University of Hawaii awarded $23.9M for R&D, with a significant portion for applied research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,912,637 ($23.9M)

Contractor: University of Hawaii

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2001-09-28

End Date: 2011-09-30

Contract Duration: 3,654 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: 200112!000599!5700!GS03 !DET 8, AFRL/PK (SUPPORTS DE) !F2960101D0083 !A!N!*!N!0003 !20010928!20040930!965088057!155016041!009438664!N!UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII !2530 DOLE STREET !HONOLULU !HI!96822!17000!003!15!HONOLULU !HONOLULU !HAWAII !+000000280447!N!N!000000000000!AD92!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-APPLIED RESEARCH !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPME!3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541513!*!*!5!B!S! !*!*!*!B!*!*!A! !A !N!S!2!002!B! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!U!N! ! ! ! ! !A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001!

Place of Performance

Location: HONOLULU, HONOLULU County, HAWAII, 96822, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Hawaii Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $23.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII for work described as: 200112!000599!5700!GS03 !DET 8, AFRL/PK (SUPPORTS DE) !F2960101D0083 !A!N!*!N!0003 !20010928!20040930!965088057!155016041!009438664!N!UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII !2530 DOLE STREET !HONOLULU !HI!96822!17000!003!15!HONOLULU !HONOLULU !HAWAII !+000000280447!N!N!000000000000!AD92!RDTE/OTHER… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Significant portion of funding allocated to applied research, indicating a focus on practical applications. 3. Contract duration of over 10 years suggests a long-term research objective. 4. Awarded to a university, potentially fostering academic-industry collaboration and knowledge transfer. 5. Full and open competition indicates a broad search for qualified contractors. 6. The contract type (Cost No Fee) suggests that the government bears the cost of performance, with the contractor receiving no fee upon completion.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $23.9 million over approximately 10 years averages to about $2.4 million per year. Without specific benchmarks for similar R&D contracts in physical, engineering, and life sciences, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the Cost No Fee contract type implies that the government is covering all allowable costs, which can sometimes lead to less stringent cost control compared to fixed-price contracts. Further analysis would require comparing the scope of work and deliverables to other university-led research grants or contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data does not specify the number of bids received, but this method of procurement generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The broad competition is a positive indicator for price discovery and ensuring the government receives the best possible value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and potentially lowering overall costs.

Public Impact

The University of Hawaii is the primary beneficiary, receiving funding for its research capabilities. The contract supports research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences, potentially leading to advancements in these fields. The geographic impact is primarily in Hawaii, where the University of Hawaii is located, potentially boosting local research infrastructure and expertise. Workforce implications may include support for researchers, students, and administrative staff at the university.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost No Fee contract type may offer less incentive for strict cost control by the contractor.
Long contract duration could present challenges in adapting to evolving research needs or technological advancements.
Lack of specific performance metrics or deliverables in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the research.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a robust procurement process aimed at achieving best value.
Award to a university indicates potential for high-quality academic research and contribution to scientific knowledge.
The substantial funding amount suggests a significant and potentially impactful research endeavor.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The R&D sector is crucial for innovation and technological advancement across various industries. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other government contracts awarded for similar scientific research, particularly those with universities or research institutions. The total award of $23.9 million over a decade suggests a significant investment in a specific area of applied research.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As the awardee is the University of Hawaii, a large research institution, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mentioned in this data. The focus is on the primary research activities conducted by the university.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting agency, the Department of the Navy, within the Department of Defense. Accountability measures would be tied to the research objectives and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
University Research Grants
Applied Scientific Research Contracts
Physical Sciences Research
Engineering Sciences Research
Life Sciences Research

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or changing requirements.
Cost-reimbursement contract type requires careful monitoring to control costs.
Research and Development inherently carries a risk of failure or inconclusive results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $23.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII. 200112!000599!5700!GS03 !DET 8, AFRL/PK (SUPPORTS DE) !F2960101D0083 !A!N!*!N!0003 !20010928!20040930!965088057!155016041!009438664!N!UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII !2530 DOLE STREET !HONOLULU !HI!96822!17000!003!15!HONOLULU !HONOLULU !HAWAII !+000000280447!N!N!000000000000!AD92!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-APPLIED RESEARCH !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPME!3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541513!*!*!5!B!S! !*!*!*!B!*!*!A! !A !N!S!2!002!B! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!U!N! ! ! ! ! !A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001!

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2001-09-28. End: 2011-09-30.

What specific research areas within physical, engineering, and life sciences are being supported by this contract?

The provided data categorizes the contract under 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' (ND: 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences') and specifies the Product Service Code (PSC) as '541513' which relates to 'Photographic Equipment and Supplies (except Lenses)'. However, the broader NAICS code '541710' indicates 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences'. The contract details do not specify the precise sub-disciplines or projects within these broad categories. Further investigation into the contract's statement of work would be necessary to identify the specific research areas being pursued. Given the awardee is the University of Hawaii, it's plausible the research aligns with their institutional strengths and any specific solicitations from the Department of the Navy.

How does the $23.9 million award compare to typical R&D spending by the Department of the Navy for similar research areas?

Comparing the $23.9 million award to the Department of the Navy's typical R&D spending requires access to historical spending data broken down by specific research areas and contract types. The provided data indicates this contract spans over 10 years (2001-2011), averaging approximately $2.4 million annually. While this is a substantial sum for a single award, the Department of the Navy's overall R&D budget is in the billions. To assess if this is typical, one would need to benchmark it against other contracts for 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' awarded to universities or research institutions during that period. Without that comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state whether this award is typical or an outlier.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list the key performance indicators (KPIs) or specific deliverables for this contract. Contracts of this nature, especially those involving research and development, typically outline expected outcomes in a Statement of Work (SOW). These could include research reports, prototypes, data analysis, publications, or presentations. The 'Cost No Fee' (PT: 'COST NO FEE') contract type suggests that the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs incurred in performing the work, and the contractor receives no additional fee. Performance monitoring would likely focus on the adherence to the research plan and the successful completion of agreed-upon milestones, rather than profit margins.

What is the track record of the University of Hawaii in successfully managing large federal research contracts?

The University of Hawaii has a history of receiving federal funding for research, as evidenced by this contract and likely others. As a major educational institution, it possesses established administrative structures for managing grants and contracts. Assessing their overall track record would involve reviewing their past performance on similar large-scale federal R&D contracts, including factors like timely delivery of results, adherence to budget, and compliance with regulations. While this specific contract award doesn't detail past performance, universities generally have a well-documented history of research output and grant management, though individual project success can vary.

Are there any identified risks associated with this contract, such as cost overruns or research failures?

The primary risk associated with a 'Cost No Fee' (PT: 'COST NO FEE') contract is the potential for cost overruns, as the government bears the cost of performance. While the contractor does not profit, inefficient management or unforeseen research challenges could lead to higher government expenditures than initially anticipated. Research failures are inherent to R&D; not all research yields successful or immediately applicable results. The long duration (over 10 years) also introduces risks related to changing research priorities, technological obsolescence, or the departure of key personnel. The lack of specific risk mitigation strategies in the provided data necessitates a review of the full contract documentation.

How does this contract contribute to the Department of the Navy's broader research and technology objectives?

This contract, awarded by the Department of the Navy (AG: 'Department of Defense', SA: 'Department of the Navy'), likely supports specific strategic research goals within the physical, engineering, and life sciences. The 'RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-APPLIED RESEARCH' (AD92) designation strongly suggests a focus on developing technologies or knowledge with potential defense applications. Applied research aims to solve practical problems or develop new capabilities. The University of Hawaii's involvement suggests the Navy is leveraging external academic expertise to advance its technological edge, potentially in areas critical to national security or naval operations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: University of Hawaii Systems (UEI: 009438664)

Address: 2425 CAMPUS RD SINCLAIR LIBRARY RM 1, HONOLULU, HI, 96822

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,538,451

Exercised Options: $23,538,451

Current Obligation: $23,912,637

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: F2960101D0083

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline