DoD Awards $28M for EI2 Cameras and Depot Services to Intevac Photonics Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,055,018 ($28.1M)

Contractor: Intevac Photonics Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2013-06-11

End Date: 2016-03-30

Contract Duration: 1,023 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: LOT 2 AND 3 FOR EI2 CAMERAS, LAY IN MATERIAL AND DEPOT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SANTA CLARA, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 95054

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.1 million to INTEVAC PHOTONICS INC for work described as: LOT 2 AND 3 FOR EI2 CAMERAS, LAY IN MATERIAL AND DEPOT SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant award for specialized camera systems and related materials. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about price discovery and competition. 3. Long contract duration (1023 days) may indicate complex requirements. 4. Focus on Aircraft Manufacturing sector suggests defense-related application.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $28M for EI2 cameras and depot services lacks direct comparable benchmarks without further detail on the specific camera technology and service scope. The absence of competition makes a precise pricing assessment difficult.

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 as there was no market pressure to offer competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these specialized camera systems and services.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the lack of competitive bidding. The specific application of these cameras within Aircraft Manufacturing is unclear to the public. Dependence on a single supplier for critical components could pose a supply chain risk.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competition
  • Long contract duration

Positive Signals

  • Specific technology acquisition
  • Potential for specialized capabilities

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Aircraft Manufacturing sector, specifically NAICS code 336411. Spending in this sector is often characterized by high R&D costs, long production cycles, and significant government oversight due to national security implications.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the prime contractor is likely a large business, and there's no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential waste. Accountability would involve reviewing the justification for the sole-source award and monitoring contract performance and costs.

Related Government Programs

  • Aircraft Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award lacks transparency.
  • Potential for inflated pricing due to no competition.
  • Long-term supply chain risk.
  • No small business participation noted.
  • Limited public information on specific technology.

Tags

aircraft-manufacturing, department-of-defense, ca, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.1 million to INTEVAC PHOTONICS INC. LOT 2 AND 3 FOR EI2 CAMERAS, LAY IN MATERIAL AND DEPOT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTEVAC PHOTONICS 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 $28.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-06-11. End: 2016-03-30.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative solutions explored?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one source can fulfill the requirement. Without specific documentation, it's impossible to confirm if alternatives were explored, but a thorough review would be necessary to validate the necessity of a sole-source approach and ensure taxpayer value.

How does the unit cost of these EI2 cameras compare to similar systems in the market, considering the lack of competition?

Directly comparing the unit cost is challenging due to the sole-source nature and lack of publicly available pricing details for comparable systems. A comprehensive analysis would require access to the contractor's cost breakdown and market research data used to establish the 'fair and reasonable' price, if any was conducted.

What are the long-term implications of relying on a single supplier for these critical aircraft manufacturing components?

Long-term reliance on a single supplier can create significant supply chain risks, including potential price increases, production delays if the supplier faces issues, and limited options for upgrades or replacements. It also reduces leverage for the government in future negotiations and could stifle innovation if the supplier does not face competitive pressure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingAircraft Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W58RGZ12R0494

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Intevac, Inc. (UEI: 622670529)

Address: 3560 BASSETT ST, SANTA CLARA, CA, 95054

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,055,018

Exercised Options: $28,055,018

Current Obligation: $28,055,018

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2013-06-11

Current End Date: 2016-03-30

Potential End Date: 2016-03-30 12:03:00

Last Modified: 2017-05-10

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