GSA Awards $11.9M for Automation & Robotics to University of Dayton

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,949,623 ($11.9M)

Contractor: University of Dayton

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2023-08-31

End Date: 2025-08-30

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: EPSE IV TO34 AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, GREENE County, OHIO, 45433

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $11.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON for work described as: EPSE IV TO34 AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to University of Dayton for automation and robotics services. 2. Significant funding allocated, indicating a substantial project scope. 3. Competition type is 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION', suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The sector appears to be engineering services, with potential IT and R&D overlap.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a delivery order under a larger IDIQ. Without knowing the ceiling of the parent contract or other competing bids, assessing value is difficult. The Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. However, as a delivery order, the specific price discovery mechanisms are tied to the parent IDIQ contract.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is positive for taxpayers, as it aims to secure the best value. The Time and Materials pricing, however, introduces a risk of increased costs if not carefully monitored.

Public Impact

Enhances federal capabilities in automation and robotics, potentially improving efficiency and effectiveness of government operations. Supports innovation in critical technology areas, aligning with national strategic interests. The University of Dayton's involvement suggests a focus on research and development or specialized engineering expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
Potential for scope creep in R&D-heavy projects.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Focus on advanced technologies like automation and robotics.
Involvement of a university suggests specialized expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330), a sector that often supports advanced technological development. Spending benchmarks for this category vary widely based on project complexity and agency needs.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or achieved through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

As a delivery order under a GSA schedule, it likely benefits from existing oversight mechanisms. However, the specific oversight for this particular order, especially concerning the Time and Materials aspect, needs to be confirmed.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing model.
Lack of specific performance metrics.
Potential for cost overruns.
Limited insight into the parent IDIQ contract's terms.
No indication of small business subcontracting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $11.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON. EPSE IV TO34 AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS

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 $11.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-31. End: 2025-08-30.

What specific automation and robotics capabilities are being procured, and how do they align with agency mission needs?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the automation and robotics services. Understanding the specific applications, such as process automation, robotic systems integration, or AI-driven solutions, is crucial to assess their alignment with agency mission needs and potential for delivering tangible operational improvements or cost savings.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and deliverables for this contract, and how will success be measured?

The data lacks information on specific KPIs and deliverables. For a Time and Materials contract, especially in R&D or engineering services, clearly defined milestones, acceptance criteria, and performance metrics are essential to ensure the contractor is meeting objectives and to prevent scope creep or inefficient resource allocation.

How does the University of Dayton's cost structure compare to other potential providers for similar automation and robotics engineering services?

Benchmarking the University of Dayton's costs against similar contracts or market rates for specialized automation and robotics engineering services is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparative data. While full and open competition aims for best value, the specific pricing structure and overheads of academic institutions may differ from private sector firms.

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: 47QFLA23Q0172

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: $14,759,478

Exercised Options: $13,826,853

Current Obligation: $11,949,623

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 12

Total Subaward Amount: $3,907,837

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