GSA awards $1.8M R&D contract to APTIMA INC for physical, engineering, and life sciences research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,830,554 ($1.8M)

Contractor: Aptima Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2025-08-14

End Date: 2026-08-13

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: GRILL RPM

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, GREENE County, OHIO, 45433

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $1.8 million to APTIMA INC for work described as: GRILL RPM Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a cost-plus-fixed-fee basis, indicating potential for cost overruns. 2. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is a broad category, requiring specific performance metrics for value assessment. 3. The contract duration of 364 days suggests a focused, short-term research objective. 4. Limited competition data makes it difficult to benchmark pricing and assess overall value for money. 5. The contract is not a small business set-aside, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller innovative firms. 6. Geographic location in Ohio may indicate specific regional research needs or capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $1.8 million for a one-year research and development effort appears within a reasonable range for specialized R&D services. However, without specific details on the research scope and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Comparing this to similar R&D contracts in physical, engineering, and life sciences would provide better context. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates close monitoring to ensure costs remain controlled and aligned with the fixed fee.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This limits the opportunity for multiple vendors to bid, which can drive down prices and foster innovation through competition. The rationale for a sole-source award is not provided, but it typically implies a unique capability or urgent need that only one contractor can fulfill.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to offer the lowest price. It also bypasses the opportunity to discover the best value through a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

This contract is expected to benefit the federal government by advancing research in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The services delivered will likely involve scientific research, analysis, and potentially the development of new technologies or methodologies. The geographic impact is concentrated in Ohio, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications may include employment for researchers, scientists, and support staff within APTIMA INC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential for better value.
Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs effectively.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and impact of the R&D.

Positive Signals

Contract supports critical R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences.
APTIMA INC is likely selected for specialized expertise in this domain.
Contract duration suggests a focused research objective with defined deliverables.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, excluding nanotechnology and biotechnology. This is a broad category encompassing a wide range of scientific and technical services. Federal spending in this sector is significant, driven by agencies like the Department of Defense, NASA, and the National Science Foundation, aiming to foster innovation and technological advancement. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific sub-discipline of R&D involved.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor is there an indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are limited. The absence of a small business focus in this award does not necessarily reflect the overall small business utilization by the agency, but it does mean this particular contract does not contribute to small business goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and technical representatives within the General Services Administration (GSA). As a sole-source award, transparency might be reduced compared to a competed contract. Accountability measures will depend on the contract's performance metrics and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development Services
Scientific Research Services
Engineering Services
Life Sciences Research

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit competition and potentially increase costs.
Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type requires robust cost oversight.
Broad R&D category requires clear definition of deliverables for performance assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $1.8 million to APTIMA INC. GRILL RPM

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 $1.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-14. End: 2026-08-13.

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

APTIMA INC has a history of performing federal contracts, including those related to research and development. While specific details on their track record with GSA for R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences require a deeper dive into contract databases, their selection for this sole-source award suggests they possess specialized capabilities deemed necessary by the agency. Analyzing past performance reviews, contract modifications, and the types of R&D projects they have undertaken for the government would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability in delivering on federal R&D objectives.

How does the $1.8 million award compare to typical R&D contract values in this sector?

The $1.8 million award for a one-year R&D effort in physical, engineering, and life sciences is a moderate-sized contract. Federal R&D spending is vast and highly variable, with contracts ranging from small, specialized research grants to multi-billion dollar programs. For specific sub-fields within physical, engineering, and life sciences, this value could be typical for focused, applied research projects. However, without knowing the precise nature of the research (e.g., basic vs. applied, specific scientific domain), it's difficult to definitively benchmark. Larger, more foundational R&D initiatives often command significantly higher budgets.

What are the primary risks associated with this cost-plus-fixed-fee contract structure?

The primary risk with a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract is that the government may end up paying more than anticipated if the contractor's costs exceed initial estimates, even though the fee is fixed. While the fixed fee provides the contractor with an incentive to control costs, it doesn't eliminate the risk of cost overruns. Effective oversight, detailed cost tracking, and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks. The government must ensure that all allowable costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract to prevent unnecessary expenditure.

What are the potential program effectiveness indicators for this R&D contract?

Program effectiveness for this R&D contract can be measured through several indicators. Key among these would be the successful completion of defined research objectives and milestones within the contract period. Deliverables such as research reports, prototypes, data sets, or scientific publications demonstrating novel findings are crucial. The practical applicability or potential for future development of the research outcomes would also indicate effectiveness. Furthermore, adherence to budget and schedule, along with positive feedback from technical monitors, contributes to assessing the overall success and impact of the research effort.

What is the historical spending pattern for R&D contracts under GSA's Federal Acquisition Service in the physical, engineering, and life sciences?

Historical spending patterns for R&D contracts under GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) in the physical, engineering, and life sciences sector are not as prominent as those from mission-oriented agencies like DoD or NIH. GSA FAS primarily facilitates procurement for other federal agencies. Therefore, R&D spending channeled through GSA FAS might represent specific needs or shared services rather than direct agency R&D programs. Analyzing GSA's overall contract portfolio and specific task orders issued under broader vehicles would be necessary to discern trends. It's likely that direct R&D spending is concentrated within agencies that have explicit research mandates.

What are the implications of this contract being awarded outside of a competitive process?

Awarding this contract outside of a competitive process, as a sole-source action, has several implications. Primarily, it means that the government did not solicit bids from multiple potential contractors. This can lead to a lack of price competition, potentially resulting in higher costs for the government compared to a fully competed contract. It also bypasses the opportunity to discover the most innovative solutions or the best overall value from a wider pool of vendors. The justification for a sole-source award typically rests on unique capabilities, urgent needs, or the unavailability of other sources, which should be rigorously documented.

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 › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA25Q0060

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: $12,534,559

Exercised Options: $2,281,059

Current Obligation: $1,830,554

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