DoD Awards $12.7M for Multispectral Terrain Signature Models, Research & Development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,684,919 ($12.7M)
Contractor: Torch Technologies Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-04-30
End Date: 2027-03-02
Contract Duration: 2,497 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/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: SBIR PH III TORCH TECHNOLOGIES LLC RAPID SCENE CREATION FOR MULTISPECTRAL TERRAIN SIGNATURE MODELS AND SIMULATIONS
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35802
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $12.7 million to TORCH TECHNOLOGIES INC for work described as: SBIR PH III TORCH TECHNOLOGIES LLC RAPID SCENE CREATION FOR MULTISPECTRAL TERRAIN SIGNATURE MODELS AND SIMULATIONS Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced simulation technology for defense. 2. Competition method suggests potential for price discovery, but details are limited. 3. Focus on R&D in a critical defense sector. 4. Contract duration extends over multiple years, indicating long-term project needs.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $12.7M for a 2497-day duration appears reasonable for specialized R&D. However, without specific deliverables or benchmarks for similar multispectral modeling contracts, a precise value assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a prior limited competition or exclusion. This method may limit price discovery compared to unrestricted full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed towards advanced research and development, aiming to enhance defense capabilities through improved simulation models.
Public Impact
Enhances military's ability to simulate and understand terrain signatures. Supports technological advancement in defense research and development. Potential for improved training and operational planning through realistic simulations. Investment in a specialized scientific field with potential dual-use applications.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition details
- Lack of specific performance metrics for value assessment
Positive Signals
- Focus on critical defense R&D
- Long-term project duration
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority in defense, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Torch Technologies Inc., a large business. There is no indication of small business participation or subcontracting in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is a definitive contract awarded by the Department of the Army. Oversight would typically involve program management reviews and adherence to cost-plus-fixed-fee contract terms to ensure accountability.
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
- Limited competition raises concerns about price optimization.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
- Contract duration is lengthy, increasing exposure to potential cost overruns.
- No clear indication of small business involvement.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, al, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $12.7 million to TORCH TECHNOLOGIES INC. SBIR PH III TORCH TECHNOLOGIES LLC RAPID SCENE CREATION FOR MULTISPECTRAL TERRAIN SIGNATURE MODELS AND SIMULATIONS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TORCH TECHNOLOGIES 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 $12.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-04-30. End: 2027-03-02.
What specific advancements in multispectral terrain signature modeling does this contract aim to achieve, and how will these advancements be measured?
The contract aims to develop rapid scene creation capabilities for multispectral terrain signature models and simulations. Measurable advancements would likely include increased accuracy, speed of generation, and fidelity of the simulated signatures compared to existing methods. Specific metrics would be detailed in the contract's statement of work, focusing on the technical performance and capabilities of the developed models.
Given the 'exclusion of sources' clause, what was the justification for limiting the initial competition, and how does this impact the overall risk of overpaying?
The justification for excluding sources is not provided but often relates to specific technical expertise, prior work, or unique capabilities required. This limitation inherently increases the risk of overpaying as the pool of potential bidders is smaller, potentially reducing competitive pressure on pricing. Robust cost analysis and negotiation by the contracting officer are crucial to mitigate this risk.
How will the effectiveness of these terrain signature models and simulations be validated to ensure they meet the Department of Defense's operational needs?
Effectiveness validation will likely involve rigorous testing and comparison against real-world multispectral data and scenarios. The Department of Defense will probably conduct independent verification and validation (IV&V) processes, potentially including field tests or simulations using actual military equipment. Feedback from end-users and operational units will be critical in assessing the practical utility and accuracy of the developed models.
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 › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
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: 4090 MEMORIAL PKWY S, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35802
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $12,684,919
Exercised Options: $12,684,919
Current Obligation: $12,684,919
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 12
Total Subaward Amount: $200,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-04-30
Current End Date: 2027-03-02
Potential End Date: 2027-03-02 12:03:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-12
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