Dod's $10.2M R&D Contract for Castor IVB Motor Awarded to ATK Launch Systems LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,232,543 ($10.2M)
Contractor: ATK Launch Systems LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2006-08-25
End Date: 2010-10-22
Contract Duration: 1,519 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: CASTOR IVB MOTOR
Place of Performance
Location: BRIGHAM CITY, BOX ELDER County, UTAH, 84302
State: Utah Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $10.2 million to ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS LLC for work described as: CASTOR IVB MOTOR Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential price discovery. 3. A firm fixed price contract type was used, which can limit cost overruns. 4. The contract duration was 1519 days, indicating a long-term R&D effort. 5. The contract was awarded by the Department of Defense to ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS LLC. 6. The Missile Defense Agency is the specific agency overseeing this contract.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
Benchmarking the value of this $10.2 million R&D contract is challenging without comparable sole-source awards for the CASTOR IVB MOTOR. The firm fixed price contract type suggests an attempt to control costs, but the lack of competition means there was no market pressure to ensure the most competitive pricing. Further analysis would require understanding the specific technical requirements and the uniqueness of the solution provided by ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS LLC.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This means only one vendor, ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS LLC, was considered for this requirement. The lack of competition prevents a thorough assessment of price discovery and may have resulted in a higher price than if multiple bids had been solicited.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding, as there was no market mechanism to drive down costs.
Public Impact
This contract supports the Department of Defense's research and development efforts, specifically within the Missile Defense Agency. The services delivered are related to the development of the CASTOR IVB MOTOR. The geographic impact is primarily within Utah, where ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS LLC is located. The contract likely involves specialized scientific and engineering workforce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition limits transparency and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
- Sole-source awards can indicate potential contractor lock-in or limited market options.
- Long contract duration (1519 days) increases exposure to potential scope creep or unforeseen cost increases, despite fixed price.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed price contract type helps to cap potential cost overruns.
- Award to a known entity (ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS LLC) may suggest specialized expertise required for the R&D.
- Contract supports critical defense research and development objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The total federal spending in NAICS code 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) is substantial, with agencies like the Department of Defense being major contributors. This specific award represents a small portion of that overall R&D investment, aimed at advancing specific technological capabilities.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. As a sole-source award to a large contractor, it is unlikely to have directly benefited the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Defense and the Missile Defense Agency. As a sole-source award, the justification for not competing the contract would be a key area for oversight. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive nature, and accountability would focus on the delivery of the contracted R&D objectives.
Related Government Programs
- Missile Defense Systems
- Advanced Propulsion Research
- Aerospace Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Research Contracts
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing validation.
- Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
- Limited transparency on specific R&D objectives and outcomes.
Tags
research-and-development, department-of-defense, missile-defense-agency, atk-launch-systems-llc, sole-source, firm-fixed-price, propulsion-systems, missile-technology, utah, large-business
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $10.2 million to ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS LLC. CASTOR IVB MOTOR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Missile Defense Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $10.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-08-25. End: 2010-10-22.
What is the specific technical purpose and significance of the CASTOR IVB MOTOR that necessitated a sole-source award?
The specific technical purpose and significance of the CASTOR IVB MOTOR are not detailed in the provided data. However, its classification under 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' and its award by the Missile Defense Agency suggest it is a component or technology critical to missile defense systems. Sole-source awards are typically justified when a unique capability, proprietary technology, or urgent need exists that only one contractor can fulfill. Without further documentation, it's presumed that ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS LLC possessed the exclusive knowledge, intellectual property, or manufacturing capability for this specific motor, making competition impractical or impossible at the time of award.
How does the $10.2 million contract value compare to other R&D contracts for similar propulsion systems within the DoD?
Comparing the $10.2 million value of this CASTOR IVB MOTOR R&D contract to other propulsion system R&D contracts within the DoD is difficult without more specific data on comparable systems and their development costs. R&D contracts can vary significantly based on complexity, technology readiness level, and the specific phase of development. However, $10.2 million for a specialized motor's R&D over approximately four years (1519 days) suggests a moderately sized project. Larger, more complex systems or earlier-stage fundamental research could command higher values, while simpler component development might be less. The sole-source nature also means this figure wasn't validated against market competition.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones associated with this contract, and how was ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS LLC's performance measured?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones for this contract. Typically, R&D contracts of this nature would include phased milestones tied to technical reviews, prototype development, testing, and final reporting. Performance measurement would likely involve assessing ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS LLC's adherence to these milestones, the technical success of the research and development, and the quality of deliverables. Given it's a sole-source award, the contract's statement of work and subsequent performance reviews by the Missile Defense Agency would be the primary mechanisms for oversight and evaluation, rather than pre-defined competitive benchmarks.
What is the historical spending pattern of the Missile Defense Agency on CASTOR motors or similar propulsion technologies?
The provided data does not offer historical spending patterns for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) on CASTOR motors or similar propulsion technologies. To assess this, one would need to query federal procurement databases for past contracts awarded by the MDA or other DoD entities for related components. Understanding historical spending would help determine if this $10.2 million award represents a significant increase or decrease in investment for such technologies, and whether previous contracts for similar items were also sole-sourced or competed.
What is ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS LLC's track record with the Department of Defense, particularly in missile defense R&D?
ATK LAUNCH SYSTEMS LLC (now part of Northrop Grumman) has a significant track record with the Department of Defense, including extensive work in missile propulsion and defense systems. They have been a key contractor for various missile programs, including solid rocket motors for space launch vehicles and strategic missiles. Their involvement in missile defense R&D is well-established, often contributing critical components and technologies. This specific contract for the CASTOR IVB MOTOR would be one of many R&D efforts undertaken by the company for DoD agencies, leveraging their specialized expertise in energetic materials and propulsion systems.
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
Solicitation ID: W9113M05R0021
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems LLC (UEI: 618705925)
Address: 9160 NORTH HIGHWAY 83, CORINNE, UT, 01
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $10,671,771
Exercised Options: $10,236,167
Current Obligation: $10,232,543
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-08-25
Current End Date: 2010-10-22
Potential End Date: 2010-10-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-05-28
More Contracts from ATK Launch Systems LLC
- Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motors — $4.1B (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Award of Luu-2d/B Illumination Flares and Luu-19b/B Infrared Flares — $110.1M (Department of Defense)
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Provide Engineering Services for the Propulsion System of the Minuteman III Missile — $66.8M (Department of Defense)
- M212 Flares W/Decal — $53.2M (Department of Defense)
- 200412!000323!5700!GE45 !oo-Alc/Pkw/Wmk !FA821304C0026 !A!N! !N! ! !20040303!20060731!002241164!002241164!001339472!n!atk Thiokol Inc !9160 North Highway 83 !corinne !ut!84307!15830!003!49!corinne !BOX Elder !utah !+000023742987!n!n!000000000000!1370!pyrotechnics !A6 !ammunition !000 !* !325998!E! !1! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !d!n!j!1!001!n!1a!a!y!a! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! ! !0001! ! — $49.6M (Department of Defense)
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)