Alion Science and Technology Corp. awarded $19.98M for R&D services, with a 1677-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,976,170 ($20.0M)

Contractor: Alion Science and Technology Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-02-18

End Date: 2009-09-22

Contract Duration: 1,677 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Place of Performance

Location: BURR RIDGE, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60527, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.0 million to ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust market. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 3. Performance period spans over 4.5 years, indicating a long-term need for services. 4. The award is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 5. The contractor, Alion Science and Technology Corporation, has a significant federal contract history. 6. The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, a major DoD component.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while flexible, carries inherent risks for cost overruns if not managed diligently. Comparing it to similar R&D contracts would require detailed scope of work analysis. The total award amount of $19.98 million over 1677 days averages to approximately $11,912 per day, which could be reasonable or high depending on the complexity and criticality of the research.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 6 bids (implied by 'no': 6) suggests a competitive environment. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive award process as it is more likely to result in a fair market price and encourage innovation among bidders.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense and its various branches, receiving advanced research and development services. Services delivered include research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences, potentially leading to technological advancements. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting national defense initiatives. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, and technical staff within Alion Science and Technology Corporation and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost escalation if not closely monitored.
Long contract duration (1677 days) increases the risk of scope creep or evolving requirements.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess true value for money.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive marketplace.
Contractor has a history of federal awards, suggesting experience and capability.
The contract supports critical R&D functions for the Department of Defense.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This sector is crucial for national security and technological advancement. The market for R&D services within the defense sector is substantial, with numerous large and small businesses competing for government contracts. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific scientific disciplines and research objectives.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Alion Science and Technology Corporation, may still engage small businesses as subcontractors based on their own procurement strategies.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program management office within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance requirements and milestones. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may be less publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Contracts
Alion Science and Technology Corporation Federal Contracts
Army R&D Services
Time and Materials Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Risk of scope creep over the long contract duration.
Need for strong government oversight to ensure efficient use of labor hours.
Difficulty in benchmarking value without specific performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.0 million to ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-02-18. End: 2009-09-22.

What is Alion Science and Technology Corporation's track record with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Defense?

Alion Science and Technology Corporation has a substantial history of receiving federal contracts, primarily from the Department of Defense. Their portfolio includes a wide range of services, often focusing on research, development, engineering, and technical support. While specific performance metrics for past contracts are not detailed here, their consistent award of significant contracts suggests a proven capability to meet government requirements. Analyzing their past performance data, including any reported issues or successes, would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and effectiveness as a federal contractor. Their extensive experience indicates a deep understanding of government procurement processes and R&D needs.

How does the $19.98 million award compare to similar R&D contracts awarded by the Department of the Army?

Comparing this $19.98 million award requires a detailed analysis of the specific R&D scope and duration against other contracts. The Department of the Army awards numerous R&D contracts annually across various scientific and engineering disciplines. Contracts for basic research might be smaller, while those for advanced development or system integration could be significantly larger. The 1677-day duration (over 4.5 years) suggests a mid-to-long-term project. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify contracts with similar technical objectives, complexity, and contract types (Time and Materials). Without such granular data, it's difficult to definitively state if $19.98 million represents a high, low, or average value for this type of R&D effort.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for R&D services?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for R&D services is cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can lead to cost overruns if the project scope is not well-defined, if labor hours are inefficiently used, or if material costs escalate unexpectedly. For R&D, where the path to a solution can be uncertain, T&M offers flexibility but requires rigorous oversight from the government to manage labor effort and prevent scope creep. Without strong government project management and clear milestones, the total cost can exceed initial estimates significantly.

What does the 'full and open competition' designation imply for the effectiveness of this contract's pricing?

The 'full and open competition' designation implies that the government solicited offers from all responsible sources and that the contract was awarded to the responsible offeror whose proposal, conforming to the solicitation, was most advantageous to the government, price and other factors considered. This process generally leads to more effective pricing because it allows multiple companies to compete, driving down costs and encouraging innovation. The presence of multiple bids (6 in this case) suggests a competitive market, which typically results in prices closer to fair market value. Taxpayers benefit from this as it reduces the likelihood of paying inflated prices and ensures the government receives good value for its investment.

How does the contract's duration of 1677 days impact the potential for R&D project success and cost management?

A duration of 1677 days (approximately 4.5 years) for an R&D contract indicates a significant, long-term commitment. For R&D, such a duration can be beneficial, allowing ample time for complex research, experimentation, and development cycles. It provides stability for the contractor and allows for deeper exploration of scientific challenges. However, it also introduces risks. Over such a long period, project requirements can evolve, technologies may change, and the initial assumptions might become outdated. Effective cost management requires robust change control processes and regular re-evaluation of the project's direction and resource needs to prevent cost creep and ensure the R&D remains relevant and aligned with evolving strategic goals.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) for this contract?

The NAICS code 541710 signifies that this contract is specifically for research and development activities within the physical sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, materials science), engineering disciplines (e.g., aerospace, mechanical, electrical), and life sciences (e.g., biology, biotechnology, medical research). This classification helps categorize the contract within the broader federal spending landscape and allows for comparison with other R&D efforts in similar fields. It indicates that the work involves systematic study to gain new knowledge or understanding, potentially leading to the development of new technologies, products, or processes relevant to national defense and security.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: W15P7T05RB209

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10 W 35TH ST, CHICAGO, IL, 60616

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DAAB0703DC213

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline