DoD awards $24.7M for Hypersonic Test Engineering, Mission Planning, and Systems to Analex Corporation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,711,038 ($24.7M)
Contractor: Analex Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-12-22
End Date: 2025-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,743 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: HYPERSONIC TEST ENGINEERING, MISSION PLANNING, AND SYSTEMS
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $24.7 million to ANALEX CORPORATION for work described as: HYPERSONIC TEST ENGINEERING, MISSION PLANNING, AND SYSTEMS Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1743 days indicates a long-term need for these specialized services. 3. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type may present cost control challenges if not managed diligently. 4. The primary agency is the Department of Defense, with the Department of the Army as the servicing agency. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services. 6. The contract is for delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without knowing the total value of the parent IDIQ contract and the specific services rendered. The CPFF structure requires careful oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and fixed fees are justified. Comparing this to similar engineering services contracts for defense applications would be necessary for a more precise value assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offering. The open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized engineering services.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for competitive pricing and the assurance that the government sought the most capable contractor through an open process.
Public Impact
The Department of Defense benefits from advanced engineering support for hypersonic testing and mission planning. This contract supports the development and refinement of critical defense technologies. The services are likely to be performed in Alabama, based on the state code provided. The contract may indirectly support a specialized engineering workforce in the aerospace and defense sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- The long duration of the contract could introduce risks related to evolving technological requirements or market changes.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- The contract addresses a critical national security need in hypersonic technology.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a critical component of the broader aerospace and defense industry. The market for specialized engineering services supporting advanced military technologies like hypersonics is highly competitive and requires deep technical expertise. Spending in this area is often driven by national security priorities and technological advancement races. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within large defense R&D and procurement programs.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Analex Corporation, may engage small businesses as subcontractors if it aligns with their subcontracting plan or project needs, though this is not explicitly mandated by the contract details provided.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense contracting officers. Accountability measures are inherent in the CPFF contract type, requiring detailed cost reporting and performance metrics. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Hypersonic Weapons Development Programs
- Advanced Missile Defense Systems
- Aerospace Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Research and Development
Risk Flags
- Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
- Scope Creep Risk (Long Duration)
- Technological Obsolescence Risk
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, engineering-services, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, cost-plus-fixed-fee, hypersonic, test-engineering, mission-planning, analex-corporation, alabama
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $24.7 million to ANALEX CORPORATION. HYPERSONIC TEST ENGINEERING, MISSION PLANNING, AND SYSTEMS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ANALEX CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $24.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-12-22. End: 2025-09-30.
What is Analex Corporation's track record with similar Department of Defense contracts?
Analex Corporation has a history of performing engineering and technical services for the Department of Defense. While specific details on past hypersonic-related contracts are not provided here, their general experience in defense contracting suggests familiarity with government procurement processes and technical requirements. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal the scale and scope of their previous work, including any prior involvement in advanced propulsion, aerospace engineering, or mission planning for defense applications. This would help assess their capability and past performance in areas relevant to this current award.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar services?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is common for research and development or complex engineering projects where the scope of work is not fully defined at the outset. It allows the contractor to recover all allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee, representing profit. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF offers more flexibility for the government when requirements are uncertain but carries a higher risk of cost overruns if not managed diligently. Other types like Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) or Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) introduce performance incentives. For specialized engineering services like hypersonic test support, CPFF is often chosen to encourage innovation and manage evolving technical challenges, but it necessitates robust government oversight of costs and progress.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) likely being used to assess Analex Corporation's performance on this contract?
Key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract would likely focus on technical execution, schedule adherence, and cost control. Specific KPIs could include the accuracy and timeliness of mission planning data, the successful execution of test engineering tasks, the quality of systems integration and analysis, and adherence to budget projections. For a CPFF contract, KPIs might also track the efficiency of resource utilization and the contractor's ability to manage costs within anticipated ranges. Performance metrics related to the successful completion of milestones and the delivery of required technical reports and analyses would also be critical for evaluating Analex's contribution to the DoD's hypersonic objectives.
What is the historical spending trend for hypersonic test engineering and mission planning services within the Department of Defense?
Historical spending on hypersonic test engineering and mission planning services within the Department of Defense has seen a significant upward trend over the past decade, driven by strategic priorities and perceived threats. While specific figures for this niche category are often embedded within larger R&D or procurement budgets, overall defense spending on hypersonics has increased substantially. This reflects a global push in developing and fielding hypersonic capabilities. The allocation of funds for supporting services like test engineering and mission planning is a direct consequence of this broader investment in hypersonic technology development and deployment across various military branches.
Are there any specific risks associated with the CPFF contract type for a long-duration project like this?
Yes, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type carries specific risks, particularly for long-duration projects. A primary risk is the potential for cost escalation, as the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs. Without stringent oversight, costs can exceed initial estimates. For long-duration contracts, there's also a risk that the 'fixed fee' may become disproportionately small relative to the effort expended if costs escalate significantly, potentially impacting contractor motivation. Furthermore, defining and controlling the scope of work over an extended period can be challenging, leading to potential disputes over allowable costs or the necessity of certain expenditures. Effective contract management, including regular audits and performance reviews, is crucial to mitigate these risks.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 14295 PARK MEADOW DRIVE STE 500, 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: $43,950,725
Exercised Options: $43,950,725
Current Obligation: $24,711,038
Actual Outlays: $154,574
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 17
Total Subaward Amount: $1,809,564
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU316
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-12-22
Current End Date: 2025-09-30
Potential End Date: 2025-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-13
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