DoD's $24.17M R&D Contract with S & K Technologies: Limited Competition Raises Concerns
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,172,861 ($24.2M)
Contractor: S & K Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2004-12-16
End Date: 2007-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,018 days
Daily Burn Rate: $23.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Place of Performance
Location: WARNER ROBINS, HOUSTON County, GEORGIA, 31098
State: Georgia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $24.2 million to S & K TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: Key points: 1. Significant investment in R&D, focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Contract awarded to S & K Technologies, Inc., with limited competition noted. 3. Potential for higher costs due to lack of robust price discovery. 4. The 'Research and Development' sector is critical for technological advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is 'COST NO FEE', which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Without a competitive bidding process, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is optimal compared to similar R&D contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source or limited source award. This lack of competition can hinder effective price discovery and potentially lead to less favorable terms for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition may result in higher overall spending for taxpayers compared to a fully competitive scenario, as cost efficiencies are less likely to be realized.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The specific R&D outcomes and their public benefit are not detailed, making direct impact assessment difficult. Future contracts in this area might benefit from clearer competition requirements to ensure value for money.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Cost-plus contract type (implied by 'COST NO FEE' and R&D focus)
- Lack of detailed performance metrics
Positive Signals
- Focus on critical R&D
- Long-term contract duration potentially allowing for in-depth research
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation but requires careful oversight to ensure taxpayer funds are used effectively and competitively.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded from opportunities or if the nature of the work precluded their participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'GA' (Georgia) state code and 'ST' (State) designation suggest potential state-level oversight or involvement, but the specific oversight mechanisms for this R&D contract are not detailed. Accountability for cost and performance would rely on internal DoD processes.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
- Contract type ('COST NO FEE') can incentivize spending without clear profit limits.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics makes outcome assessment difficult.
- Potential for contractor inefficiency due to reduced competitive pressure.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ga, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $24.2 million to S & K TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is S & K TECHNOLOGIES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $24.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-12-16. End: 2007-09-30.
What specific research and development outcomes were achieved under this contract, and how do they align with the Department of Defense's strategic goals?
The provided data lacks specifics on the research outcomes. To assess value, a review of technical reports, prototypes, or patents generated would be necessary. Alignment with DoD goals would require comparing deliverables against stated objectives and mission requirements for the Air Force's R&D initiatives.
Given the limited competition, what measures were in place to mitigate the risk of cost overruns and ensure the contractor's efficiency?
With a 'COST NO FEE' contract type and limited competition, the primary risk mitigation would typically involve stringent government oversight of expenditures and performance. However, without detailed reporting, it's difficult to ascertain the effectiveness of these measures. The absence of competitive pressure inherently increases the risk of inflated costs.
How effective was this contract in advancing the physical, engineering, and life sciences relevant to national security, and was the investment justified?
Effectiveness is hard to gauge without knowing the specific research conducted and its impact. The $24.17 million investment is substantial, and its justification hinges on the criticality of the R&D area and the uniqueness of the contractor's capabilities. A post-award review of technological advancements or scientific contributions would be needed for a definitive assessment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (UEI: 071409460)
Address: 56 OLD HIGHWAY 93 NORTH, SAINT IGNATIUS, MT, 01
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: F0965003D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-12-16
Current End Date: 2007-09-30
Potential End Date: 2007-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-11-17
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