DoD awards $37M for Missile and Space Systems R&D to Decibel Research, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,653,523 ($16.7M)

Contractor: Decibel Research, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-04-04

End Date: 2008-07-19

Contract Duration: 1,202 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200507!501272!2100!W9113M!USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !W9113M05C0128 !A!N! !N! ! !20050404!20061103!121016096!121016096!121016096!N!DECIBEL RESEARCH, INC !1525 PERIMETER PKWY NW # 5!HUNTSVILLE !AL!35806!37000!089!01!HUNTSVILLE !MADISON !ALABAMA !+000000706000!N!N!000000000000!AC23!RDTE/MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS-ADV TECH DEV !A2 !MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS !372 !JLENS !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !20200930!B! ! !A! !D!N!U!1!001!N!1G!Z!Y!Z! ! !N!B!N!N! ! !A! !A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! !Y! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35814

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $16.7 million to DECIBEL RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: 200507!501272!2100!W9113M!USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !W9113M05C0128 !A!N! !N! ! !20050404!20061103!121016096!121016096!121016096!N!DECIBEL RESEARCH, INC !1525 PERIMETER PKWY NW # 5!HUNTSVILLE !AL!35806!37000!089!01!HUNTSVILLE !MADI… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for advanced technology development in missile and space systems. 2. Decibel Research, Inc. secured the $37M contract. 3. The contract was not competed, raising potential value concerns. 4. Spending is within the Research and Development sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $37,000,000 for a 1202-day period (approximately 3.3 years) appears high for the stated purpose of advanced technology development. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts would be necessary for a definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in the government paying a premium for the services, impacting taxpayer value.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may have paid more due to the absence of competitive bidding. The specific technological advancements funded by this contract are not detailed, limiting public understanding of its direct impact. The contract duration of over three years suggests a significant, long-term investment in a specific area of defense technology.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpayment due to sole-source award
Limited public information on specific deliverables

Positive Signals

Award to a specific company for specialized R&D
Long-term investment in defense technology

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced technology development for missile and space systems. Spending in this area is critical for national security but requires careful oversight to ensure value for money.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation would be needed to confirm any small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny. Oversight should focus on ensuring the pricing is fair and reasonable and that the contractor is meeting all performance requirements.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for inflated costs
Limited transparency on deliverables
No clear small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $16.7 million to DECIBEL RESEARCH, INC.. 200507!501272!2100!W9113M!USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !W9113M05C0128 !A!N! !N! ! !20050404!20061103!121016096!121016096!121016096!N!DECIBEL RESEARCH, INC !1525 PERIMETER PKWY NW # 5!HUNTSVILLE !AL!35806!37000!089!01!HUNTSVILLE !MADISON !ALABAMA !+000000706000!N!N!000000000000!AC23!RDTE/MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS-ADV TECH DEV !A2 !MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS !372 !JLENS !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !202

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DECIBEL RESEARCH, 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 $16.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-04-04. End: 2008-07-19.

What specific technological advancements were achieved under this contract, and how do they benefit national security?

The contract focused on 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences,' specifically 'RDTE/MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS-ADV TECH DEV.' While the exact advancements are not detailed in the provided data, such R&D typically aims to enhance missile defense capabilities, space situational awareness, or offensive space-based systems, contributing to national security by maintaining a technological edge.

Given the sole-source award, what steps were taken to ensure the price was fair and reasonable?

Without detailed pricing analysis documentation, it's difficult to ascertain the exact steps. However, for sole-source contracts, agencies typically conduct a price analysis using historical data, commercial price lists, or comparisons to similar government contracts. The Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) would also monitor performance to ensure value delivery.

How does the $37M investment in missile and space systems R&D compare to similar investments made by the DoD in recent years?

The $37M award for advanced technology development in missile and space systems is a significant investment. However, to assess its relative value, it needs to be benchmarked against other R&D contracts within the DoD for similar technologies. The DoD's overall R&D budget is substantial, and this contract represents a portion of that investment, the significance of which depends on the strategic priorities it addresses.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1525 PERIMETER PKWY NW # 5, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 05

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline