DoD's $14.8M Other Direct Costs for Academi Training Center LLC in 2020, Research & Development Sector
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,844,659 ($14.8M)
Contractor: Academi Training Center LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2008-08-29
End Date: 2009-09-30
Contract Duration: 397 days
Daily Burn Rate: $37.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 13
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT
Sector: R&D
Official Description: OTHER DIRECT COSTS - BASE YEAR TAS::21 2020::TAS
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $14.8 million to ACADEMI TRAINING CENTER LLC for work described as: OTHER DIRECT COSTS - BASE YEAR TAS::21 2020::TAS Key points: 1. Spending focused on R&D, specifically in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Contract awarded to Academi Training Center LLC under full and open competition. 3. Fixed Price Level of Effort contract type suggests clear scope but potential for cost overruns if effort exceeds estimates. 4. The 'Other Direct Costs' category can be broad, requiring further breakdown for precise value assessment.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The 'Other Direct Costs' category is difficult to benchmark without specific line-item details. The total award value of $14.8M for a single base year is substantial for R&D services, but its value is contingent on the specific research outcomes and deliverables.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing, though the specific pricing structure (Fixed Price Level of Effort) needs careful monitoring.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests taxpayers likely received a fair price, but the efficiency of the spending depends on the actual research outcomes achieved.
Public Impact
Research and Development funding supports innovation and technological advancement. The contract's focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences could lead to advancements in critical areas. Transparency in 'Other Direct Costs' is crucial for public understanding of how funds are utilized. The duration and value of the contract warrant attention to ensure project milestones are met efficiently.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed breakdown for 'Other Direct Costs'.
- Potential for cost inefficiencies in Fixed Price Level of Effort contracts.
- Limited information on specific R&D outcomes and their impact.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Contract supports critical Research and Development activities.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541710. Spending in this sector is vital for innovation but can be complex to evaluate due to the intangible nature of research outcomes. Benchmarking is challenging without specific project details.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as 'sb' is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were provided to small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would focus on ensuring the 'Other Direct Costs' are justified, reasonable, and directly related to the research objectives. Monitoring the contractor's progress against the level of effort and deliverables is key to accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown for 'Other Direct Costs'.
- Potential for cost overruns or underperformance in Fixed Price Level of Effort contracts.
- Limited visibility into the specific R&D projects and their scientific/technical merit.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $14.8 million to ACADEMI TRAINING CENTER LLC. OTHER DIRECT COSTS - BASE YEAR TAS::21 2020::TAS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ACADEMI TRAINING CENTER LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $14.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-08-29. End: 2009-09-30.
What specific research and development activities were funded by the $14.8M in 'Other Direct Costs'?
The provided data categorizes $14.8M as 'Other Direct Costs' for the base year under a Fixed Price Level of Effort contract for Research and Development. Without further details, the specific activities remain unspecified. These costs could encompass materials, equipment usage, travel, or other direct expenses necessary for conducting the research, but a precise breakdown is absent.
What are the primary risks associated with a Fixed Price Level of Effort contract for R&D?
A key risk is that the contractor may expend the full level of effort without achieving the desired research outcomes, leading to inefficient spending. Conversely, if the effort required is significantly underestimated, the contractor might cut corners to stay within the fixed price. Ensuring clear deliverables and performance metrics is crucial to mitigate these risks.
How effectively is this spending likely to advance the Department of the Army's R&D objectives?
The effectiveness hinges on the alignment of the contracted research with the Army's strategic goals and the quality of the research conducted by Academi Training Center LLC. While the competitive award suggests a potentially good choice of vendor, the ultimate effectiveness cannot be determined solely from contract data. Success metrics and tangible research outputs are needed for a full assessment.
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 › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: W9113M06R0014
Offers Received: 13
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT (B)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Constellis Holdings, LLC (UEI: 966133477)
Address: 850 PUDDIN RIDGE RD, MOYOCK, NC, 27958
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,756,789
Exercised Options: $17,756,789
Current Obligation: $14,844,659
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W9113M07D0005
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-08-29
Current End Date: 2009-09-30
Potential End Date: 2009-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-10-20
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