CORCORAN ENGINEERING, INC. awarded $1.25M for R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences by Dept. of the Interior

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,249,636 ($1.2M)

Contractor: Corcoran Engineering, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-08-30

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,066 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: STTR PHASE II - DARPA TOPIC NO. HR001121S0007-29

Place of Performance

Location: WALTHAM, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02453

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $1.2 million to CORCORAN ENGINEERING, INC. for work described as: STTR PHASE II - DARPA TOPIC NO. HR001121S0007-29 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control but requires careful oversight. 3. The duration of 1066 days indicates a significant, long-term research and development effort. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 points to specialized R&D services. 5. The contract is a definitive contract, typically used for complex or long-term requirements. 6. The award was made by the Departmental Offices, indicating a high-level departmental need.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific R&D contract is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns and performance metrics. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure means the government pays actual costs plus a fixed fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Comparing it to similar STTR Phase II contracts would require access to a broader dataset of R&D awards with comparable technical scopes and contractor capabilities. The fixed fee component, while not explicitly stated in the provided data, is a key factor in assessing contractor incentive and overall value.

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,' which implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on certain criteria. The presence of 6 bidders (no) suggests a moderate level of competition. The effectiveness of this competition in driving down costs and ensuring the best value is contingent on the clarity of the solicitation and the evaluation criteria used.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple firms to offer their best solutions and pricing. The fact that six entities bid indicates that the opportunity was attractive enough to warrant significant effort from multiple R&D providers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of the Interior and potentially other government agencies that can leverage the R&D outcomes. The services delivered are focused on advanced research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The geographic impact is not specified but is likely concentrated where CORCORAN ENGINEERING, INC. operates. Workforce implications may include specialized R&D personnel employed by the contractor and potentially government oversight staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and the fixed fee is justified.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants further investigation to understand the rationale and potential impact on competition.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and success of the R&D effort post-award.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a full and open competition process, indicating an effort to solicit a wide range of potential offerors.
The contract is for Research and Development, aligning with government objectives to foster innovation and technological advancement.
The contractor, CORCORAN ENGINEERING, INC., is likely specialized in the R&D domain specified by the DARPA topic.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715. This sector is characterized by innovation, intellectual property generation, and often long development cycles. Government spending in R&D is crucial for national security, economic competitiveness, and scientific advancement. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other R&D contracts awarded by agencies like DARPA, NSF, or specific military branches for similar technological areas.

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 for small businesses arising from a set-aside provision. However, the prime contractor may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their overall project execution strategy, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Interior's contracting and program management offices. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates robust financial and performance monitoring to ensure costs are reasonable and the fixed fee is earned. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements stipulated in the contract. The Inspector General for the Department of the Interior would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
DARPA Research Programs
Department of the Interior Research Initiatives
Federal R&D Spending

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract requires robust oversight.
Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $1.2 million to CORCORAN ENGINEERING, INC.. STTR PHASE II - DARPA TOPIC NO. HR001121S0007-29

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CORCORAN ENGINEERING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-30. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the specific research objective of this STTR Phase II contract?

This STTR Phase II contract, under DARPA Topic No. HR001121S0007-29, is focused on advancing research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. While the exact objective is not detailed in the provided data, STTR Phase II contracts typically aim to transition promising Phase I research into prototype development and potential commercialization. DARPA topics are known for their cutting-edge and often high-risk, high-reward research areas, suggesting this project likely addresses a significant technological challenge or opportunity relevant to national security or scientific advancement.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type compare to other R&D contract types in terms of risk and incentive?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is common for R&D where the scope of work is not precisely defined, making fixed-price contracts unsuitable. It offers the contractor reimbursement for all allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee, representing profit. This structure incentivizes the contractor to control costs to maximize their fee relative to the effort expended, but it also places a significant oversight burden on the government to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. Compared to Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF), CPFF offers less flexibility for performance-based incentives. Compared to Firm Fixed Price (FFP), CPFF shifts more cost risk to the government but allows for greater flexibility in evolving R&D projects.

What does 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' imply for this award?

This contract clause indicates that the solicitation was initially intended for full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit an offer. However, 'after exclusion of sources' suggests that certain potential offerors were excluded from the competition based on specific, documented reasons, such as national security concerns, lack of required security clearances, or failure to meet specific pre-qualification criteria. While it aims for broad competition, the exclusion of sources can potentially limit the competitive landscape and may warrant scrutiny to ensure the exclusions were justified and did not unduly restrict competition.

What is the typical success rate or outcome for STTR Phase II contracts?

STTR Phase II contracts are designed to build upon the feasibility demonstrated in Phase I, aiming for prototype development and commercialization potential. Success rates vary significantly by agency and topic. Generally, Phase II is more competitive than Phase I, and a successful Phase II award indicates a higher likelihood of the technology maturing. Many Phase II projects aim to secure further funding (e.g., Phase III, venture capital) or lead to a product or service. However, a substantial portion may not reach full commercialization due to technical challenges, market viability issues, or funding limitations.

How does the $1.25 million award amount compare to typical R&D contracts of this nature?

The $1.25 million award for this STTR Phase II contract is within a common range for such awards. STTR Phase II contracts typically range from $1 million to $1.5 million, with some potentially exceeding this depending on the complexity and duration of the research. This amount reflects the significant investment required for advanced R&D, including personnel, equipment, and materials, over a period of approximately three years (1066 days). It aligns with the goal of maturing a technology to a point where it can attract further investment or be transitioned to a larger program.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: FY21 HR001121S0007

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 48 KNOLLWOOD DR, WALTHAM, MA, 02453

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,249,636

Exercised Options: $1,249,636

Current Obligation: $1,249,636

Actual Outlays: $1,140,605

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline