Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing awards $21.4M R&D task order for unspecified services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,414 ($21.4K)

Contractor: Domestic Awardees (undisclosed)

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2025-03-28

End Date: 2027-03-27

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SUGARY IV TASK ORDER 32 INKS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20405

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $21,413.76 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: SUGARY IV TASK ORDER 32 INKS Key points: 1. The contract's value of $21.4 million represents a significant investment in research and development. 2. The lack of disclosed domestic awardees raises concerns about transparency and potential for concentrated economic benefit. 3. The 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' NAICS code suggests a focus on scientific advancement. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the absence of competition limits price discovery. 5. The contract duration of 729 days (2 years) indicates a medium-term project. 6. The specific nature of the R&D is not detailed, making it difficult to assess its direct impact or necessity.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Without knowing the specific services rendered, it is challenging to benchmark this contract against similar procurements. The $21.4 million price tag for an unspecified R&D task order is substantial. The lack of competition further complicates value assessment, as there's no market-driven price validation. The firm-fixed-price structure is a positive for cost control, but the overall value proposition is obscured by the lack of detail.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source procurement, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor possesses the necessary capabilities or when urgency dictates. The absence of competition means that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing did not benefit from the price reductions and innovation that can arise from a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price or the most innovative solution due to the lack of competitive pressure. This could lead to higher overall costs for the government.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the contractor(s) performing the undisclosed R&D services. The services delivered are categorized under 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences,' suggesting advancements in scientific or technical fields. The geographic impact is limited to the District of Columbia, where the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is located. Workforce implications are unclear without details on the specific R&D activities and the contractor's staffing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding the specific R&D services being procured.
Sole-source award limits opportunities for small businesses and potentially increases costs.
Undisclosed domestic awardees prevent assessment of contractor's specific expertise and track record in this R&D area.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract supports research and development, which can lead to future innovation and efficiency gains.
The award is made to a domestic entity, potentially supporting the U.S. economy.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a broad category encompassing a wide range of scientific and technological advancements. The market for R&D services is diverse, with significant government spending directed towards innovation. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the specific R&D focus, but government R&D contracts can range from millions to billions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any small business set-aside provisions. As a sole-source award, it is unlikely that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were actively sought or mandated. This limits the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve the contracting officer's representative (COR) at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, who monitors performance and ensures compliance. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and lack of detailed service descriptions. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Research and Development Spending
Department of the Treasury Contracts
Bureau of Engraving and Printing Procurement
Scientific and Technical Services

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Undisclosed Awardee
Lack of Service Specificity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $21,413.76 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). SUGARY IV TASK ORDER 32 INKS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED).

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Bureau of Engraving and Printing).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21,413.76.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-28. End: 2027-03-27.

What specific research and development services are being procured under this task order?

The provided data indicates the NAICS code is 541715, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).' However, the specific nature of the R&D services is not detailed in the available information. This lack of specificity makes it impossible to ascertain the exact scientific or technical domain, the intended outcomes, or the potential applications of the research. Further inquiry with the contracting agency would be necessary to obtain these crucial details.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?

The data states the contract type as 'NOT COMPETED,' implying a sole-source or limited competition award. Agencies typically justify sole-source awards when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, or when an exception to full and open competition applies (e.g., urgency, unique capabilities). Without a specific justification from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, it is presumed that they determined competition was not feasible or advantageous for this particular R&D task order. This decision limits the government's ability to leverage market forces for potentially better pricing and innovation.

What is the track record of the undisclosed domestic awardee in performing similar R&D services?

The data identifies the awardee only as 'DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED).' Consequently, it is impossible to assess the contractor's track record, past performance, or specific expertise in the relevant R&D fields. This lack of transparency regarding the awardee's identity prevents a thorough evaluation of their qualifications and reliability for executing this $21.4 million task order. Standard procurement practices often involve disclosing awardee information to ensure accountability and allow for informed analysis.

How does the $21.4 million cost compare to similar R&D contracts within the federal government?

Benchmarking the $21.4 million cost is challenging without knowing the specific R&D services. However, for context, federal R&D spending is extensive. For example, the National Science Foundation's annual R&D expenditures often run into billions. Individual task orders for specialized R&D can vary widely. A $21.4 million task order is a significant investment, suggesting a substantial project scope. Without more detail on the technical requirements, comparing it directly to other R&D contracts is speculative, but it falls within the range of medium-to-large federal R&D procurements.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a large R&D contract without competition?

The primary risks of a sole-source R&D award include potential overpayment due to lack of price competition, suboptimal solutions if alternative approaches exist, and reduced opportunities for innovative small businesses. There's also a risk that the chosen contractor may not be the most capable or cost-effective provider. Furthermore, the lack of transparency surrounding the awardee and the specific services can obscure potential performance issues or conflicts of interest, making oversight more difficult.

What is the historical spending pattern for R&D services by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing?

The provided data is for a single task order and does not offer historical spending patterns for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) in R&D. To assess historical spending, one would need to analyze multiple contract awards over several fiscal years. BEP's primary mission involves currency production, so significant R&D spending might be less common than in agencies like DoD or DoE. Understanding BEP's R&D investment history would require a broader data analysis beyond this single task order.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 F ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20405

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $605,831

Exercised Options: $21,414

Current Obligation: $21,414

Actual Outlays: $21,414

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 2031ZA19D00014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline