ARA History and Background
Applied Research Associates, Inc (ARA) is a research and engineering company recognized for providing technically excellent solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. Our mission is to provide in-depth and diversified research, engineering, and technical support services. We have a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, hazard mitigation technologies, environmental technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, civil engineering, and blast testing and measurement.
ARA was founded in Albuquerque, NM in 1979 and has grown steadily to become a nearly $180M company (FY07). ARA is an employee-owned company dedicated to producing innovative solutions in a timely and cost effective manner. One of our greater strengths is our ability to recruit and retain renowned experts from diverse technical fields. This keeps us fresh technically and continually broadens the scope of our capabilities. With over 1,200 employees, most of whom have advanced degrees in engineering and the physical sciences, we have the breadth to tackle the most challenging technical problems.
The company’s organization structure consists of a corporate headquarters in Albuquerque, NM with geographically separated divisions throughout the United States and Canada.
Throughout our company history, we have developed an outstanding record of managing complex programs. These programs include efforts for evaluating chemical and biological hazard mitigation technology; managerial and technical assistance and support; and design and engineering support. In FY07, contracts with the Department of Defense (DOD) accounted for 72% of the gross revenue, and total government business accounted for 77%. Our Operating Principles, the reason we receive consistently strong performance ratings and enjoy long-term relationships with our customers, are:
- Technical excellence,
- Responsiveness,
- Effective communication,
- Strong fiscal and schedule control, and
- Client confidentiality.
On our four largest contracts in fiscal year 2007, with revenues totaling approximately $50M/year, ARA achieved award fee scores of 95-99%.
While ARA has grown and is now considered a midsize company, ARA remains nimble with minimal management bureaucracy and still possesses the agility of a small company to rapidly respond to the changing needs of the client. Relative to the magnitude of this project, our size also ensures that the client will receive close and careful attention from our most senior, experienced managers. The fiscal and technical responsibility resides with the staff that manages and accomplishes the work that creates an environment of individual responsibility and pride of ownership. Further, this organizational style allows ARA to respond quickly to changing needs by placing only technically competent staff in charge that are capable of effectively managing the task at hand.
Since our founding in 1979, ARA has not requested additional funds from a single customer due to increases in indirect rates or any contract cost overruns. Coupled with our proven R&D, systems engineering, and management processes, ARA has the depth of technical and management expertise to execute this program efficiently and effectively. Several elements of our ARA’s expertise make us the best choice to support this CBR-D effort:
§ Our people have expertise and the unique quality of being innovative problem solvers.
§ We are client-focused. We expect to not only meet, but exceed Navy expectations.
Our goal is to always provide the best total solution for our clients. Our commitment to provide the Best Total Solution and Best Product to our clients has resulted in customer loyalty and recognition of our efforts. We understand both Navy and Joint CBR-D requirements and the importance of this mission. We’ve applied this formula since 1979, and it has established our international reputation as a company that exceeds expectations in solving complex problem of national importance.
