GSA awards $36M+ R&D contract to Tecolote Research, Inc. for enterprise corps task order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,074,190 ($36.1M)

Contractor: Tecolote Research, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2020-07-13

End Date: 2025-12-23

Contract Duration: 1,989 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ENTERPRISE CORPS TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: EL SEGUNDO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90245

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $36.1 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: ENTERPRISE CORPS TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, a critical sector. 3. Tecolote Research, Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating specialized capabilities or a specific task requirement. 4. The contract duration is substantial, spanning over 1900 days, implying a long-term need. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 6. The task order is part of a larger contract vehicle, potentially indicating a framework for multiple awards.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of over $36 million for a period of nearly five years suggests a significant investment in R&D services. Benchmarking this against similar R&D contracts requires detailed analysis of the specific services rendered. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract indicates that the government has negotiated a set price, which can be advantageous for cost control if the contractor's performance meets expectations. Without specific comparable task orders for 'Enterprise Corps,' a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process provides some assurance of fair pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies that while the competition was broad, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria. The fact that it was competed suggests that multiple vendors were likely considered. The exclusion of sources, if not clearly justified, could potentially limit the breadth of competition and impact price discovery. However, the 'full and open' designation generally aims for maximum participation.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, even with potential source exclusions, is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and technical solutions.

Public Impact

This contract supports research and development activities, potentially leading to advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The services delivered are expected to benefit government agencies requiring specialized R&D expertise. The contract is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), indicating federal-level procurement. The geographic impact is centered in California, where the contractor is located. The contract may indirectly support a specialized workforce in R&D fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition if 'exclusion of sources' was overly restrictive.
Risk of cost overruns if the firm fixed-price contract does not adequately account for unforeseen R&D challenges.
Dependence on a single contractor (Tecolote Research, Inc.) for critical R&D tasks.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting a fair evaluation of proposals.
Firm fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract duration indicates a stable, long-term need for these R&D services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically under NAICS code 541712 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). This sector is characterized by innovation and specialized scientific expertise. The total federal spending in R&D is substantial, with significant portions allocated to defense, health, and technology. This contract represents a portion of that investment, likely supporting specific government initiatives requiring advanced scientific and engineering capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the 'Enterprise Corps' task order.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss=false, sb=false). Therefore, it was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. The implications for subcontracting are not detailed in the provided data, but large prime contractors often have subcontracting goals, which could potentially benefit small businesses if Tecolote Research, Inc. engages in such practices. However, without explicit subcontracting plans, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is uncertain.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) typically has robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts, including task orders issued under broader contract vehicles. Accountability is usually managed through performance metrics, contract close-out procedures, and potential audits. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal R&D Spending
GSA Procurement
Science and Technology Contracts
Engineering Services Contracts
Life Sciences Research Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
R&D contracts inherently carry technical and schedule risks.
Sole awardee increases reliance on contractor performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $36.1 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC.. ENTERPRISE CORPS TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $36.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-07-13. End: 2025-12-23.

What is the specific nature of the 'Enterprise Corps Task Order' and its objectives?

The provided data does not detail the specific objectives or deliverables of the 'Enterprise Corps Task Order.' The NAICS code 541712 indicates it falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. This suggests the task order likely involves scientific research, experimentation, analysis, or the development of new technologies or methodologies within these broad fields. The 'Enterprise Corps' designation might refer to a specific government program, initiative, or a set of integrated services aimed at enhancing enterprise-level capabilities or operations through R&D.

How does Tecolote Research, Inc.'s past performance on similar contracts compare to the requirements of this task order?

Assessing Tecolote Research, Inc.'s past performance requires access to detailed contract history and performance reviews, which are not included in the provided data. However, the award of a significant contract valued at over $36 million by the GSA suggests that the agency found their past performance to be adequate or superior for the requirements. Agencies typically evaluate past performance as a key factor in source selection. Further investigation into Tecolote's contract award history and any associated performance ratings would be necessary for a comprehensive comparison.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics for this contract. For a firm fixed-price R&D contract, success is typically measured against the achievement of specific research milestones, the delivery of prototypes or reports, adherence to technical specifications, and timely completion of phases. The GSA, as the contracting agency, would have established these metrics within the contract's statement of work or performance work statement to ensure Tecolote Research, Inc. meets the government's objectives.

What is the historical spending trend for 'Enterprise Corps' or similar R&D initiatives managed by GSA?

The provided data does not offer historical spending trends for 'Enterprise Corps' or similar R&D initiatives. This specific task order represents a single award event. To analyze historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases for all contracts and task orders related to 'Enterprise Corps' or contracts with similar objectives and NAICS codes awarded by GSA or other relevant agencies over several fiscal years. This would reveal patterns in investment and the evolution of R&D focus.

Are there any identified risks associated with this contract, such as technical challenges, schedule delays, or cost overruns?

While the data indicates a firm fixed-price contract, which shifts cost risk to the contractor, potential risks in R&D contracts always exist. These can include unforeseen technical challenges inherent in research, potential schedule delays if research proves more complex than anticipated, or issues with the contractor's ability to meet stringent technical requirements. The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition type could also be a risk if it unduly limited the pool of qualified bidders. A thorough risk assessment would require reviewing the contract's statement of work and any associated risk mitigation plans.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: ID09200012

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 420 S FAIRVIEW AVE STE 201, GOLETA, CA, 93117

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $38,577,031

Exercised Options: $38,577,031

Current Obligation: $36,074,190

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $15,167,261

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS619

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline