DoD's CACI Technologies awarded $38.5M for sensor engineering and modeling, highlighting R&D in physical sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $38,529,937 ($38.5M)
Contractor: CACI Technologies, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-08-26
End Date: 2024-08-24
Contract Duration: 1,459 days
Daily Burn Rate: $26.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NEW TASK ORDER ISSUES UNDER RESPONSIVE STRATEGIC SOURCING FOR SERVICES (RS3) CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SUPPORT AND MODELING AND SIMULATION OF SENSORS APPLICATIONS FOR SENSOR SYSTEMS AND FORCE PROTECTION
Place of Performance
Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $38.5 million to CACI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: NEW TASK ORDER ISSUES UNDER RESPONSIVE STRATEGIC SOURCING FOR SERVICES (RS3) CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SUPPORT AND MODELING AND SIMULATION OF SENSORS APPLICATIONS FOR SENSOR SYSTEMS AND FORCE PROTECTION Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced engineering and simulation for sensor systems, crucial for defense modernization. 2. The award falls under the RS3 contract vehicle, suggesting a strategic sourcing approach for services. 3. Performance period spans over four years, indicating a need for sustained support in a complex technical area. 4. The nature of the work (modeling and simulation) suggests a focus on innovation and future capabilities. 5. This contract contributes to the Department of the Army's broader efforts in sensor technology development. 6. The specific NAICS code points to significant investment in physical and engineering research.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award amount of $38.5 million for engineering support and modeling/simulation of sensor applications appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work and the four-year performance period. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for advanced sensor technology is challenging due to the unique requirements, but the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility while maintaining cost control. The number of offers received (3) suggests some level of market interest, but a more comprehensive analysis would require comparing the proposed fixed fee and direct costs to industry standards for similar expertise.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The fact that three offers were received suggests a competitive environment, though the specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria would be needed for a complete assessment. A higher number of bidders typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive marketplace that can drive down prices and encourage innovation. The presence of multiple bidders suggests that taxpayer funds are being utilized in an environment where contractors are incentivized to offer competitive terms.
Public Impact
The Department of the Army benefits through enhanced capabilities in sensor systems and force protection. Services delivered include engineering support, modeling, and simulation for advanced sensor applications. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Defense's operational and research environments. Workforce implications include the need for highly skilled engineers and simulation specialists. This contract supports the development of next-generation defense technologies.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract if not closely monitored.
- Reliance on a single task order under a larger IDIQ could concentrate risk.
- The specialized nature of the R&D may lead to unforeseen technical challenges.
- Ensuring continued innovation and avoiding complacency within the contractor team.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under the RS3 contract vehicle, which aims for efficiency and strategic sourcing.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
- The contract duration allows for sustained development and integration of sensor technologies.
- Focus on modeling and simulation can de-risk hardware development through virtual testing.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically NAICS code 541715. This sector is characterized by high innovation and significant government investment, particularly in defense applications. The market for sensor technology and related modeling/simulation services is competitive, with a mix of large defense contractors and specialized R&D firms. The total federal spending in this R&D category is substantial, reflecting its strategic importance.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this task order. While the prime contractor is CACI Technologies, LLC, a large business, the contract does not explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist and how they might impact the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Army contracting and technical officers. The RS3 contract vehicle itself likely has established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Responsive Strategic Sourcing for Services (RS3)
- Department of the Army Research and Development Programs
- Sensor Systems Development Contracts
- Modeling and Simulation Services for Defense
Risk Flags
- Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
- Reliance on specialized R&D expertise may present technical performance risks.
- The specific application of sensor technology could have critical operational implications.
Tags
department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, research-and-development, engineering-support, modeling-and-simulation, sensor-systems, force-protection, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, caci-technologies, rs3-contract, virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $38.5 million to CACI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. NEW TASK ORDER ISSUES UNDER RESPONSIVE STRATEGIC SOURCING FOR SERVICES (RS3) CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SUPPORT AND MODELING AND SIMULATION OF SENSORS APPLICATIONS FOR SENSOR SYSTEMS AND FORCE PROTECTION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CACI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $38.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-08-26. End: 2024-08-24.
What is CACI Technologies, LLC's track record with similar Department of Defense contracts, particularly those involving R&D and sensor technology?
CACI Technologies, LLC has a significant history of performing contracts for the Department of Defense across various domains, including IT, engineering, and professional services. Their experience with R&D and sensor-related projects is extensive, often involving complex systems integration, software development, and technical support. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, including any performance ratings or past performance questionnaires, would provide insight into their capability to successfully execute this specific task order. A review of their contract history might reveal prior work on modeling and simulation for defense applications, which is directly relevant to the current award.
How does the awarded amount of $38.5 million compare to other engineering support and modeling/simulation contracts for sensor applications within the DoD?
Comparing the $38.5 million award requires context regarding the scope, duration, and complexity of the services. Contracts for advanced sensor R&D, especially those involving sophisticated modeling and simulation, can vary widely in cost. If this task order is for a four-year period, the annual value is approximately $9.6 million. Benchmarking against similar task orders under the RS3 vehicle or other large IDIQs for R&D services would be informative. Factors such as the level of technical expertise required, the specific sensor technologies involved, and the criticality of the application (e.g., force protection) will influence pricing. Without direct comparable data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents high or low value, but it falls within a range expected for specialized defense R&D.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?
Primary risks include technical challenges inherent in advanced R&D, potential cost overruns in a cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, and schedule delays. For modeling and simulation, ensuring the accuracy and fidelity of the models is critical. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management, regular technical reviews, clear performance metrics, and close collaboration between the government and CACI. The RS3 contract vehicle itself may have built-in risk mitigation processes. The government's technical team will play a crucial role in overseeing the contractor's progress and ensuring adherence to requirements.
How effective is the RS3 contract vehicle in facilitating efficient procurement of specialized engineering and R&D services like this one?
The Responsive Strategic Sourcing for Services (RS3) contract vehicle is designed to streamline the procurement of a broad range of IT and engineering services, including R&D. Its effectiveness lies in pre-competed task orders, allowing agencies to quickly issue new orders for specific needs. For specialized services like sensor engineering and modeling, RS3 aims to reduce lead times and administrative burden compared to traditional standalone procurements. The success of RS3 is often measured by its ability to attract a diverse pool of qualified contractors and deliver services efficiently. This specific award suggests that RS3 is functioning as intended for the Department of the Army in acquiring these specialized capabilities.
What is the historical spending trend for NAICS code 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) within the Department of the Army?
Historical spending data for NAICS code 541715 within the Department of the Army typically shows significant and consistent investment, reflecting the branch's reliance on technological advancement. This category encompasses a wide array of research, from fundamental scientific inquiry to applied engineering solutions. Over the past several fiscal years, spending in this area has generally trended upwards, driven by modernization efforts, emerging threats, and the pursuit of next-generation capabilities. The Army consistently allocates substantial resources to R&D to maintain its technological edge, making this sector a critical area of federal expenditure.
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 › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: CACI International Inc
Address: 14370 NEWBROOK DRIVE, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $49,449,621
Exercised Options: $49,449,621
Current Obligation: $38,529,937
Actual Outlays: $59,105
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 26
Total Subaward Amount: $24,425,003
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W15P7T19D0157
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-08-26
Current End Date: 2024-08-24
Potential End Date: 2024-08-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-04
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