DoD's $17.8M R&D contract to URS Federal Services Inc. for specialized research services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,806,387 ($17.8M)
Contractor: URS Federal Services Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-09-12
End Date: 2009-09-07
Contract Duration: 726 days
Daily Burn Rate: $24.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: R&D
Official Description: CR-1693, TO 0171 LSI
Place of Performance
Location: SHREWSBURY, MONMOUTH County, NEW JERSEY, 07702, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $17.8 million to URS FEDERAL SERVICES INC. for work described as: CR-1693, TO 0171 LSI Key points: 1. Contract awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a broad search for qualified bidders. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely. 3. Performance period of 726 days (approx. 2 years) indicates a medium-term engagement for the research services. 4. The contract was awarded to a single entity, URS Federal Services Inc., for the entirety of the value. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541710 points to research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 6. The contract was awarded in New Jersey, potentially impacting the local economy and workforce.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this specific $17.8 million contract is challenging without detailed scope of work and deliverables. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while flexible, carries inherent risks for cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts. The absence of specific performance metrics or comparison data makes a definitive value assessment difficult, but the duration and value suggest a significant research undertaking.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that the Department of Defense sought proposals from all responsible sources. The number of bidders is not specified, but this approach generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovation. The broad competition aims to ensure the government receives the best value by considering a wide range of capabilities.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the most effective and cost-efficient research services available in the market.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is the Department of Defense, which receives specialized research and development services. The services delivered are related to physical, engineering, and life sciences research, contributing to technological advancement. The geographic impact is centered in New Jersey, where the contractor is located and likely where the work is performed. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for scientists, engineers, and support staff within URS Federal Services Inc. 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.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the direct impact of the research.
- Limited information on the number of bidders in the 'full and open competition' makes it hard to gauge the intensity of competition.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under 'full and open competition,' suggesting a robust and inclusive bidding process.
- The contract supports critical research and development activities for the Department of Defense.
- The contractor, URS Federal Services Inc., likely possesses specialized expertise required for the R&D scope.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541710, which covers R&D in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. This sector is characterized by innovation, specialized expertise, and often long-term projects. Government spending in this area is crucial for national security, technological advancement, and economic competitiveness. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale R&D contracts awarded by defense agencies for similar scientific pursuits.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement for this award (ss: false, sb: false). While URS Federal Services Inc. is a large entity, there is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans to small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore not directly quantifiable from this data alone, but large prime contracts can sometimes create opportunities for small business subcontractors if actively pursued.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance clauses and deliverables. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
- Army Research Laboratory Contracts
- Scientific and Technical Services Contracts
- Engineering and Technical Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
- Limited transparency on the number of bidders in the competitive process.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, research-and-development, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition, urs-federal-services-inc, new-jersey, large-contract, scientific-research
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $17.8 million to URS FEDERAL SERVICES INC.. CR-1693, TO 0171 LSI
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 $17.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-09-12. End: 2009-09-07.
What specific research areas were covered under this contract?
The contract falls under NAICS code 541710, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.' While the specific sub-disciplines are not detailed in the provided data, this broad classification suggests the research could encompass a wide range of scientific and technical fields relevant to national defense. Examples might include materials science, advanced engineering, cybersecurity research, biotechnology, or physics-based investigations. The 'CR-1693, TO 0171 LSI' designation might offer further clues within specific DoD research program documentation, but without access to that context, the precise research focus remains general.
How does the $17.8 million value compare to similar R&D contracts in the physical, engineering, and life sciences sector?
The $17.8 million value for a two-year R&D contract is substantial but not extraordinary within the context of large federal research endeavors. The Department of Defense, in particular, frequently awards contracts in the tens or hundreds of millions for advanced R&D projects. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze contracts with similar NAICS codes (541710), similar agencies (e.g., DoD, NSF, DoE), and similar durations. However, this award represents a significant investment in a specific research capability, placing it in the mid-to-large tier for individual R&D task orders or contracts.
What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for R&D?
Time and Materials contracts, like the one awarded here (PT: TIME AND MATERIALS), carry inherent risks for the government, primarily related to cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual cost of labor (at specified hourly rates) and materials, plus a fee or profit. This structure can lead to cost overruns if the scope of work is not well-defined, if project timelines extend unexpectedly, or if labor hours are not diligently tracked and managed. For R&D, where the path to discovery can be uncertain, T&M offers flexibility but requires robust oversight to prevent uncontrolled spending and ensure value for taxpayer money.
What is the track record of URS Federal Services Inc. in securing and performing government R&D contracts?
URS Federal Services Inc. has a history of performing government contracts, including those in research and development. As a subsidiary of AECOM, it has access to significant resources and expertise. While the provided data snippet doesn't detail their specific performance history on this particular contract (e.g., quality, timeliness, budget adherence), their continued ability to win competitive bids suggests a generally positive track record. A deeper analysis would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, contract modifications, and any disputes or terminations associated with their government awards.
How does the 'full and open competition' award mechanism impact the cost-effectiveness for taxpayers?
Awarding contracts under 'full and open competition' is generally considered beneficial for taxpayers. This approach mandates that the government solicit proposals from all responsible sources, maximizing the pool of potential bidders. A larger number of bidders typically intensifies competition, driving down prices and encouraging innovation as companies vie for the contract. While the specific number of bidders for this $17.8 million DoD contract isn't provided, the mechanism itself is designed to ensure the government explores the market thoroughly, thereby increasing the likelihood of securing the best possible value and preventing inflated costs that might arise from limited competition.
What is the significance of the contract being awarded in New Jersey?
The contract's award location in New Jersey (ST: NJ, SN: NEW JERSEY) signifies a direct economic impact on that state. It implies that URS Federal Services Inc. likely has a presence or operational base there, leading to job creation for researchers, engineers, and support staff within the region. Furthermore, it suggests that a portion of the $17.8 million federal spending will flow into the New Jersey economy through salaries, procurement from local suppliers, and associated business activities. This localized economic stimulus is a common outcome of federal contract awards.
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: 1
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: $20,327,071
Exercised Options: $17,806,387
Current Obligation: $17,806,387
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DAAB0703DB010
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-09-12
Current End Date: 2009-09-07
Potential End Date: 2009-09-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-05-20
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