEORGIA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH CORP for work described as: THIS IS A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) - SERVICE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND ANALYSIS. THE TOTAL TASK ORDER AMOUNT IS $47,259,313.17 WITH A PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE THROUGH 30 AUGUST 2023. THIS TASK ORDER WILL BE INCREMENTALLY FUNDED. THE INITIAL INCREMENT OF F… Key points: 1. The contract focuses on R&D for national security systems engineering and analysis. 2. Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp is the sole awardee. 3. The total value is $47.3 million, with an initial increment of $629,000. 4. The period of performance extends through August 2024.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns for similar R&D services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about whether taxpayers received the best possible value for this significant R&D investment.
Public Impact
National security implications of the R&D work. Potential for technological advancements benefiting defense capabilities. The significant investment in a single entity for critical research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
- Long performance period without clear milestones for incremental funding.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institution (Georgia Tech).
- Focus on critical national security R&D.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Federal R&D spending is crucial for innovation, but sole-source awards in this sector warrant scrutiny to ensure value and prevent potential cost inflation.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp and does not indicate any subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The sole-source nature further limits potential small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award requires robust oversight from the Department of the Army to ensure the R&D objectives are met efficiently and effectively, and that costs are justified.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Potential for cost overruns.
- Limited transparency on specific R&D deliverables.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ga, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $41.1 million to GEORGIA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH CORP. THIS IS A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) - SERVICE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND ANALYSIS. THE TOTAL TASK ORDER AMOUNT IS $47,259,313.17 WITH A PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE THROUGH 30 AUGUST 2023. THIS TASK ORDER WILL BE INCREMENTALLY FUNDED. THE INITIAL INCREMENT OF FUNDING IS $629,000.00 WITH A PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE THROUGH 06 SEPTEMBER 2019.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GEORGIA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH CORP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $41.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-12-20. End: 2024-04-30.
What specific national security systems engineering and analysis capabilities does Georgia Tech provide under this contract, and how do these align with current DoD priorities?
The contract details are limited, but it likely involves advanced research in areas such as systems integration, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence applications for defense, and complex modeling for national security platforms. Alignment with DoD priorities would be assessed through the specific research objectives and deliverables outlined in the SOW, which are not publicly detailed here.
Given the sole-source award and Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, what mechanisms are in place to ensure cost control and prevent potential overruns?
Robust oversight by the contracting officer and technical team is essential. This includes detailed review of incurred costs, justification for fixed fees, monitoring of progress against research milestones, and potentially establishing ceilings or target costs for specific research phases to maintain financial discipline.
How will the effectiveness and impact of the R&D conducted under this contract be measured and evaluated to ensure taxpayer value?
Effectiveness will be measured by the successful completion of research objectives and the delivery of tangible R&D outcomes, such as prototypes, analyses, or new methodologies. Impact will be assessed by how these outcomes contribute to enhanced national security capabilities, inform future defense acquisitions, or lead to technological breakthroughs.
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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 505 10TH ST, ATLANTA, GA, 30318
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public)
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $47,371,657
Exercised Options: $41,119,193
Current Obligation: $41,119,193
Actual Outlays: $4,383,761
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $986,936
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W31P4Q18D0002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-12-20
Current End Date: 2024-04-30
Potential End Date: 2024-04-30 12:04:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-15
More Contracts from Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp
- Electronic Warfare Research, Analysis, and Testing — $102.5M (Department of Defense)
- ALQ 161A DSU Band 8 Reactivation — $99.7M (Department of Defense)
- Task Order W31p4q-21-F-0285 (S3I Control Number 292-1A) IS Issued in Accordance With Section H-14, Ordering Procedures of the Basic Contract, for the (PWS) Entitled, " Advanced Avionics Research & Systems Engineering for Army Aviation Platforms" — $91.9M (Department of Defense)
- Rdt&e Services to Provide Analysis, Research, and Engineering Support of Aviation Electronic Warfare — $91.3M (Department of Defense)
- ALQ-161 Band 8 Reactivation — $86.3M (Department of Defense)
View all Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp 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)