DoD's $119M R&D Contract for Basic Research Awarded to Alion Science & Technology
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,142,770 ($28.1M)
Contractor: IIT Research Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2006-09-28
End Date: 2010-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,463 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: 200612!525584!1700!N61339!NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER !N6133903D0300 !A!N! !N!0174 ! !20060928!20090531!119162332!119162332!119162332!N!ALION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COR!10 W 35TH ST !CHICAGO !IL!60616!84000!099!26!WARREN !MACOMB !MICHIGAN !+000000076951!N!N!000000000000!AD21!RDTE/SERVICES-BASIC RESEARCH !S1 !SERVICES !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !541710!E! !5!A!S! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !A!U!U!2!002!B! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !C!C!A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! !21X7!W56HZW!0001! !
Place of Performance
Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60601
State: Illinois Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $28.1 million to IIT RESEARCH INSTITUTE for work described as: 200612!525584!1700!N61339!NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER !N6133903D0300 !A!N! !N!0174 ! !20060928!20090531!119162332!119162332!119162332!N!ALION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COR!10 W 35TH ST !CHICAGO !IL!60616!84000!099!26!WARREN !MACO… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for basic research services in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is over 4 years, indicating a significant, long-term project. 4. The sector is Research and Development, a critical area for technological advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value is $119,162,332. Without specific cost breakdowns or benchmarks for similar basic research contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess value. However, the duration and scope suggest a substantial investment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more competitive pricing. The use of 'Delivery Order' suggests this might be part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is positive for taxpayers, as it aims to secure the best value. However, the specific cost-effectiveness of basic research is inherently difficult to quantify upfront.
Public Impact
Supports advancement in critical scientific and technological fields. Potential for new innovations and discoveries with broad applications. Funds allocated to a private sector entity for government-funded research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed performance metrics or outcomes in the provided data.
- Basic research outcomes are inherently uncertain and may not yield immediate practical applications.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports critical R&D for national security.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on basic research. Spending in this area is crucial for long-term technological superiority but is often characterized by high uncertainty and long lead times for tangible results.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses. The prime contractor, Alion Science & Technology, is a large business, suggesting limited direct opportunities for small businesses unless they are subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the Naval Air Warfare Center, ensuring adherence to contract terms and research objectives. The 'AD21' designation might relate to specific oversight or program management protocols.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Uncertainty of basic research outcomes.
- Long-term nature of R&D projects.
- Potential for cost overruns in research environments.
- Difficulty in measuring direct impact and ROI.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, il, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $28.1 million to IIT RESEARCH INSTITUTE. 200612!525584!1700!N61339!NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER !N6133903D0300 !A!N! !N!0174 ! !20060928!20090531!119162332!119162332!119162332!N!ALION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COR!10 W 35TH ST !CHICAGO !IL!60616!84000!099!26!WARREN !MACOMB !MICHIGAN !+000000076951!N!N!000000000000!AD21!RDTE/SERVICES-BASIC RESEARCH !S1 !SERVICES !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !541710!E! !5!A!S! ! ! !999
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is IIT RESEARCH INSTITUTE.
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 $28.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-09-28. End: 2010-09-30.
What are the specific research objectives and expected deliverables for this basic research contract?
The provided data lacks specific details on the research objectives and expected deliverables. Basic research aims to advance fundamental knowledge, with outcomes often being scientific understanding rather than immediate products. Further documentation would be needed to ascertain the precise goals and anticipated outcomes of this particular contract.
How does the cost of this contract compare to similar basic research efforts within the DoD?
Benchmarking this contract's cost is challenging without access to comparable basic research contracts. Factors like the specific scientific domain, the expertise required, and the duration significantly influence pricing. A detailed cost analysis would require comparing the proposed labor rates, overhead, and project scope against similar government-funded research initiatives.
What is the potential return on investment for this basic research contract, considering its long-term nature?
The return on investment for basic research is inherently long-term and often indirect, focusing on foundational knowledge that can spur future technological breakthroughs. While immediate ROI is not expected, successful research could lead to significant advancements in defense capabilities or dual-use technologies, ultimately providing substantial long-term value.
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 › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Address: 10 WEST 35TH STREET, CHICAGO, IL, 60616
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N6133903D0300
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-09-28
Current End Date: 2010-09-30
Potential End Date: 2010-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-04-01
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