GSA awards $11.2M R&D contract to APTIMA INC for climate research, raising value-for-money questions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,262,058 ($11.3M)

Contractor: Aptima Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2023-07-21

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,166 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: THE ROLE OF CLIMATE IN THE PREVENTION OF HARMFUL BEHAVIORS

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22202

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $11.3 million to APTIMA INC for work described as: THE ROLE OF CLIMATE IN THE PREVENTION OF HARMFUL BEHAVIORS Key points: 1. Contract value of $11.2M for R&D services. 2. Sole-source award raises concerns about competition and potential overpricing. 3. Long duration of 1166 days suggests a complex or ongoing research effort. 4. Research focus on climate's role in preventing harmful behaviors is unique. 5. Contractor APTIMA INC has a history with federal contracts. 6. No small business set-aside indicates potential missed opportunities for smaller firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $11.2M for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) is difficult to benchmark without more specific details on deliverables and the scope of work. Given the sole-source nature of the award, there is a heightened risk that the pricing may not reflect competitive market rates. A comparison to similar R&D contracts for climate-related behavioral research would be necessary to assess true value for money. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed tightly.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning there was no open competition. This significantly limits the government's ability to explore a range of potential contractors and pricing structures. While sole-source awards are sometimes justified under specific circumstances (e.g., unique capabilities), they generally lead to less competitive pricing and reduced transparency. The lack of multiple bidders means the government did not benefit from the price discovery mechanisms inherent in a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competition. The government missed an opportunity to leverage market forces to secure the best possible price and value for this research.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is likely the agency or program that commissioned this research, seeking insights into climate's impact on harmful behaviors. The services delivered are research and development, aiming to produce findings and potentially methodologies related to the stated research objective. The geographic impact is not specified but is likely focused on research institutions or areas relevant to the study. Workforce implications could include employment for researchers, scientists, and support staff at APTIMA INC and potentially collaborating institutions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and value assessment.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher spending if not rigorously managed.
Lack of small business participation may limit broader economic impact.
Research scope is broad and may be difficult to define success metrics for.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a single entity suggests specialized expertise may be required.
Long contract duration indicates a potentially significant and complex research undertaking.
Focus on climate and behavioral science addresses a relevant societal issue.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on scientific research. The NAICS code 541715 covers Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). This is a broad category, and this specific contract addresses a niche within it, focusing on the intersection of climate and human behavior. Comparable spending in this sub-sector can vary widely based on the specific scientific discipline and project scope.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the 'sb' field is false, indicating no specific small business subcontracting goals were identified or mandated in the provided data. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this research effort, either as prime contractors or subcontractors, were not actively pursued through set-aside provisions. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore neutral to negative, as a potential avenue for their engagement was not utilized.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight and performance monitoring are crucial to ensure costs remain reasonable and deliverables are met. Transparency is dependent on GSA's reporting practices and any public dissemination of the research findings. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Climate Change Research Programs
Behavioral Science Research
National Security Research Initiatives
Environmental Science Research

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type poses potential cost escalation risks.
Limited transparency on specific research deliverables and success metrics.
No clear indication of small business participation or subcontracting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $11.3 million to APTIMA INC. THE ROLE OF CLIMATE IN THE PREVENTION OF HARMFUL BEHAVIORS

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 $11.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-07-21. End: 2026-09-29.

What is APTIMA INC's track record with federal contracts, particularly in R&D?

APTIMA INC has a history of securing federal contracts, primarily within the R&D domain. While the provided data does not detail their entire contract history, their presence as a contractor suggests experience in navigating federal procurement processes and delivering on research-oriented projects. Further investigation into their past performance, including contract values, agencies served, and performance reviews, would be necessary to fully assess their track record. Understanding their success rate on similar sole-source or CPFF contracts would provide valuable context for evaluating their suitability and the value proposition of this current award.

How does the $11.2M contract value compare to similar R&D efforts in climate and behavioral science?

Benchmarking the $11.2M contract value against similar R&D efforts in climate and behavioral science is challenging without more granular data on the specific scope of work, deliverables, and research methodologies. However, R&D contracts of this magnitude are not uncommon for complex, multi-year scientific investigations. The sole-source nature of this award, coupled with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, raises concerns that the price may not be optimized compared to what might be achieved through a competitive process. A thorough analysis would require identifying comparable projects, examining their funding levels, and assessing the breadth and depth of their research objectives to determine if $11.2M represents a fair market price for the anticipated outcomes.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source, Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source, Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract are twofold. Firstly, the sole-source nature means the government did not benefit from competitive bidding, potentially leading to a higher price than if multiple vendors had competed. This lack of competition reduces the government's leverage in price negotiation. Secondly, the CPFF structure, while allowing for flexibility in research, can incentivize cost overruns if not managed with stringent oversight. The contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee, meaning there is less direct financial incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts. Effective oversight and clear performance metrics are critical to mitigate these risks.

What are the potential program effectiveness indicators for research on climate's role in preventing harmful behaviors?

Potential program effectiveness indicators for research on climate's role in preventing harmful behaviors could include the development of novel predictive models for behavioral risks based on climate data, the identification of specific climate-related factors that correlate with reduced harmful behaviors, and the creation of actionable policy recommendations for mitigation strategies. Success could also be measured by the publication of findings in reputable peer-reviewed journals, the adoption of research-derived insights by relevant government agencies or NGOs, and the successful validation of proposed interventions in pilot studies. The ultimate effectiveness would be gauged by a demonstrable reduction in the targeted harmful behaviors attributable to the research's influence.

How has the General Services Administration (GSA) historically funded R&D in this specific scientific area?

The General Services Administration (GSA), through its Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), typically supports government-wide procurement needs, including R&D services. While GSA is not primarily a research funding agency like NSF or NIH, it facilitates the acquisition of R&D services for other federal agencies. Historical funding by GSA in specific R&D areas like climate and behavioral science would likely be driven by the needs of its client agencies. Analyzing GSA's contract awards database for NAICS code 541715 and related keywords over several fiscal years would reveal the extent and nature of their historical R&D investments in this domain, showing trends in contract types, values, and awarded vendors.

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 AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA23Q0160

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: $12,875,506

Exercised Options: $11,262,058

Current Obligation: $11,262,058

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 22

Total Subaward Amount: $4,033,386

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