DOI awards $2.1M R&D contract for Lightweight Interaction and Storytelling Archive to Dynamic Object Language Labs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,095,748 ($2.1M)

Contractor: Dynamic Object Language Labs, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-09-25

End Date: 2026-05-30

Contract Duration: 978 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/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: SBIR PHASE II AWARD - LIGHTWEIGHT INTERACTION AND STORYTELLING ARCHIVE (LISA)

Place of Performance

Location: HAVERHILL, ESSEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01832

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.1 million to DYNAMIC OBJECT LANGUAGE LABS, INC. for work described as: SBIR PHASE II AWARD - LIGHTWEIGHT INTERACTION AND STORYTELLING ARCHIVE (LISA) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of 978 days indicates a significant, long-term project. 4. Dynamic Object Language Labs, Inc. is the sole awardee for this specific requirement. 5. The contract type is 'Cost No Fee', which typically means the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs but does not receive a profit. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 points to a specialized research and development sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable project costs. The 'Cost No Fee' structure suggests a focus on cost recovery rather than profit maximization for the contractor. However, the total award amount of $2,095,748 for a nearly 3-year R&D effort needs further scrutiny to ensure it aligns with industry standards for similar research initiatives. Without more detailed information on the scope of work and deliverables, a definitive value assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. This indicates that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and multiple responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The fact that it was competed openly suggests that the agency sought the best possible solution and price from the market. The number of bids received (10) further supports a healthy level of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers by encouraging vendors to offer their most cost-effective solutions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of the Interior, which will receive the Lightweight Interaction and Storytelling Archive. The contract aims to deliver advancements in research and development within physical, engineering, and life sciences. The project's geographic impact is not specified but is likely tied to the DOI's operational needs. Workforce implications may include specialized R&D personnel employed by Dynamic Object Language Labs, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Cost No Fee' contract type, while reimbursing costs, may offer less incentive for extreme cost efficiency compared to fixed-price contracts.
The specific nature of 'Lightweight Interaction and Storytelling Archive' is broad and could encompass significant development effort requiring careful oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
The number of bids received (10) suggests significant market interest and a competitive environment.
The contract is for research and development, potentially leading to innovative solutions for the Department of the Interior.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically NAICS code 541715. This sector is characterized by innovation and the creation of new knowledge and capabilities. The market for R&D services is diverse, with government contracts often supporting fundamental research or applied technology development. Comparable spending benchmarks for R&D contracts vary widely based on the specific scientific or engineering discipline, project complexity, and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses in their subcontracting efforts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Department of the Interior. The 'Cost No Fee' structure necessitates careful monitoring of incurred costs to ensure they are allowable and reasonable. Transparency will depend on the agency's reporting practices and the public availability of contract performance information. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
Research and Development Contracts
Information Technology Research
Digital Archiving Solutions

Risk Flags

Cost Control Risk (Cost No Fee)
Scope Creep Potential
Performance Measurement Difficulty (R&D)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.1 million to DYNAMIC OBJECT LANGUAGE LABS, INC.. SBIR PHASE II AWARD - LIGHTWEIGHT INTERACTION AND STORYTELLING ARCHIVE (LISA)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DYNAMIC OBJECT LANGUAGE LABS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-25. End: 2026-05-30.

What is the specific technical objective of the Lightweight Interaction and Storytelling Archive (LISA)?

The specific technical objective of the Lightweight Interaction and Storytelling Archive (LISA) is not detailed in the provided data. However, the contract falls under NAICS code 541715, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).' This suggests the archive will likely focus on research related to how information, particularly narratives or stories, can be interacted with and stored in a lightweight, efficient manner. This could involve developing new data structures, compression algorithms, user interface designs for accessing archived content, or methods for preserving the integrity and context of digital stories over time. The 'lightweight' aspect implies a focus on minimizing resource requirements (storage, processing power, bandwidth) for the archive and its interactions.

How does the 'Cost No Fee' contract type impact contractor incentives and government oversight?

The 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type significantly alters contractor incentives and government oversight compared to other contract types. Under CNF, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable, allocable, and reasonable costs incurred in performing the contract, but receives no profit. This means the primary incentive for the contractor is to recover their costs and fulfill the contract requirements, rather than to maximize profit. This can lead to less emphasis on cost-saving measures if not carefully managed. For the government, oversight becomes critical. Contracting officers and program managers must rigorously monitor the contractor's expenditures to ensure costs are legitimate and necessary for contract performance. Audits and detailed cost reporting are essential. While it can be beneficial for R&D where costs are uncertain, it requires diligent government management to prevent cost overruns and ensure value.

What does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation imply about the procurement process?

The designation 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' indicates a nuanced approach to competitive procurement. Initially, the agency likely intended full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources could submit offers. However, 'after exclusion of sources' suggests that certain potential sources were identified and then excluded from consideration, possibly due to specific requirements, security concerns, or other pre-defined criteria. Despite this exclusion, the process still aimed for broad competition among the remaining eligible sources. This method is used when there's a need to narrow the field based on specific qualifications or circumstances while still ensuring a competitive environment among qualified offerors, rather than resorting to sole-source or limited competition.

What is the typical duration and cost range for similar R&D contracts in the physical, engineering, and life sciences?

The typical duration and cost range for R&D contracts in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (NAICS 541715) can vary dramatically. Contracts can range from short-term feasibility studies costing tens of thousands of dollars to multi-year, large-scale research programs costing tens or hundreds of millions. A contract duration of 978 days (approximately 2.7 years) is common for significant R&D efforts. The award amount of $2.1 million for this duration is on the lower to mid-range for complex R&D projects, especially those involving advanced engineering or physical sciences. However, without knowing the specific research goals, the novelty of the technology, and the required personnel expertise, it's difficult to provide a precise benchmark. Some highly specialized or cutting-edge research could command higher prices, while more incremental development might fall within this range.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'Cost No Fee' R&D contract?

Several risks are associated with 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) R&D contracts. Firstly, the lack of a profit motive can reduce the contractor's incentive to control costs aggressively, potentially leading to higher overall expenditures than anticipated if not meticulously managed. Secondly, defining 'allowable' costs in R&D can be complex, creating potential for disputes between the contractor and the government over what expenses are legitimate. Thirdly, the government bears a significant portion of the financial risk; if the research proves unsuccessful or encounters unforeseen challenges, the government still reimburses the contractor's costs without a guaranteed return on investment. Finally, ensuring the contractor maintains a high level of effort and innovation without the direct financial upside of profit requires robust government oversight and performance monitoring.

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: DOD SBIR 17.2

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2 PARSONAGE HILL RD, HAVERHILL, MA, 01832

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,095,748

Exercised Options: $2,095,748

Current Obligation: $2,095,748

Actual Outlays: $1,760,013

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline