RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:Contract updateIt is likely the total $40M project is structured around the following 4 phases:
1) Discovery/Proof of Concept/Analysis (5-10%)
2) Design/Develop/Operationalize (25-40%)
3) Scale (20-30%)
4) Enhance (20-30%)
Like with many government contracts, if they made the cut to initiate this project, unless due to poor performance, they will likely be awarded each every subsequent phase. Reason is simple, if the DnD is adopting their SMART solution, no other vendor is able to do #2, #3, and #4 given that it is proprietary.
The question then becomes not IF but WHEN each of the phases will hit the books.
From my personal experience working in the space, Phase 1 could be anywhere from 3-6 months of project duration given that SMART is an existing solution that is tailored for misinformation survellience for government.
Phase 2 will likely have the toughest hard deadlines to make, and the highest risk/reward. This phase could be anywhere from 9-18 months in duration.
If they can get through Phase 2, they're pretty much guaranteed Phase 3 and 4, though those contracts will be multi-year (12-24 months).
The $40M is not lump sum. I would treat it like consultant services for solution implementation.
What this contract does offer is a pretty reliable revenue base for the next 3-4 years.