DoD awards $15.6M for air and missile defense simulation support to Teledyne Brown Engineering
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,624,603 ($15.6M)
Contractor: Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-08-01
End Date: 2026-07-31
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: FOREIGN MILITARY SALES (FMS) - AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE MODELING SIMULATION SUPPORT TO PROVISION EXTENDED AIR DEFENSE SIMULATION FOR MAINTENANCE, SUSTAINMENT AND ENHANCEMENTS, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35807
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $15.6 million to TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, INC. for work described as: FOREIGN MILITARY SALES (FMS) - AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE MODELING SIMULATION SUPPORT TO PROVISION EXTENDED AIR DEFENSE SIMULATION FOR MAINTENANCE, SUSTAINMENT AND ENHANCEMENTS, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on sustaining and enhancing air defense simulation capabilities. 2. Value-for-money assessment pending detailed cost analysis and benchmarking. 3. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, potentially driving competitive pricing. 4. Risk indicators include the complexity of simulation modeling and sustainment requirements. 5. Performance context relies on the contractor's ability to deliver advanced simulation support. 6. Sector positioning within R&D highlights the importance of advanced modeling for defense. 7. Contract duration of three years suggests a need for sustained technical expertise.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $15.6 million over three years for simulation support appears moderate for specialized R&D services. A direct comparison to similar contracts for air and missile defense modeling and simulation is necessary to fully benchmark value. Pricing will be assessed based on the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, examining labor rates and indirect costs against industry standards. The absence of specific performance metrics in the provided data limits a comprehensive value assessment at this stage.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but a full and open process generally fosters a competitive environment. This approach aims to ensure the government receives the best value by allowing a wide range of potential contractors to compete, which can lead to more innovative solutions and potentially lower prices.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for competitive pricing and encourages a broad base of contractors to vie for government work, leading to better resource allocation.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army and potentially other branches of the military relying on advanced air and missile defense capabilities. Services delivered include maintenance, sustainment, enhancements, and technical assistance for air defense simulation models. Geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting defense readiness and technological development. Workforce implications include the need for specialized engineers and simulation experts within Teledyne Brown Engineering and potentially its subcontractors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Complexity of maintaining and enhancing advanced simulation models requires specialized expertise.
- Reliance on a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
- The extended duration of the contract (three years) necessitates continuous oversight to ensure performance remains aligned with objectives.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
- Contract supports critical air and missile defense capabilities, aligning with national security priorities.
- Teledyne Brown Engineering's established presence in defense contracting suggests relevant experience.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced modeling and simulation for defense applications. The market for defense simulation and training is substantial, driven by the need for realistic training environments and system development without the cost and risk of live exercises. Comparable spending often involves significant investments in software development, hardware integration, and technical support for complex military systems. This contract contributes to the broader ecosystem of defense technology innovation.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and does not appear to be a prime contract specifically targeting small business participation. Therefore, the direct impact on small business set-asides is minimal. However, Teledyne Brown Engineering may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific requirements, contributing indirectly to the small business ecosystem. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the full impact.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Army contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment milestones tied to successful delivery. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction may apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Foreign Military Sales (FMS)
- Missile Defense Agency Programs
- Air Force Simulation and Training Programs
- Army Aviation and Missile Command Support Contracts
- Department of Defense Research and Development Funding
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in CPFF contracts
- Risk of technical obsolescence in simulation models
- Dependency on specialized technical expertise
- Ensuring fidelity and accuracy of complex simulations
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, army, research-and-development, modeling-and-simulation, air-and-missile-defense, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, alabama, teledyne-brown-engineering
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $15.6 million to TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, INC.. FOREIGN MILITARY SALES (FMS) - AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE MODELING SIMULATION SUPPORT TO PROVISION EXTENDED AIR DEFENSE SIMULATION FOR MAINTENANCE, SUSTAINMENT AND ENHANCEMENTS, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, 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 $15.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-08-01. End: 2026-07-31.
What is Teledyne Brown Engineering's track record with similar simulation and modeling contracts for the Department of Defense?
Teledyne Brown Engineering has a history of supporting defense programs, including those involving complex modeling and simulation. Their experience often spans various engineering disciplines and technical services for government clients. Specific to air and missile defense, their past performance would need to be reviewed against contract requirements, including successful delivery of simulation capabilities, adherence to schedules, and cost control on previous CPFF contracts. A detailed review of their contract history within FPDS and other federal procurement databases would reveal the scope and success of their prior engagements in this specialized area, looking for patterns in contract awards, performance ratings, and any past issues or commendations.
How does the $15.6 million contract value compare to other DoD contracts for air and missile defense simulation support?
The $15.6 million value for three years of support for air and missile defense simulation is within a moderate range for specialized R&D services. However, without specific details on the scope of work, complexity of the simulation models, and the level of sustainment and enhancement required, a direct comparison is challenging. Larger, more comprehensive simulation development contracts can reach hundreds of millions of dollars, while smaller, focused sustainment efforts might be in the single-digit millions. Benchmarking against contracts with similar service descriptions, duration, and agency (e.g., Missile Defense Agency, Air Force Research Laboratory) would provide a clearer picture of whether this award represents a competitive price point for the services rendered.
What are the primary risks associated with sustaining and enhancing air defense simulation models over a three-year period?
Key risks include the rapid evolution of air and missile defense technologies, which could render existing simulation models outdated or less effective, requiring significant rework. Technical obsolescence of software or hardware components used in the simulation environment is another risk. Ensuring the accuracy and fidelity of the models as threats and countermeasures evolve is critical and technically challenging. Furthermore, maintaining a highly skilled workforce with expertise in advanced simulation, modeling, and air defense systems is crucial, and personnel turnover can pose a risk. Contractor performance issues, such as delays in development or failure to meet performance specifications, also represent significant risks to the program's objectives.
How effective are simulation and modeling contracts like this in improving actual air and missile defense capabilities?
Simulation and modeling contracts are crucial for improving air and missile defense capabilities by providing a cost-effective and safe environment for testing, training, and development. They allow for the evaluation of new strategies, system integration, and operator training without the risks and expenses associated with live exercises. These models help identify system vulnerabilities, optimize performance, and refine operational procedures. For example, complex scenarios involving multiple threats can be simulated to train operators and validate defensive responses. The effectiveness hinges on the fidelity of the models, the realism of the scenarios, and how well the insights gained are integrated back into system design, training programs, and operational planning.
What are the historical spending patterns for air and missile defense simulation support within the Department of Defense?
Historical spending on air and missile defense simulation support within the DoD has been substantial and generally increasing, reflecting the growing complexity of threats and the need for advanced technological solutions. Budgets allocated to simulation, modeling, and training (SMT) are significant across services like the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with a dedicated focus on missile defense. This spending supports the development, maintenance, and enhancement of sophisticated simulation environments used for research, development, testing, and training. Trends often show a shift towards more integrated, high-fidelity, and networked simulation capabilities to mirror real-world operational environments, indicating a sustained and evolving investment in this area.
What is the typical duration and value for contracts related to Foreign Military Sales (FMS) simulation support?
Contracts related to Foreign Military Sales (FMS) simulation support can vary widely in duration and value, depending on the specific FMS case, the complexity of the defense system being supported, and the scope of simulation services required. FMS contracts often involve long-term sustainment and training, which can lead to multi-year agreements. Values can range from a few million dollars for specific technical assistance or software updates to tens or hundreds of millions for comprehensive simulation system development and integration for allied nations. The duration is typically tied to the lifecycle of the supported defense system, often spanning several years to ensure continued operational readiness and training effectiveness for the FMS customer.
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
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: W9113M13R0010
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
Address: 300 SPARKMAN DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35805
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $47,035,625
Exercised Options: $27,445,556
Current Obligation: $15,624,603
Actual Outlays: $494,916
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $171,729
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W9113M17D0008
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-08-01
Current End Date: 2026-07-31
Potential End Date: 2028-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-17
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