GSA awards $12.5M R&D contract to Tecolote Research for physical sciences, with a 364-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,521,551 ($12.5M)

Contractor: Tecolote Research, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2025-09-29

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: BASE AWARD FOR THE PI BRIDGE

Place of Performance

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

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $12.5 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: BASE AWARD FOR THE PI BRIDGE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced research and development in physical sciences, aligning with critical national innovation goals. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these specialized services. 3. Tecolote Research, Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating specialized capabilities or a competitive bidding process that favored this firm. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which allows for flexibility in research but requires careful cost oversight. 5. Performance is concentrated in California, a hub for R&D activities and technological advancement. 6. The base award amount is substantial, reflecting the complexity and potential impact of the research undertaken.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The base award of $12.5 million for a 364-day research and development contract appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work (NAICS 541712). Without specific benchmarks for comparable 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)' contracts, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the CPFF contract type suggests that costs will be monitored closely, and the fixed fee component provides some cost certainty for the government. The contract's duration is standard for this type of R&D effort.

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 is a specific type of competitive procedure. It implies that the government initially considered excluding certain sources but ultimately opened the competition broadly. The number of bidders is not specified, but the fact that it was competed fully suggests that multiple firms were likely interested and capable of performing the work. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces. It provides assurance that the selected contractor offers the best value available in the marketplace.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the U.S. government, which will receive advanced research and development services in physical sciences. The services delivered are expected to contribute to scientific and technological advancements, potentially leading to new innovations or improved existing technologies. Geographic impact is concentrated in California, supporting the state's robust R&D ecosystem and potentially creating high-skilled employment opportunities. The contract supports the specialized scientific and engineering workforce involved in cutting-edge research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently, as the contractor is reimbursed for actual costs plus a fixed fee.
The specific deliverables and milestones for this R&D contract are not detailed, making it difficult to assess performance risks upfront.
Reliance on a single contractor, Tecolote Research, Inc., means that any performance issues could significantly impact project timelines and outcomes.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a healthy market and likely competitive pricing.
Tecolote Research, Inc. is a specialized firm, suggesting they possess the necessary expertise for complex R&D tasks.
The contract duration of one year allows for focused effort and timely evaluation of progress.
The base award amount is clearly defined, providing a clear budget for the initial period of performance.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically NAICS code 541712, which covers R&D in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology). This sector is characterized by innovation, intellectual property generation, and often long-term investment. The U.S. government is a significant investor in R&D across various agencies to maintain technological superiority and address national challenges. Comparable spending benchmarks for R&D contracts vary widely based on the specific scientific discipline, project scope, and duration, but this $12.5 million award represents a substantial investment for a single-year project.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. However, as a large contract awarded through full and open competition, it is possible that Tecolote Research, Inc. may engage small businesses as subcontractors if their capabilities are needed to fulfill the contract requirements. The absence of a small business set-aside means that large businesses were eligible to compete and potentially win this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, robust financial oversight is crucial to monitor incurred costs and ensure they align with the contract's objectives. Performance monitoring will involve tracking progress against defined milestones and deliverables. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Specific inspector general jurisdiction would depend on the ultimate agency benefiting from the R&D, but GSA's Office of Inspector General would oversee the procurement process itself.

Related Government Programs

Defense Research and Development
National Science Foundation Grants
Department of Energy Research Programs
NASA Research Contracts
Advanced Technology Development

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF Contract Type)
Performance Uncertainty (R&D Nature)
Deliverable Clarity (Potential Lack of Specificity)
Contractor Performance Monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $12.5 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC.. BASE AWARD FOR THE PI BRIDGE

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 $12.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2025-09-29.

What is Tecolote Research, Inc.'s track record with government R&D contracts, particularly those involving physical sciences?

Tecolote Research, Inc. has a significant history of performing research and development services for the U.S. government, often in complex engineering and scientific domains. While specific details on their past performance for contracts directly matching 'physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology)' are not provided in this data snippet, their general profile suggests experience in areas like aerospace, defense, and advanced systems. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal the types of agencies they've served, the value and duration of previous awards, and any reported performance metrics or past performance evaluations. This would help establish their capability and reliability for the current $12.5 million award.

How does the $12.5 million base award compare to similar R&D contracts in the physical sciences sector?

Benchmarking the $12.5 million base award requires comparing it to similar contracts within NAICS code 541712 or closely related R&D categories. The value of R&D contracts can vary dramatically based on the scope, duration, and criticality of the research. A one-year contract of $12.5 million suggests a significant project, potentially involving a team of researchers and specialized equipment. To assess value, one would look at the average award size for similar one-year R&D efforts, the number of bidders on comparable contracts, and the types of deliverables expected. Without access to a broader dataset of R&D contract values, it's difficult to definitively state if this award is high, low, or average, but it represents a substantial investment for a single year of research.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk with CPFF contracts is the potential for cost overruns, as the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a fixed fee. This can incentivize less cost-conscious behavior if not managed properly. For R&D, the inherent uncertainty of research outcomes adds another layer of risk. Mitigation strategies include rigorous cost monitoring and control by the government contracting officer, clear definition of allowable costs, detailed performance work statements with measurable milestones, and regular progress reviews. The fixed fee provides some incentive for efficiency, as it does not increase with higher costs. The government must also ensure that the contractor has robust internal controls and accounting systems.

What is the expected program effectiveness or impact of this R&D contract?

The expected program effectiveness and impact of this R&D contract are tied to advancements in the 'Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)' domain. The specific goals are not detailed in the provided data, but R&D contracts typically aim to develop new technologies, improve existing processes, solve complex scientific problems, or generate foundational knowledge. The effectiveness will be measured by the successful completion of research objectives, the quality of the scientific output (e.g., reports, prototypes, data), and the potential for the research findings to be transitioned into practical applications or further development. The contract's success hinges on the quality of research conducted by Tecolote Research, Inc. and its alignment with the government's strategic objectives in these scientific fields.

How does this contract's spending pattern compare to historical federal R&D investments in physical sciences?

This contract represents a single award of $12.5 million for one year of R&D in physical sciences. To compare its spending pattern to historical federal R&D investments, one would need to analyze aggregate spending data for NAICS 541712 or similar categories over several fiscal years. Federal R&D spending is typically substantial, often in the tens or hundreds of billions of dollars annually across various agencies. This $12.5 million award is a component of that larger investment. Analyzing historical patterns would involve looking at trends in funding levels, the distribution of funds across different scientific disciplines, the prevalence of contract types (like CPFF), and the average award sizes. This single award, while significant for the contractor, is a small piece of the overall federal R&D landscape.

What is the significance of the 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' award type?

The award type 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' is a specific procurement method. It means that while the competition was ultimately open to all responsible sources, there was an initial phase where certain sources might have been considered for exclusion, or specific requirements were established that effectively narrowed the field before the broader competition. This could occur if, for example, a specific technology or capability was required that only a limited number of firms possessed, or if a previous contract was terminated and the government sought to exclude the prior contractor. However, the 'full and open' aspect indicates that after any initial considerations, the solicitation was made broadly available, allowing any qualified vendor to submit a proposal. This approach aims to balance the benefits of broad competition with the need to ensure specific technical requirements are met.

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: 47QFPA24R0037

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

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: $16,149,526

Exercised Options: $16,118,026

Current Obligation: $12,521,551

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 7

Total Subaward Amount: $7,214,977

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