Boundless Science Inc. awarded $3.9M for novel blood oxygenation device research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,902,011 ($3.9M)

Contractor: Boundless Science Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-01-30

End Date: 2026-08-02

Contract Duration: 549 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: PROPOSAL NUMBER: D2-2849 PROPOSAL TITLE: NOVEL BLOOD OXYGENATION DEVICE TO SAVE WARRIORS ON THE BATTLEFIELD

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27713

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $3.9 million to BOUNDLESS SCIENCE INC. for work described as: PROPOSAL NUMBER: D2-2849 PROPOSAL TITLE: NOVEL BLOOD OXYGENATION DEVICE TO SAVE WARRIORS ON THE BATTLEFIELD Key points: 1. Contract focuses on R&D for a critical battlefield medical device. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests defined scope and cost control. 3. Research and Development sector, specifically Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 4. Competition was Full and Open after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 5. Contract duration of 549 days allows for substantial research and development. 6. North Carolina is the state where the contractor is located.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.9 million for a research and development project of this nature appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in medical devices, the pricing seems competitive, especially considering the innovative and potentially life-saving application. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, suggesting good value if the research objectives are met.

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.' This indicates that while initial sources may have been considered, the opportunity was ultimately opened to all responsible sources. The specific exclusion of sources prior to the full and open competition warrants further investigation to understand if it limited the initial pool of bidders, but the final award suggests a competitive process was employed.

Taxpayer Impact: This competitive approach is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to bid, driving down costs and ensuring the government receives the best possible solution at a fair price.

Public Impact

Potential beneficiaries include military personnel requiring advanced medical support on the battlefield. The service delivered is research and development for a novel blood oxygenation device. Geographic impact is primarily focused on military operations and medical readiness. Workforce implications include specialized R&D personnel in the life sciences and engineering fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause in the competition type requires clarification to ensure no potential bidders were unduly restricted.
The specific performance metrics and deliverables for this R&D contract are not detailed, posing a potential risk for measuring success.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability.
The focus on a critical medical device for military applications aligns with strategic defense needs.
The contract duration allows for thorough research and development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for advanced medical devices, particularly those for military applications, is highly specialized and driven by innovation. Comparable spending benchmarks in this niche would typically involve significant investment in prototyping, testing, and validation. The $3.9 million award is a moderate investment for developing a novel technology with potential for significant impact.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a research and development contract, it likely requires specialized expertise and resources that may favor larger or more established research institutions. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be an area for future inquiry to ensure small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would likely fall under the Department of the Interior's internal review processes and potentially the contracting officer's representative. Given the R&D nature, progress reports and milestone reviews would be key accountability measures. Transparency would be enhanced through public contract databases, but detailed technical progress is typically proprietary. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Medical Device Research
Defense Health Programs
Advanced Technology Development
Life Support Systems Research

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics
Potential limitations in initial source exclusion during competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $3.9 million to BOUNDLESS SCIENCE INC.. PROPOSAL NUMBER: D2-2849 PROPOSAL TITLE: NOVEL BLOOD OXYGENATION DEVICE TO SAVE WARRIORS ON THE BATTLEFIELD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOUNDLESS SCIENCE INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-30. End: 2026-08-02.

What is the specific technological innovation proposed by Boundless Science Inc. for the blood oxygenation device?

The proposal title, 'Novel Blood Oxygenation Device to Save Warriors on the Battlefield,' suggests a focus on improving or creating a new method for oxygen delivery in critical care settings, likely for trauma or combat injuries. While the specific technical details are proprietary and not publicly disclosed in this summary, the contract's objective is to advance the research and development of such a device. This could involve new materials, improved efficiency in gas exchange, enhanced portability, or integration with existing battlefield medical equipment. Further details would likely be found in the technical proposal submitted by Boundless Science Inc. and subsequent project reports.

How does the $3.9 million award compare to typical R&D funding for similar medical device innovations?

The $3.9 million award for a novel blood oxygenation device falls within a moderate range for early-stage to mid-stage research and development in the medical technology sector. Seed funding for highly innovative concepts can range from tens of thousands to a few million dollars, while later-stage development, clinical trials, and regulatory approval can cost tens or even hundreds of millions. For a device aimed at battlefield applications, the funding level suggests a focus on proof-of-concept, prototype development, and initial testing, rather than full-scale production or extensive human trials. Comparable contracts for advanced medical R&D, especially those with defense applications, often see similar or higher investment depending on the maturity and scope of the technology.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones expected for this contract?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and milestones for this research and development contract are not detailed in the provided summary. Typically, R&D contracts of this nature would include milestones such as the completion of a literature review, design finalization, prototype fabrication, bench testing results, preliminary efficacy studies, and a final project report. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would work with Boundless Science Inc. to define and track these specific deliverables throughout the contract's duration. The firm fixed-price nature implies that meeting these defined milestones within the budget is crucial for successful contract completion.

What is Boundless Science Inc.'s track record in government contracting, particularly in R&D?

Information regarding Boundless Science Inc.'s specific track record in government contracting, especially within R&D, is not provided in the summary data. To assess their capabilities, one would typically review their past performance on similar contracts, including their success in meeting deadlines, budget adherence, and technical quality. Databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) would offer insights into their history. Without this data, it's difficult to definitively assess their experience and reliability for this specific project.

What is the potential long-term impact of this blood oxygenation device if successfully developed?

If successfully developed, this novel blood oxygenation device could have a significant positive impact on military medicine and potentially civilian emergency care. For military personnel, it could drastically improve survival rates for severe trauma, hemorrhage, or respiratory distress on the battlefield by providing immediate, portable oxygenation support. This could reduce mortality and morbidity, enabling faster evacuation and treatment. In civilian contexts, such a device could revolutionize emergency response, particularly in remote areas or during mass casualty events, offering a critical lifeline before patients reach a hospital. The innovation could also lead to advancements in critical care medicine and portable life support systems.

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: PA-122-176

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 932 WATERCOLOR WAY, DURHAM, NC, 27713

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,902,011

Exercised Options: $3,902,011

Current Obligation: $3,902,011

Actual Outlays: $2,341,431

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline