DoD awards $13M for Radar SME Support to Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp under STARE Project

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,962,373 ($13.0M)

Contractor: Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-09-18

End Date: 2027-01-29

Contract Duration: 1,229 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TASK ORDER FOR PERFORMANCE OF THE PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT ENTITLED, "SEARCH TRACK ACQUIRE RADIATE ELIMINATE (STARE) PROJECT OFFICE: RADAR SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE SUPPORT"

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30318

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $13.0 million to GEORGIA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH CORP for work described as: TASK ORDER FOR PERFORMANCE OF THE PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT ENTITLED, "SEARCH TRACK ACQUIRE RADIATE ELIMINATE (STARE) PROJECT OFFICE: RADAR SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE SUPPORT" Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp for specialized radar expertise. 2. The contract falls under R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 3. This is a sole-source award, raising questions about competition and price discovery. 4. The duration is over three years, indicating a significant, ongoing need.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.

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 for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if the contract had been competed.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the sole-source nature of this award. The specific expertise required for radar subject matter may justify a sole-source award, but this needs verification. The long duration suggests a critical and sustained need for these specialized services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can be prone to cost overruns.
Lack of transparency in pricing due to sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable research institution.
Addresses a critical need for specialized expertise in radar technology.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under NAICS code 541715, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is often characterized by specialized expertise and long-term projects.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp, is not a small business. There is no indication that small businesses were subcontracted for this effort.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Army awarded this contract. Oversight will be crucial to ensure cost control and effective delivery of services, especially given the sole-source nature.

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

Sole-source award
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
Potential for cost overruns
Lack of small business participation noted

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $13.0 million to GEORGIA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH CORP. TASK ORDER FOR PERFORMANCE OF THE PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT ENTITLED, "SEARCH TRACK ACQUIRE RADIATE ELIMINATE (STARE) PROJECT OFFICE: RADAR SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE 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 $13.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-18. End: 2027-01-29.

What specific factors justified the sole-source award for this radar subject matter expertise?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, critical urgency, or a lack of available sources. For specialized R&D like radar subject matter expertise, it's possible that Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp possesses unique intellectual property, highly specialized personnel, or has a pre-existing relationship and deep understanding of the STARE project that makes competition impractical or detrimental to the project's continuity and success.

How will the Department of Defense ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent potential overruns with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract awarded sole-source?

To mitigate risks with a sole-source CPFF contract, the Department of Defense should implement rigorous oversight. This includes detailed monitoring of labor hours, direct costs, and indirect expenses. Establishing clear performance metrics and milestones, conducting regular audits, and requiring detailed justification for any cost increases are essential. Strong contract management and communication with the contractor are key to ensuring value and controlling costs.

What is the long-term strategic value of this radar expertise support to the STARE project and the Department of Defense?

The long-term strategic value lies in maintaining and advancing critical radar capabilities essential for national security. The STARE project likely supports advanced surveillance, targeting, or intelligence gathering. Sustained, high-level subject matter expertise ensures the project remains at the forefront of technological development, adapts to evolving threats, and effectively integrates complex radar systems, ultimately enhancing the DoD's operational effectiveness and technological superiority.

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: $50,427,675

Exercised Options: $12,962,373

Current Obligation: $12,962,373

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