University of Dayton awarded $5.88M contract for engineering support services by GSA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,875,494 ($5.9M)

Contractor: University of Dayton

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2022-09-12

End Date: 2026-09-11

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SUPPORT EQUIPMENT TECHNICAL INVESTIGATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSITION II TO 25

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, GREENE County, OHIO, 45433

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $5.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON for work described as: SUPPORT EQUIPMENT TECHNICAL INVESTIGATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSITION II TO 25 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. Services are for technical investigation and technology transition, indicating a focus on R&D support. 3. The contract duration is 4 years, aligning with typical project lifecycles for engineering services. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 5. The agency is the General Services Administration (GSA), a common contracting vehicle for federal agencies. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services. 7. The contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without knowing the ceiling of the parent IDIQ contract and the specific services rendered. However, the total value of $5.88 million over four years for specialized engineering support is within a reasonable range for such services. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, requires diligent oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent scope creep, which could inflate the per-unit cost beyond market rates.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer. The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for achieving competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for competitive pricing and the assurance that the government sought the most advantageous offer available in the market.

Public Impact

The University of Dayton, a research institution, will benefit from this funding to support its technical investigation and technology transition capabilities. The services delivered will likely involve research, analysis, and development to advance specific technologies. The geographic impact is primarily in Ohio, where the University of Dayton is located, but the technology developed could have national implications. The contract supports a workforce of researchers, engineers, and technical staff at the University of Dayton.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored for scope and efficiency.
Lack of specific details on the number of bidders in the full and open competition makes it difficult to fully assess the competitive pressure on pricing.
The parent IDIQ contract details are not provided, limiting the ability to benchmark this delivery order against other task orders.
Potential for scope creep in T&M contracts, leading to costs exceeding initial estimates if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
University of Dayton's likely focus on research and development aligns with the contract's technical investigation and technology transition objectives.
The contract duration of four years allows for sustained effort and potential for significant technological advancement.
GSA's involvement suggests adherence to established procurement procedures and potential for broader government-wide application of developed technologies.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise and often supports government research and development initiatives. The market size for federal engineering services is substantial, with significant spending allocated annually across various agencies for design, analysis, and technical support. This contract represents a specific instance of federal investment in advanced engineering capabilities, likely contributing to innovation and technological readiness.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract includes a small business set-aside. The prime contractor is the University of Dayton, an educational institution. It is possible that subcontracting opportunities may exist for small businesses within the scope of the engineering services required, but this is not explicitly stated in the provided data. Further analysis of the subcontracting plan, if available, would be necessary to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) typically has robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts, including delivery orders under IDIQ vehicles. Accountability is maintained through performance monitoring, invoicing reviews, and adherence to contract terms. Transparency is generally facilitated by GSA's public contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would likely fall under the GSA's Office of Inspector General, responsible for investigating fraud, waste, and abuse.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development Services
Engineering and Technical Support
Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contracts
University Research Partnerships

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Lack of specific bidder count limits assessment of competitive pressure.
Parent IDIQ contract details not provided, hindering comprehensive benchmarking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $5.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON. SUPPORT EQUIPMENT TECHNICAL INVESTIGATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSITION II TO 25

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-12. End: 2026-09-11.

What is the University of Dayton's track record with federal contracts, particularly with GSA?

The University of Dayton has a history of engaging in federal contracting, often in support of research and development initiatives. While specific details on their GSA contract history are not provided in this data snippet, universities frequently secure contracts for specialized scientific and engineering services. Their performance on previous federal awards, including adherence to timelines, budget management, and technical delivery, would be a key indicator of their capability to execute this current contract successfully. A review of their past performance ratings and any documented issues on prior contracts would provide further insight into their reliability as a federal contractor.

How does the $5.88 million value compare to similar engineering support contracts awarded by GSA?

Comparing the $5.88 million value requires context regarding the scope and duration of similar engineering support contracts. This figure represents the total potential value over four years for a specific delivery order under a larger IDIQ. Federal engineering services contracts can range significantly in value, from smaller task orders to multi-billion dollar programs. Without knowing the specific technical requirements and the parent IDIQ's ceiling, a direct comparison is difficult. However, for specialized technical investigation and technology transition services over a four-year period, $5.88 million appears to be a moderate investment, suggesting a focused scope rather than a large-scale program.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for engineering services?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer project durations or less efficient work if not managed rigorously. For engineering services, risks include scope creep, where project requirements expand beyond the initial intent, leading to increased labor hours. Effective risk mitigation requires strong government oversight, detailed work breakdown structures, regular progress reviews, and clear communication to ensure the contractor remains focused on efficient task completion within the defined objectives.

How effective is GSA's Federal Acquisition Service in managing engineering services contracts?

GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) is generally considered effective in managing a wide range of federal contracts, including engineering services. FAS leverages its expertise in procurement and contract administration to provide agencies with efficient acquisition solutions. For engineering services, FAS often utilizes established IDIQ vehicles that have undergone competition, ensuring a baseline level of quality and pricing. Their effectiveness is measured by their ability to facilitate timely contract awards, ensure compliance with acquisition regulations, and provide value to client agencies. However, the effectiveness of any specific contract, including this delivery order, ultimately depends on the diligence of the contracting officers and technical monitors assigned to oversee performance and costs.

What are the historical spending patterns for engineering services under GSA's Federal Acquisition Service?

GSA's Federal Acquisition Service consistently awards significant funding for engineering and technical services across various sectors. Historical spending patterns indicate a steady demand for these services, driven by federal agencies' needs for research, development, infrastructure design, and technical support. GSA often uses IDIQ contracts as a primary mechanism to procure these services efficiently. Spending levels can fluctuate based on overall federal budgets, agency priorities, and the initiation of new large-scale projects. Analyzing past GSA spending data for NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services) would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the prime contractors most frequently awarded work.

What is the potential impact of technology transition on federal capabilities?

Technology transition is crucial for enhancing federal capabilities by integrating innovative solutions into existing systems and operations. This process allows agencies to leverage advancements from research and development, improving efficiency, effectiveness, and security. Successful technology transition can lead to modernized infrastructure, enhanced data analysis, improved service delivery to citizens, and a stronger national defense posture. Conversely, failures in technology transition can result in wasted investment, outdated systems, and missed opportunities to address evolving challenges. Contracts like this one, focused on technology transition, aim to bridge the gap between discovery and practical application, ensuring that federal investments in R&D yield tangible benefits.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA22Q0189

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 COLLEGE PARK, DAYTON, OH, 45469

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,244,112

Exercised Options: $5,875,494

Current Obligation: $5,875,494

Actual Outlays: $-1,121

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $36,000

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA18D0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline