Darpa Semafor Contract Awarded to Aptima Inc for $3.2M in R&D

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,201,245 ($3.2M)

Contractor: Aptima Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2022-07-01

End Date: 2025-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,279 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TO 09 DARPA SEMAFOR

Place of Performance

Location: ROME, ONEIDA County, NEW YORK, 13441

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3.2 million to APTIMA INC for work described as: TO 09 DARPA SEMAFOR Key points: 1. Contract focuses on Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. APTIMA INC is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract duration is over 3 years, indicating a significant project. 4. Spending is categorized under R&D, a critical area for technological advancement.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables and pricing details.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can result in higher costs compared to competitive procurements, impacting taxpayer value.

Public Impact

Supports advanced research and development initiatives for national security. Potential for technological breakthroughs that could benefit various sectors. Lack of competition may limit opportunities for other innovative companies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Cost-plus contract type
Limited transparency on pricing

Positive Signals

Supports critical R&D for DARPA
Long-term engagement potential

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation but requires careful oversight to ensure value.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation is not a factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). This contract does not appear to provide opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial for Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts, especially sole-source awards, to ensure funds are used efficiently and effectively towards research objectives.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for cost overruns with CPFF
Limited transparency on specific deliverables
No small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3.2 million to APTIMA INC. TO 09 DARPA SEMAFOR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APTIMA INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-07-01. End: 2025-12-31.

What specific research outcomes are expected from this contract, and how will their value be measured?

The specific research outcomes are not detailed in the provided data. DARPA typically funds high-risk, high-reward research. Measuring value would likely involve assessing the achievement of defined research milestones, the potential for follow-on development, and the ultimate impact on national security or technological advancement.

What is the justification for a sole-source award, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?

The justification for a sole-source award is not provided. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. Agencies must document the rationale and demonstrate that competitive procedures are not practicable or advantageous.

How does the fixed fee component of this contract ensure cost control and contractor performance?

In a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. The fixed fee incentivizes cost control as it does not increase with costs. However, effective oversight is still needed to ensure the contractor is performing efficiently and meeting research objectives.

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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA22Q0141

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Aptima, Inc.

Address: 8 CABOT RD, WOBURN, MA, 01801

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,629,510

Exercised Options: $11,928,842

Current Obligation: $3,201,245

Actual Outlays: $-51

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA19D0012

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline