DHS Awards $3.27M for Raman Spectroscopy R&D to Pendar Technologies LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,271,331 ($3.3M)
Contractor: Pendar Technologies LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2023-09-30
End Date: 2026-07-28
Contract Duration: 1,032 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: STANDOFF DIFFERENCE RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY WITH AUTOMATED DEPTH SCANNING LRBAA
Place of Performance
Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02138
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $3.3 million to PENDAR TECHNOLOGIES LLC for work described as: STANDOFF DIFFERENCE RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY WITH AUTOMATED DEPTH SCANNING LRBAA Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced spectroscopy for potential homeland security applications. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk appears moderate given the R&D nature and fixed-price contract. 4. Spending falls within the R&D sector, specifically physical and engineering sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $3.27M for R&D services appears reasonable for a definitive contract with a 3-year duration. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in physical sciences would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is positive for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a fair market price for the research and development services.
Public Impact
Enhances homeland security capabilities through advanced technology. Supports innovation in scientific research and development. Potential for improved threat detection and analysis.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- R&D projects can have uncertain outcomes.
- Reliance on a single awardee for this specific technology.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Fixed-price contract type can control costs.
- Clear end date for project completion.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this NAICS code can vary widely based on project scope and agency priorities. DHS's investment reflects a focus on technological advancement for security.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses participated in the full and open competition.
Oversight & Accountability
The Office of Procurement Operations managed this award. Oversight will be crucial to ensure Pendar Technologies meets R&D milestones and delivers on the contract's objectives within budget and schedule.
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
- Potential for R&D project delays or scope creep.
- Technology may not meet operational requirements.
- Limited visibility into specific performance metrics.
- No small business participation indicated.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-homeland-security, ma, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $3.3 million to PENDAR TECHNOLOGIES LLC. STANDOFF DIFFERENCE RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY WITH AUTOMATED DEPTH SCANNING LRBAA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PENDAR TECHNOLOGIES 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 $3.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-30. End: 2026-07-28.
What specific homeland security challenges does this Raman spectroscopy technology aim to address?
The specific homeland security challenges are not detailed in the provided data. However, Raman spectroscopy is known for its ability to identify chemical substances non-destructively. This could be applied to areas like threat detection at ports of entry, identifying hazardous materials, or analyzing unknown substances encountered by security personnel.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this R&D contract?
Key performance indicators are not explicitly stated in the provided data. Typically, R&D contracts would include metrics related to the successful development of the technology, achievement of specific performance capabilities (e.g., sensitivity, range, speed), successful testing and validation, and timely delivery of prototypes or reports. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would monitor these.
How will the effectiveness of the automated depth scanning feature be measured?
The effectiveness of the automated depth scanning feature will likely be measured through rigorous testing and validation protocols. This would involve assessing its accuracy, speed, reliability across various sample types and depths, and its ability to improve the overall performance and utility of the Raman spectroscopy system in relevant operational scenarios.
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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 30 SPINELLI PL, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02138
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,639,072
Exercised Options: $3,271,331
Current Obligation: $3,271,331
Actual Outlays: $1,821,889
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-30
Current End Date: 2026-07-28
Potential End Date: 2026-11-03 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-06
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