GSA Awards $2.25M R&D Contract to RAFT LLC for Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,246,434 ($2.2M)
Contractor: Raft LLC
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2026-01-12
End Date: 2026-05-15
Contract Duration: 123 days
Daily Burn Rate: $18.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: BLACK LABEL
Place of Performance
Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78226
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $2.2 million to RAFT LLC for work described as: BLACK LABEL Key points: 1. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, excluding Nanotechnology and Biotechnology. 2. RAFT LLC, based in Texas, is the sole awardee. 3. The contract has a duration of 123 days and a firm fixed price. 4. This award falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.25M for a 123-day duration appears high for a delivery order. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts of this scope and duration is necessary to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited competition approach. This raises questions about price discovery and whether a more competitive process could have yielded better pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for this R&D contract. Without competitive bidding, there's a risk of overpayment, impacting the efficient use of public funds.
Public Impact
Supports scientific advancement in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Potential for innovation and new technologies stemming from the research. Contract awarded to a single entity, RAFT LLC, limiting broader economic impact.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potentially high cost per day
- Limited duration for significant R&D impact
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D sector
- Firm fixed price contract
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, which is crucial for technological advancement and economic growth. Spending benchmarks for R&D contracts vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to RAFT LLC, and there is no indication of small business participation or subcontracting in the provided data. Further investigation is needed to determine if small businesses were considered.
Oversight & Accountability
The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for this award. Oversight should focus on the justification for limited competition and the value received for the taxpayer.
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
- Limited competition raises concerns about price reasonableness.
- High cost per day for R&D without clear deliverables.
- Lack of transparency regarding the justification for sole-source award.
- Potential for cost overruns if scope is not well-defined.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, general-services-administration, tx, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $2.2 million to RAFT LLC. BLACK LABEL
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RAFT LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-01-12. End: 2026-05-15.
What is the specific research objective and expected outcome of this R&D contract?
The specific research objective and expected outcome are not detailed in the provided data. Understanding the scope and deliverables is crucial for assessing the contract's value and effectiveness. Further documentation from GSA would be required to ascertain the precise goals and anticipated results of RAFT LLC's research.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a limited competition basis?
The justification for limited competition is not provided. Typically, agencies must demonstrate specific reasons, such as unique capabilities or urgent needs, to restrict competition. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess if the government received the best possible value and if taxpayer funds were used efficiently.
How does the firm fixed price of $2.25M for 123 days compare to industry benchmarks for similar R&D projects?
Without specific details on the research scope and deliverables, a direct comparison to industry benchmarks is challenging. However, a preliminary assessment suggests the daily rate might be on the higher side for R&D. A thorough analysis would require comparing the contract's technical requirements and expected outcomes against similar publicly available R&D contracts.
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: 47QFLA25R0025
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1660 INTERNATIONAL DR STE 800, MC LEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $33,206,086
Exercised Options: $2,451,434
Current Obligation: $2,246,434
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA25D0002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-01-12
Current End Date: 2026-05-15
Potential End Date: 2030-09-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-05
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