DoD's $13.5M contract for airborne electronic attack ML support awarded to Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,481,334 ($13.5M)

Contractor: Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-09-24

End Date: 2026-09-24

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER WEAPONS DIVISION (NAWCWD) AIRBORNE ELECTRONIC ATTACK INTEGRATED PRODUCT TEAM (AEA IPT) MACHINE LEARNING SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30318

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $13.5 million to GEORGIA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH CORP for work described as: NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER WEAPONS DIVISION (NAWCWD) AIRBORNE ELECTRONIC ATTACK INTEGRATED PRODUCT TEAM (AEA IPT) MACHINE LEARNING SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized machine learning support in airborne electronic attack systems. 2. Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp. selected for its expertise in R&D for physical and engineering sciences. 3. The contract duration spans 1826 days, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. This award falls under the Research and Development category, focusing on advanced technologies. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee. 6. No small business set-aside was applied to this procurement. 7. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies and broader market engagement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $13.5 million over approximately five years suggests a significant investment in specialized R&D. Benchmarking this specific type of machine learning support for airborne electronic attack is challenging due to its niche nature. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed carefully, as it reimburses the contractor for allowable costs plus a predetermined fee. Without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar sole-source R&D contracts, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This typically occurs when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or proprietary technology essential for the requirement, or in cases of urgent need. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a broader range of proposals or potentially lower prices that could arise from a competitive bidding process. The justification for sole-source procurement would need to demonstrate why only Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp. could fulfill this specialized need.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the government does not leverage competitive pressures to drive down prices. It also limits opportunities for other qualified businesses to secure government contracts.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) and the Airborne Electronic Attack Integrated Product Team (AEA IPT), who will receive advanced machine learning support. The services delivered will enhance capabilities in airborne electronic attack, a critical area for national defense. The geographic impact is primarily within the defense sector, supporting military operations and technological advancement. Workforce implications may include specialized roles for researchers and engineers in machine learning and defense technologies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Sole-source awards can limit innovation by not engaging a wider pool of contractors.
CPFF contract type requires robust oversight to manage costs effectively.

Positive Signals

Award to Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp. suggests access to specialized, high-level expertise.
Long contract duration indicates a sustained need and potential for deep integration of ML capabilities.
Focus on R&D in a critical defense area like airborne electronic attack aligns with strategic modernization goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced physical and engineering sciences. The market for specialized machine learning support in defense applications is highly technical and often dominated by a few key research institutions and defense contractors. The total addressable market for such niche R&D services can be substantial within the defense budget, but individual contracts are often awarded on a sole-source or limited-competition basis due to the unique expertise required. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific details on the ML applications.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. The nature of specialized R&D in advanced defense technologies often involves large, established research institutions or prime contractors, which may limit direct opportunities for small businesses unless they are part of a larger team or possess highly specialized, niche capabilities sought by the prime.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract would primarily fall under the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD). Robust oversight mechanisms are crucial to monitor allowable costs, ensure the fixed fee is justified, and verify that the contractor is meeting performance milestones. Transparency may be limited due to the sole-source nature and the classified or sensitive aspects of airborne electronic attack technology. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Contracts
Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Airborne Electronic Warfare Systems
Machine Learning in Defense Applications
Naval Weapons Systems Development

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing pressure.
CPFF contract type requires diligent cost oversight.
Potential for technological obsolescence in a rapidly evolving field.
Limited transparency due to specialized R&D and sole-source nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $13.5 million to GEORGIA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH CORP. NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER WEAPONS DIVISION (NAWCWD) AIRBORNE ELECTRONIC ATTACK INTEGRATED PRODUCT TEAM (AEA IPT) MACHINE LEARNING SUPPORT

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 $13.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-24. End: 2026-09-24.

What is the specific nature of the machine learning support required for airborne electronic attack?

The provided data does not detail the specific machine learning applications. However, in the context of airborne electronic attack (AEA), machine learning could be applied to various functions. This might include enhancing threat detection and identification, optimizing electronic countermeasures (ECM) strategies in real-time, improving signal processing for better situational awareness, developing autonomous capabilities for electronic warfare platforms, or analyzing vast amounts of sensor data to predict adversary tactics. The R&D focus suggests the contract aims to develop or significantly advance these ML capabilities for future AEA systems.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The justification for a sole-source award typically rests on the unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or proprietary technology possessed by the selected contractor that cannot be reasonably obtained from other sources. For Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp. (GTARC), this could stem from their established track record in defense-related R&D, specific expertise in machine learning algorithms tailored for complex defense systems, or prior work on related projects that gives them an indispensable understanding of the AEA IPT's requirements. A formal justification document (e.g., a Justification and Approval, J&A) would normally be required to detail this rationale.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure impact cost control and value for money in this R&D context?

The CPFF structure reimburses the contractor for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. In R&D, where the scope and outcomes can be uncertain, CPFF offers flexibility. However, it places a greater burden on the government to meticulously monitor and audit costs to prevent overruns. Value for money is achieved if the unique expertise and innovation delivered by GTARC justify the costs, and if the fixed fee is reasonable. Without strong government oversight and clear performance metrics, CPFF contracts can be susceptible to cost creep, potentially diminishing value compared to fixed-price arrangements where risk is borne more by the contractor.

What is Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp.'s track record in similar defense R&D contracts?

Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp. (GTARC) is a well-established entity affiliated with the Georgia Institute of Technology, known for its extensive work in defense research and development across various domains. While specific contract details beyond this award are not provided, GTARC frequently engages in research for agencies like the Department of Defense, DARPA, and others, often in areas such as aerospace, advanced materials, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Their history likely includes numerous R&D contracts, some of which may have involved complex systems integration, simulation, and advanced technology development, aligning with the nature of this airborne electronic attack ML support requirement.

Are there comparable federal spending benchmarks for machine learning R&D in airborne electronic attack?

Direct, publicly available benchmarks for machine learning R&D specifically for airborne electronic attack (AEA) are scarce due to the specialized and often classified nature of this field. Spending in this area is typically embedded within broader R&D programs for advanced weapons systems or electronic warfare capabilities. While overall DoD R&D spending on AI and machine learning is in the billions, isolating precise figures for AEA ML support is challenging. Comparisons would likely need to be made against other sole-source or limited-competition R&D contracts awarded to research institutions or defense labs for similarly complex, cutting-edge technological development within the defense sector.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, beyond cost?

Beyond cost risks inherent in the CPFF structure and sole-source award, potential risks include technological obsolescence if the ML solutions developed do not keep pace with rapidly evolving threats or counter-technologies. There's also a risk of insufficient knowledge transfer if the expertise remains solely with GTARC, potentially limiting future internal government capabilities. Performance risk exists if the contractor fails to deliver the expected advancements or if the ML models prove unreliable in real-world operational scenarios. Finally, a lack of broader competition could stifle innovation in the long run by not encouraging diverse approaches from the market.

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: $30,324,393

Exercised Options: $13,481,334

Current Obligation: $13,481,334

Actual Outlays: $24,084

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $5,596,431

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