DoD awards $13.5M for underwater munition capture tech, with R&D focus
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,550,000 ($13.6M)
Contractor: G.D.O., Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-06-09
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,301 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: BAA EL 22 0045 YEAR 1 PROVIDE RESEARCH IN SUPPORT OF THE BAA PROPOSAL NUMBER BAA EL 22 0045 FOR THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE UNDERWATER CUT AND CAPTURE SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY ON LIVE MUNITIONS FOR THE ERDC ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY. U433D70
Place of Performance
Location: VICKSBURG, WARREN County, MISSISSIPPI, 39180
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $13.6 million to G.D.O., INC for work described as: BAA EL 22 0045 YEAR 1 PROVIDE RESEARCH IN SUPPORT OF THE BAA PROPOSAL NUMBER BAA EL 22 0045 FOR THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE UNDERWATER CUT AND CAPTURE SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY ON LIVE MUNITIONS FOR THE ERDC ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY. U433D70 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced research and development for a critical environmental need. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the research effort. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration of over three years indicates a substantial research undertaking. 5. The project aligns with the Army's Environmental Laboratory's mission for safe disposal. 6. Performance is in Mississippi, potentially impacting the local economy and workforce.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $13.5 million for a multi-year R&D project appears reasonable given the specialized nature of developing technology for underwater munition capture. Benchmarking against similar complex R&D efforts in defense or environmental remediation would provide further context, but the price seems aligned with the scope of developing novel systems. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit proposals. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovative solutions. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a deliberate effort to solicit a wide range of capabilities.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value through a robust bidding process, potentially driving down costs and improving the quality of the research.
Public Impact
The U.S. Army's Environmental Laboratory benefits from research into safer munition disposal methods. The project aims to develop and demonstrate an underwater cut and capture system. The geographic impact is primarily in Mississippi, where the research and demonstration will occur. Potential workforce implications include specialized R&D roles for scientists and engineers.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The complexity of underwater operations and live munitions presents inherent safety and technical risks.
- Effectiveness of the developed technology in diverse underwater environments needs to be validated.
- Long-term environmental impact of the capture system itself requires careful consideration.
Positive Signals
- Focus on a critical environmental and safety issue (munitions disposal).
- Utilizes a competitive procurement process to ensure value.
- Clear objective to demonstrate a novel technology system.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences. The market for environmental remediation and defense-related technology development is specialized, often involving significant investment in innovation. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in contracts for advanced materials, robotics, or environmental engineering solutions within the Department of Defense and other federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract likely requiring specialized expertise, it may involve subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in areas such as component manufacturing, specialized testing, or logistical support, though this is not explicitly detailed.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Army's contracting and technical offices. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, and further oversight may be provided by the Army's Inspector General if specific concerns arise during performance.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Remediation Services
- Munitions Response Program
- Defense Research and Development
- Naval Undersea Warfare
- Advanced Technology Development
Risk Flags
- Potential safety risks associated with live munitions
- Technical challenges of underwater operations
- Environmental impact of munition disposal technology
Tags
department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, research-and-development, environmental-laboratory, underwater-technology, munitions-disposal, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, mississippi, definitive-contract, science-and-technology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $13.6 million to G.D.O., INC. BAA EL 22 0045 YEAR 1 PROVIDE RESEARCH IN SUPPORT OF THE BAA PROPOSAL NUMBER BAA EL 22 0045 FOR THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE UNDERWATER CUT AND CAPTURE SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY ON LIVE MUNITIONS FOR THE ERDC ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY. U433D70
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is G.D.O., 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 $13.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-06-09. End: 2026-12-31.
What is the specific technical approach for the underwater cut and capture system?
The provided data does not detail the specific technical approach for the underwater cut and capture system. This level of technical detail is typically found in the Statement of Work (SOW) or technical proposal associated with the contract, which are not publicly available in this summary. The research aims to demonstrate the technology on live munitions, implying a need for precision cutting, containment, and safe capture mechanisms suitable for underwater environments. Further inquiry would require accessing the full contract documentation or related technical reports from the ERDC Environmental Laboratory.
How does the $13.5 million cost compare to similar R&D efforts for environmental technology?
Directly comparing the $13.5 million cost to similar R&D efforts is challenging without specific benchmarks for underwater munition capture systems. However, R&D contracts of this duration (over three years) and complexity, particularly those involving hazardous materials and novel system development for defense applications, often range from several million to tens of millions of dollars. The value appears within a reasonable range for developing and demonstrating a specialized technology. A more precise comparison would involve analyzing contracts for advanced robotics, hazardous material handling systems, or environmental cleanup technologies within the DoD or EPA.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the success of this research contract?
The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this research contract. Typically, for an R&D project focused on demonstrating a technology, KPIs would relate to the system's effectiveness in cutting and capturing munitions, operational reliability in underwater conditions, safety during operation, and potentially cost-efficiency of the demonstrated process. The contract's success will likely be measured by the successful demonstration of the system's capabilities as defined in the Statement of Work, meeting specific technical objectives related to munition types, depths, and capture rates.
What is the track record of G.D.O., INC. in performing similar defense or environmental R&D contracts?
Information regarding the specific track record of G.D.O., INC. in performing similar defense or environmental R&D contracts is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their capabilities, one would need to review their past performance on federal contracts, including their success in delivering on R&D objectives, adherence to schedules and budgets, and overall quality of work. Databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or contractor performance assessment reports (CPARS) would offer insights into their history, particularly concerning contracts with the Department of Defense or related environmental agencies.
What are the potential risks associated with demonstrating this technology on live munitions?
Demonstrating an underwater cut and capture system on live munitions carries significant risks. These include the potential for accidental detonation during the cutting or capture process, environmental contamination from munition components or the system itself, and operational failures in challenging underwater environments. Safety protocols, rigorous testing in controlled environments prior to live demonstrations, and robust containment measures are critical to mitigate these risks. The success of the project hinges on the contractor's ability to manage these inherent dangers effectively throughout the research and demonstration phases.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Natural Resources and Environment R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: W912HZ23BAA01
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 11080 INDUSTRIAL CIR NW, ELK RIVER, MN, 55330
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,550,000
Exercised Options: $13,550,000
Current Obligation: $13,550,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-06-09
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2026-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-03
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