DoD's $62.6M R&D Contract with URS Federal Services Faced Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $62,588,072 ($62.6M)
Contractor: URS Federal Services Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-08-23
End Date: 2010-08-22
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $57.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: R&D
Official Description: CR 1741
Place of Performance
Location: SHREWSBURY, MONMOUTH County, NEW JERSEY, 07702, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $62.6 million to URS FEDERAL SERVICES INC. for work described as: CR 1741 Key points: 1. The contract value of $62.6 million for R&D services is substantial. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract was awarded under a Time and Materials pricing structure. 4. The sector is Research and Development, a critical area for innovation.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific service details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery. However, the Time and Materials contract type may limit the effectiveness of price competition over the contract's lifecycle.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used in a competitive process, but the T&M structure introduces potential for cost escalation.
Public Impact
This contract supports research and development, potentially leading to advancements in defense capabilities. The award to URS Federal Services Inc. highlights the role of private contractors in government R&D. The duration of the contract (3 years) indicates a significant, long-term investment in research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing risk
- Potential for scope creep in R&D
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized
- Supports critical R&D sector
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement but can be prone to cost variability due to the nature of research.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific involvement or set-aside for small businesses in this contract. Larger prime contractors often manage significant portions of these awards.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would be critical to manage the Time and Materials aspect of this contract, ensuring that the R&D objectives are met efficiently and within reasonable cost parameters.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials pricing structure
- Lack of specific R&D project details
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited insight into performance metrics
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, nj, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $62.6 million to URS FEDERAL SERVICES INC.. CR 1741
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is URS FEDERAL SERVICES INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $62.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-08-23. End: 2010-08-22.
What specific R&D projects were undertaken, and what were the key deliverables or outcomes?
The provided data lacks specifics on the actual research projects. Understanding the deliverables and outcomes is crucial for assessing the true value and effectiveness of the $62.6 million investment. Without this, it's difficult to determine if the funds were used for impactful advancements or routine research.
How effectively was the Time and Materials pricing structure managed to control costs and prevent overruns?
The Time and Materials (T&M) structure inherently carries a risk of cost escalation. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours and material costs, and clear milestones are essential to mitigate this risk. Without detailed reporting on cost controls and variance analysis, it's challenging to assess the management effectiveness.
Did the full and open competition result in a demonstrably better price or quality compared to other potential contracting methods?
While full and open competition is generally preferred for achieving competitive pricing, the T&M structure can complicate direct price comparisons. The initial competition likely secured a competitive rate for URS Federal Services Inc., but the ultimate value depends on the efficiency and necessity of the hours and materials expended throughout the contract's duration.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: AECOM (UEI: 153561212)
Address: 20501 SENECA MEADOWS PKWY STE 300, GERMANTOWN, MD, 20876
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $104,373,338
Exercised Options: $67,904,798
Current Obligation: $62,588,072
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DAAB0703DB010
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-08-23
Current End Date: 2010-08-22
Potential End Date: 2010-08-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-05-20
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