DHS Awards $18.8M R&D Task Order to Signature Science LLC Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,817,570 ($18.8M)
Contractor: Signature Science LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2019-02-13
End Date: 2024-06-14
Contract Duration: 1,948 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: R&D
Official Description: AWARD OF A TIME AND MATERIALS TASK ORDER FOR APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN SUPPORT OF TEST AND EVALUATION
Place of Performance
Location: ATLANTIC CITY, ATLANTIC County, NEW JERSEY, 08405
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $18.8 million to SIGNATURE SCIENCE LLC for work described as: AWARD OF A TIME AND MATERIALS TASK ORDER FOR APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN SUPPORT OF TEST AND EVALUATION Key points: 1. The award focuses on applied research and development for test and evaluation, a critical area for homeland security. 2. Signature Science LLC, based in New Jersey, secured this significant contract. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The time and materials contract type may pose risks if not closely managed to control costs.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $18.8 million award for applied R&D is a substantial sum. Without specific benchmarks for similar R&D task orders within DHS or similar agencies, a direct pricing assessment is difficult. The time and materials nature of the contract requires careful monitoring to ensure value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the agency to select the best value offer.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical research and development, aiming to enhance national security capabilities. The competitive award process is intended to ensure efficient use of these funds.
Public Impact
Enhances Department of Homeland Security's research and development capabilities in test and evaluation. Supports innovation in physical, engineering, and life sciences, excluding specific nanotechnology and biotechnology areas. The duration of the contract (nearly 5 years) suggests a long-term need for these specialized R&D services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.
- Lack of specific performance metrics or deliverables in the provided data makes it hard to assess R&D effectiveness.
- The broad NAICS code (541715) might encompass a wide range of R&D activities, making precise benchmarking challenging.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
- The contract supports critical applied research and development for a key government agency.
- Long contract duration indicates a sustained need and potential for building expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement and national security. Benchmarks for R&D contracts can vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the awardee is Signature Science LLC, located in New Jersey. There is no explicit mention of small business participation or subcontracting in the provided information. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations. Oversight would typically involve program managers monitoring progress and expenditures, especially given the time and materials contract type. The number of task orders (2) suggests this might be part of a larger contract vehicle.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Office of Procurement Operations Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials contract type.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Broad NAICS code limits precise benchmarking.
- No explicit mention of small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-homeland-security, nj, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $18.8 million to SIGNATURE SCIENCE LLC. AWARD OF A TIME AND MATERIALS TASK ORDER FOR APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN SUPPORT OF TEST AND EVALUATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SIGNATURE SCIENCE LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $18.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-02-13. End: 2024-06-14.
What specific R&D outcomes are expected from this $18.8 million investment, and how will their success be measured against the contract's objectives?
The provided data lacks specific details on the expected R&D outcomes or the metrics for measuring success. Typically, such contracts would outline deliverables, milestones, and performance standards. Effective oversight would involve tracking progress against these defined objectives to ensure the $18.8 million investment yields tangible advancements in test and evaluation capabilities for DHS.
Given the time and materials contract type, what mechanisms are in place to mitigate the risk of cost overruns and ensure the government receives fair value?
Time and materials contracts inherently carry a risk of cost escalation. Mitigation strategies likely include strict monitoring of labor hours and material costs, defined ceiling prices, and regular progress reviews by DHS contracting officers. The agency must ensure that the contractor's efficiency and resource utilization are actively managed to prevent unnecessary spending and secure fair value for the $18.8 million awarded.
How does the applied research and development conducted under this contract contribute to the Department of Homeland Security's overall mission effectiveness?
This contract supports critical test and evaluation R&D, which is fundamental to ensuring the effectiveness and reliability of technologies and systems used by DHS. Advancements in this area can lead to improved security protocols, better threat detection, and more efficient operational capabilities, directly contributing to the agency's mission of safeguarding the nation.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Signature Science, LLC
Address: 8329 N MOPAC EXPY, AUSTIN, TX, 78759
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,817,570
Exercised Options: $18,817,570
Current Obligation: $18,817,570
Actual Outlays: $6,865,991
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $117,975
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 70RSAT18D00000004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-02-13
Current End Date: 2024-06-14
Potential End Date: 2026-03-06 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-03-11
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