DoD's $37.2M R&D contract with Engility Corp. awarded via full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $37,255,321 ($37.3M)
Contractor: Engility Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2005-09-28
End Date: 2013-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,924 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: 200512!502570!9700!HDTRA1!DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY !DTRA0103D0013 !A!N! !N!0011 ! !20050928!20101002!048341838!048341838!008898843!N!THE TITAN CORPORATION !3033 SCIENCE PARK ROAD !SAN DIEGO !CA!92121!12748!037!06!CHATSWORTH !LOS ANGELES !CALIFORNIA!+000000506205!N!N!000000000000!AD92!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-APPLIED RESEARCH !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !541710!E! !5!B!M! !A!C!20080430!B! ! !A! !A!U!U!2!005!B! !Z!Y!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!A!A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! !Y!9761! !0001! !
Place of Performance
Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $37.3 million to ENGILITY CORPORATION for work described as: 200512!502570!9700!HDTRA1!DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY !DTRA0103D0013 !A!N! !N!0011 ! !20050928!20101002!048341838!048341838!008898843!N!THE TITAN CORPORATION !3033 SCIENCE PARK ROAD !SAN DIEGO !CA!92121!12748!037!06!CHATSWORTH !LOS … Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Significant duration of over 8 years suggests a complex and ongoing project. 3. The contract was awarded to Engility Corporation, a known defense contractor. 4. Awarded as a Delivery Order under a larger contract vehicle. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 6. The base contract had 5 offers, indicating a competitive initial bidding process.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount of $37.2 million for a period spanning over 8 years (September 2005 to September 2013) for R&D services appears to be within a reasonable range for complex defense-related research. However, without specific details on the deliverables and the scope of work, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not rigorously monitored.
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 a bid. The base contract received 5 offers, suggesting a moderate level of competition at the initial stage. However, this specific award is a Delivery Order, and the competition details for this particular order are not explicitly provided in the data.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple bidders to offer competitive pricing, potentially leading to better value. The initial 5 offers suggest a healthy market response.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense and its various branches, receiving advanced research and development services. Services delivered are in the realm of physical, engineering, and life sciences, crucial for national security and technological advancement. The geographic impact is centered around the contractor's location in San Diego, California, and the agency's operations. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, and support staff at Engility Corporation and potentially its subcontractors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize contractor to increase costs to maximize fee.
- Long contract duration increases the risk of scope creep and cost overruns.
- Limited information on specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess effectiveness.
- The data does not specify if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent initial process.
- The base contract received multiple offers, indicating market interest and potential for competitive pricing.
- The contract supports critical Research and Development for the Department of Defense.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for defense agencies like the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), which aims to counter weapons of mass destruction. Spending in this sector is often characterized by long-term projects, high innovation potential, and significant investment. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific R&D area, but defense R&D is a multi-billion dollar segment of federal spending.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss=false, sb=false). There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans or performance. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not discernible from this data alone, though larger prime contractors are often encouraged or required to subcontract with small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the Department of Defense. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight and performance monitoring are crucial to ensure funds are used efficiently and effectively. Transparency would be facilitated through contract reporting mechanisms, but specific details on IG involvement or public transparency measures are not provided.
Related Government Programs
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency Contracts
- Research and Development Services
- Department of Defense R&D Spending
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contracts
- Engility Corporation Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent risk of cost escalation.
- Long contract duration increases potential for scope creep and budget overruns.
- Limited detail on specific deliverables and performance metrics hinders full assessment.
- Contractor transition (Titan to Engility) could introduce risks if not managed properly.
Tags
department-of-defense, defense-threat-reduction-agency, research-and-development, physical-engineering-life-sciences, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, california, engility-corporation, titan-corporation, long-term-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $37.3 million to ENGILITY CORPORATION. 200512!502570!9700!HDTRA1!DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY !DTRA0103D0013 !A!N! !N!0011 ! !20050928!20101002!048341838!048341838!008898843!N!THE TITAN CORPORATION !3033 SCIENCE PARK ROAD !SAN DIEGO !CA!92121!12748!037!06!CHATSWORTH !LOS ANGELES !CALIFORNIA!+000000506205!N!N!000000000000!AD92!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-APPLIED RESEARCH !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !541710!E! !5!B!M! !A!C!200
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ENGILITY CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Threat Reduction Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $37.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-09-28. End: 2013-09-30.
What specific R&D projects were undertaken under this contract?
The provided data identifies the contract's purpose as 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' and assigns the NAICS code 541710. However, it does not detail the specific projects, research areas, or scientific objectives pursued under this particular contract. To understand the specific R&D activities, one would need to consult the contract's statement of work (SOW) or related documentation from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). These details are typically found in contract award files or agency procurement databases.
How does the $37.2 million award compare to similar R&D contracts awarded by DTRA or the DoD?
Comparing the $37.2 million award requires context regarding the contract's duration (over 8 years) and scope. For long-term, complex R&D efforts in specialized areas like defense threat reduction, this amount could be considered moderate. However, without knowing the specific technological advancements or research outcomes expected, a direct comparison is difficult. DTRA and other DoD entities award a wide range of R&D contracts, from small, focused studies to multi-billion dollar programs. This contract appears to be a significant, but not exceptionally large, investment for its duration and stated purpose.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract of this nature?
The primary risk with a CPFF contract is the potential for cost overruns. While the contractor is paid their actual costs plus a fixed fee, there is less incentive for the contractor to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts. If the scope of work expands or unforeseen challenges arise, costs can escalate. For the government, effective oversight and robust management are critical to ensure the contractor remains efficient and that the fixed fee remains appropriate for the work performed. The long duration of this contract (over 8 years) amplifies these risks, necessitating continuous monitoring.
What was the track record of The Titan Corporation (original awardee) and Engility Corporation (contractor) in R&D prior to this contract?
The data indicates the original awardee was 'THE TITAN CORPORATION' and the current contractor is 'ENGILITY CORPORATION'. Titan Corporation was acquired by L-3 Communications in 2005. Engility Corporation later spun off from L-3 Technologies in 2012 and subsequently merged with SAIC in 2019. Without access to historical contract databases or performance reviews specific to these entities during the contract period (2005-2013), it's difficult to assess their R&D track record comprehensively. However, both were established entities in the defense contracting space, suggesting they possessed relevant capabilities.
How has federal spending on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences evolved since this contract was awarded?
Federal spending on R&D, particularly within defense, has generally seen fluctuations but has remained a significant priority. Since the award period (2005-2013), defense R&D has continued to be a major component of the federal budget, driven by evolving geopolitical landscapes and technological advancements. While specific figures for the 'physical, engineering, and life sciences' category within defense R&D would require detailed analysis of historical budget data (e.g., from NSF, OSTP, or DoD budget reports), overall trends indicate sustained investment, with potential increases during periods of heightened national security concerns or technological competition.
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
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Address: 3750 CENTERVIEW DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DTRA0103D0013
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-09-28
Current End Date: 2013-09-30
Potential End Date: 2013-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-03-28
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