DoD's $57.5M R&D contract to OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC awarded via full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $57,495,229 ($57.5M)

Contractor: Oasis Systems, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-02-13

End Date: 2013-04-17

Contract Duration: 1,890 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: PASS IDIQ BASIC AWARD

Place of Performance

Location: BURLINGTON, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01803

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $57.5 million to OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC for work described as: PASS IDIQ BASIC AWARD Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC is the primary contractor. 3. The contract was competed under full and open competition. 4. This is a Delivery Order under an IDIQ contract. 5. The contract duration was 1890 days. 6. The contract type is Cost No Fee. 7. The award was made by the Department of the Air Force. 8. The NAICS code indicates a focus on R&D outside of biotechnology.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns and comparison to similar R&D efforts. The Cost No Fee (CNF) contract type suggests that the government is primarily concerned with the research effort itself rather than specific profit margins, but it can sometimes lead to less incentive for cost control by the contractor. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and milestones achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES', indicating a competitive process where all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 10 bids (no=10) suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement, which typically benefits price discovery and can lead to more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition indicates that taxpayer dollars were likely used efficiently, as multiple companies vied to provide the best value, potentially driving down costs and improving the quality of research outcomes.

Public Impact

This contract supports advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences research for the Department of Defense. The research outcomes could lead to new technologies or improved defense capabilities. The contract was awarded to OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC, impacting their workforce and operations. The geographic impact is primarily within Massachusetts, where the contractor is located. The specific scientific and technological advancements are not detailed but fall under a broad R&D category.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost No Fee contract type may reduce contractor incentive for cost efficiency.
Limited information on specific R&D deliverables makes value assessment difficult.
The 'EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause warrants further investigation into why certain sources might have been excluded.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition with 10 bids, indicating strong market interest.
Contract supports critical R&D for the Department of the Air Force.
The contractor, OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC, has secured a significant federal award.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences (NAICS 541712). This sector is characterized by innovation and intellectual property generation. Federal spending in R&D is crucial for national security, technological advancement, and economic competitiveness. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other R&D contracts within the Department of Defense and across other federal agencies for similar scientific disciplines.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (sb=false). There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. As a Delivery Order under an IDIQ, the underlying contract likely has established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is moderate, with basic award data available, but detailed performance metrics and cost reporting are usually internal or require specific Freedom of Information Act requests. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Air Force Science and Technology Investments
IDIQ Contract Vehicles
Research and Development Services

Risk Flags

Cost Control Concerns (CNF Contract Type)
Uncertainty of R&D Outcomes
Potential for Scope Creep over Contract Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $57.5 million to OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC. PASS IDIQ BASIC AWARD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $57.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-02-13. End: 2013-04-17.

What specific research projects were undertaken under this delivery order, and what were their key outcomes?

The provided data does not detail the specific research projects undertaken or their outcomes. This information would typically be found in contractor performance reports, technical documentation, or program reviews conducted by the Department of the Air Force. Understanding the nature of the R&D (e.g., materials science, aerospace engineering, computational modeling) and the tangible results (e.g., prototypes, patents, scientific publications, improved processes) is crucial for a comprehensive value assessment. Without this, the $57.5 million investment's direct impact remains abstract.

How does the Cost No Fee (CNF) contract type influence contractor performance and cost management in this R&D context?

A Cost No Fee (CNF) contract type means the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs but does not receive any fee or profit. This structure is often used in R&D where the outcome is uncertain or when the government wants to ensure the focus is purely on the research effort rather than profit maximization. However, it can potentially reduce the contractor's incentive to control costs rigorously, as their profit is not tied to efficiency. Oversight becomes critical to ensure costs remain reasonable and necessary for achieving the research objectives.

What is the track record of OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC in performing similar R&D contracts for the federal government?

The provided data identifies OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC as the contractor but does not offer details on their past performance or track record with federal R&D contracts. A thorough analysis would require examining contract databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for previous awards to OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC, their performance ratings (if available), and the types of R&D services they have previously provided. Understanding their history with similar projects, especially those involving Cost No Fee or complex scientific research, would provide valuable context for assessing their capability and reliability on this specific award.

How does the $57.5 million award compare to typical federal spending on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences?

The $57.5 million award represents a significant investment in a single delivery order. Federal spending on R&D is substantial, with agencies like the Department of Defense, NSF, and NIH allocating billions annually. For the Department of Defense specifically, R&D spending supports a wide array of programs. While $57.5 million is a considerable sum for one contract, it needs to be contextualized within the overall DoD R&D budget and the scope of the research. Comparing it to other large-scale R&D contracts within the same NAICS code (541712) or similar scientific domains would provide a better benchmark for its relative size and significance.

What risks are associated with a multi-year R&D contract awarded under an IDIQ vehicle?

Risks associated with a multi-year R&D contract under an IDIQ include potential scope creep, evolving technological requirements, contractor performance issues, and budget fluctuations. For R&D, the inherent uncertainty of achieving desired outcomes is a primary risk. The IDIQ structure itself, while offering flexibility, can sometimes lead to less defined requirements upfront compared to a standalone contract. Ensuring continuous government oversight, clear milestone definitions, and adaptive management strategies are crucial to mitigate these risks over the contract's lifespan.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 24 HARTWELL AVE, LEXINGTON, MA, 02421

Business Categories: Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $161,301,086

Exercised Options: $71,498,755

Current Obligation: $57,495,229

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA872107D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline