NSF Awards $5M to University of Maryland for Social Science R&D via Broad Agency Announcement
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,000,000 ($5.0M)
Contractor: University of Maryland, College Park
Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation
Start Date: 2024-01-24
End Date: 2027-01-18
Contract Duration: 1,090 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 17
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NSF CONVERGENCE ACCELERATOR 2022 COHORT PHASES 1 AND 2 FOR TRACKS H, I, AND J BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)
Place of Performance
Location: COLLEGE PARK, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20742
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Science Foundation obligated $5.0 million to UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK for work described as: NSF CONVERGENCE ACCELERATOR 2022 COHORT PHASES 1 AND 2 FOR TRACKS H, I, AND J BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) Key points: 1. The award supports research and development in social sciences and humanities. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type is a firm fixed price, which defines the total cost. 4. The project duration is substantial, spanning nearly three years.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The $5 million award for R&D in social sciences and humanities appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar NSF Broad Agency Announcements would provide further context on pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) under full and open competition allows for broad participation and encourages innovative proposals. This method aims to discover the best value and technical solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being allocated through a competitive process to advance scientific knowledge in social sciences and humanities.
Public Impact
Supports advancements in social science and humanities research. Funds academic institutions for critical research initiatives. The NSF's investment aims to foster innovation and discovery.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific Public Law 114-264 compliance details.
- No clear indication of specific deliverables or milestones tied to funding tranches.
Positive Signals
- Utilizes a competitive BAA process.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty.
- Supports a recognized research institution.
Sector Analysis
This award falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (NAICS 541720). NSF typically funds a wide range of scientific research, with significant investments in basic and applied research across various disciplines.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to the University of Maryland, College Park, a large research institution. There is no specific information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting opportunities within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is responsible for overseeing this award. Standard NSF grant and contract oversight mechanisms would apply, including progress reporting and financial accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- National Science Foundation Contracting
- National Science Foundation Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep in long-term R&D.
- Reliance on academic institution for project execution.
- Limited detail on specific performance metrics.
- Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) can sometimes lead to less defined initial requirements compared to traditional solicitations.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, national-science-foundation, md, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Science Foundation awarded $5.0 million to UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK. NSF CONVERGENCE ACCELERATOR 2022 COHORT PHASES 1 AND 2 FOR TRACKS H, I, AND J BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-01-24. End: 2027-01-18.
What specific research outcomes are expected from the NSF Convergence Accelerator program, and how will their achievement be measured?
The NSF Convergence Accelerator program aims to accelerate the transition of research discoveries into practice. Specific outcomes are track-dependent, but generally focus on developing solutions to societal challenges through interdisciplinary convergence research. Measurement typically involves progress reports, milestone achievements, and final project evaluations assessing the impact and potential for broader adoption of the developed technologies or methodologies.
How does the firm fixed price contract structure mitigate risks associated with long-term research and development projects?
A firm fixed price (FFP) contract establishes a ceiling on the total cost the government will pay, shifting most of the cost risk to the contractor. For R&D, this can incentivize efficiency and careful planning. However, it may also discourage scope adjustments if unforeseen challenges arise, potentially requiring contract modifications or impacting the depth of research if initial estimates prove inaccurate.
What is the potential long-term impact of this investment on the social sciences and humanities research landscape?
This $5 million investment by the NSF has the potential to significantly advance research in specific areas of social sciences and humanities, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and potentially leading to novel insights or solutions to societal problems. The success of the funded tracks (H, I, and J) could influence future funding priorities and research methodologies within these fields.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: NSFBAA-CA22-02
Offers Received: 17
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3112 LEE BUILDING, COLLEGE PARK, MD, 20742
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,000,000
Exercised Options: $5,000,000
Current Obligation: $5,000,000
Actual Outlays: $4,000,000
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $749,900
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-01-24
Current End Date: 2027-01-18
Potential End Date: 2027-01-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-16
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