DoD's $11.8M BAA for Border Tunnel Detection System Awarded to RTX BBN Technologies
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,883,816 ($11.9M)
Contractor: RTX BBN Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2008-06-03
End Date: 2010-11-30
Contract Duration: 910 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: U438180 -- BAA #-08-4302 - BORDER TUNNEL ACTIVITY DETECTION SYSTEM TASKS 1.1 - 1.20
Place of Performance
Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02138
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $11.9 million to RTX BBN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: U438180 -- BAA #-08-4302 - BORDER TUNNEL ACTIVITY DETECTION SYSTEM TASKS 1.1 - 1.20 Key points: 1. This contract focuses on R&D for physical security technology. 2. RTX BBN Technologies, a large business, secured the award. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. The project duration is 910 days, indicating a significant R&D effort.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The award amount of $11.8M for a 910-day R&D project requires close monitoring.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for research and development.
Public Impact
Enhances border security capabilities through advanced detection systems. Supports technological innovation in the defense sector. Potential for dual-use applications beyond border security.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to control costs.
- No specific small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Addresses a critical national security need.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically for physical sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority but requires careful management to ensure R&D objectives are met efficiently.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting goals were established or met.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Army awarded this contract. Oversight will be critical to ensure the R&D objectives are met within budget and on schedule, especially given the CPFF contract type.
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
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- No explicit mention of small business participation.
- R&D projects inherently carry technical and schedule risks.
- Potential for cost overruns without strong oversight.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ma, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $11.9 million to RTX BBN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. U438180 -- BAA #-08-4302 - BORDER TUNNEL ACTIVITY DETECTION SYSTEM TASKS 1.1 - 1.20
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RTX BBN TECHNOLOGIES, 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 $11.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-06-03. End: 2010-11-30.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this Border Tunnel Activity Detection System BAA?
The BAA likely outlines specific research objectives for detecting subterranean or concealed tunnel activity. This could involve advancements in seismic sensors, ground-penetrating radar, acoustic monitoring, or integrated sensor fusion technologies to provide real-time alerts and situational awareness for border patrol.
What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this R&D project?
The primary risks with CPFF for R&D include potential cost overruns if the contractor's costs exceed estimates, as the government bears the risk. There's also a risk of scope creep or inefficient resource allocation if oversight is not rigorous, potentially leading to reduced value for the fixed fee.
How will the effectiveness of the developed tunnel detection system be measured and validated?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through rigorous testing and validation protocols defined in the contract. This could involve simulated tunnel scenarios, field testing in relevant environments, and performance metrics related to detection accuracy, false alarm rates, response times, and system reliability under operational conditions.
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 › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Raytheon Company (UEI: 001339159)
Address: 10 MOULTON ST, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $11,883,816
Exercised Options: $11,883,816
Current Obligation: $11,883,816
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-06-03
Current End Date: 2010-11-30
Potential End Date: 2010-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2009-10-30
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