DoD's $23.7M GPS Antenna Contract: Research & Development Spending Raises Questions on Value and Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,758,143 ($23.8M)
Contractor: Mayflower Communications Company, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2017-09-30
End Date: 2022-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,734 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MULTI-PLATFORM ANTI-JAM GPS NAV ANTENNA IGF::OT::IGF
Place of Performance
Location: BEDFORD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01730
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $23.8 million to MAYFLOWER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, INC. for work described as: MULTI-PLATFORM ANTI-JAM GPS NAV ANTENNA IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Significant R&D investment in a critical navigation component. 2. Competition was limited after excluding sources, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. Contract duration of 1734 days suggests a long-term need. 4. No small business participation noted.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure for R&D can lead to cost overruns. Benchmarking is difficult without specific unit cost data, but the total award of $23.7M over nearly five years warrants scrutiny for value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates a non-standard procurement. This method limits the pool of potential offerors and may not have resulted in the most competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced R&D. The limited competition raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price for this technology.
Public Impact
Ensures advanced GPS capabilities for military operations. Supports technological advancement in navigation systems. Potential for dual-use technology benefiting civilian sectors. Funding for specialized R&D in Massachusetts.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- No small business involvement
Positive Signals
- Supports critical defense technology
- Long-term contract indicates sustained need
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but requires careful oversight due to inherent uncertainties and potential for cost growth.
Small Business Impact
The contract explicitly states no small business participation. This misses an opportunity to support small businesses in the defense technology sector and may indicate a focus on larger, established contractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' requires justification. Oversight should focus on ensuring this exclusion was necessary and that the fixed fee adequately incentivized cost control.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition raises value concerns.
- Cost-plus contract type increases government cost risk.
- Lack of small business participation.
- R&D spending requires strong justification for value.
- Potential for cost overruns due to contract type and R&D nature.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ma, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $23.8 million to MAYFLOWER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, INC.. MULTI-PLATFORM ANTI-JAM GPS NAV ANTENNA IGF::OT::IGF
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MAYFLOWER COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, 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 $23.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-09-30. End: 2022-06-30.
What was the justification for excluding other sources in the competition for this GPS antenna contract?
The justification for excluding other sources is critical. Typically, such exclusions are based on factors like unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs that only a specific vendor can meet. Without this justification, the limited competition appears to be a missed opportunity for broader market engagement and potentially better pricing.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure impact the risk of cost overruns for this R&D contract?
Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts share cost risk between the government and the contractor. While the contractor is incentivized to control costs to maximize their fixed fee, the government bears the majority of the cost risk. For R&D, where outcomes are uncertain, CPFF can lead to significant cost growth if not managed diligently through robust oversight and clear performance metrics.
What is the long-term strategic value of investing $23.7M in this specific GPS antenna R&D?
The long-term strategic value hinges on the technological advancements achieved. If this R&D leads to significantly improved anti-jamming capabilities or enhanced GPS accuracy, it provides a critical advantage for defense operations. However, without clear performance outcomes and a roadmap for integration, the value proposition remains uncertain, especially given the limited competition and cost-plus structure.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: W911W617R0020
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Mayflower Communications Company Inc.
Address: 11 OAK PARK DR STE 200, BEDFORD, MA, 01730
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,775,542
Exercised Options: $23,758,143
Current Obligation: $23,758,143
Actual Outlays: $2,318,082
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-09-30
Current End Date: 2022-06-30
Potential End Date: 2022-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-31
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