DoD's $45M R&D contract to OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC awarded via full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,043,506 ($45.0M)

Contractor: Oasis Systems, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-04-07

End Date: 2013-04-23

Contract Duration: 1,842 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.5K/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: LEXINGTON, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02421

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $45.0 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, the contractor, has secured this significant award. 3. The contract was competed under a full and open competition model. 4. This award represents a delivery order under a larger IDIQ contract. 5. The contract duration spans over 1800 days. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541712.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar R&D efforts. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type suggests that the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs, but the fee structure is not detailed here. Further analysis would require access to the contract's detailed cost proposals and performance reports to assess if the pricing was competitive and delivered good value for the research outcomes.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a broad solicitation process. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, this approach generally fosters a competitive environment, allowing multiple qualified vendors to propose solutions. The level of competition is expected to drive more favorable pricing and innovative approaches for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value through a wider pool of potential offerors and potentially lower prices due to competitive pressures.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from advanced research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. This contract supports innovation and technological advancement within the defense sector. The research outcomes could lead to improved defense capabilities and national security. The contract's impact on the workforce is likely concentrated among specialized R&D professionals employed by OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes value assessment difficult.
Contract type 'COST NO FEE' requires careful monitoring of allowable costs.
Limited information on specific R&D deliverables and their impact.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Contractor is OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC, a known entity in the contracting space.
The contract supports critical R&D for the Department of Defense.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences (excluding biotechnology). This is a critical area for defense modernization, where significant government investment is directed towards developing new technologies and improving existing ones. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within broader R&D spending reports for the Department of Defense or specific research initiatives.

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 or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The focus remains on larger prime contractors capable of fulfilling complex R&D requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting agency, the Department of the Air Force, through its contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery of research outcomes as specified in the contract. Transparency is facilitated by contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
IDIQ Contracts
Delivery Orders
NAICS 541712 Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Control Risk (Cost No Fee)
Technical Uncertainty in R&D
Schedule Adherence Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $45.0 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 $45.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-04-07. End: 2013-04-23.

What is the track record of OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC with federal contracts, particularly in R&D?

OASIS SYSTEMS, LLC has a history of receiving federal contracts, as indicated by this award. To fully assess their track record, a deeper dive into their contract performance history across various agencies and contract types would be necessary. This would involve examining past performance reviews, any documented disputes or terminations, and their success rate in delivering on R&D objectives. Without this granular data, it's difficult to definitively characterize their overall performance beyond their ability to secure this specific award.

How does the value of this delivery order compare to similar R&D contracts awarded by the Department of Defense?

Direct comparison of this $45 million delivery order to similar R&D contracts is challenging without more specific context on the nature of the research, its scope, and duration. R&D projects can vary widely in cost based on complexity, required expertise, and expected outcomes. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify contracts with similar NAICS codes (541712), similar agencies (DoD components), and comparable project timelines. Analyzing the 'COST NO FEE' structure is also crucial, as it differs from fixed-price contracts and impacts how value is assessed.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of R&D contract?

Key risks for this R&D contract include technical risk (the research may not yield the desired outcomes or breakthroughs), cost overrun risk (especially with cost-reimbursable elements, even if 'NO FEE'), schedule delays (R&D is inherently uncertain), and contractor performance risk (failure to meet milestones or quality standards). Given the 'COST NO FEE' structure, there's also a risk that the contractor might not be adequately incentivized to control costs beyond recovering allowable expenses, necessitating robust oversight from the government.

How effective has the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method been for this contract?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method aims to maximize competition while potentially streamlining the process by excluding certain sources upfront, perhaps based on pre-qualification. Its effectiveness hinges on whether a sufficient number of capable vendors participated and submitted competitive proposals. While it suggests a broader reach than a sole-source award, the specific number of bidders and the quality of proposals received would determine if it truly achieved the best possible value and innovation for the government in this instance.

What is the historical spending pattern for NAICS code 541712 within the Department of the Air Force?

Historical spending for NAICS code 541712 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) within the Department of the Air Force is substantial, reflecting the agency's continuous need for technological advancement. Analyzing past spending trends would reveal fluctuations based on strategic priorities, budget allocations, and specific research initiatives. This contract, valued at approximately $45 million, represents one component of that broader spending. Understanding these patterns helps contextualize the current award and forecast future R&D investments.

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: $386,196,649

Exercised Options: $69,852,733

Current Obligation: $45,043,506

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA872107D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline