DHS Awards $4.6M CPFF Contract to MRIGLOBAL for Agnostic Threat Detection System R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,594,443 ($4.6M)
Contractor: Mriglobal
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2023-09-29
End Date: 2027-01-31
Contract Duration: 1,220 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MRIGLOBAL COST PLUS FIXED FEE DHS CWMD OBAA TOPIC SOLICITATION 15 AWARD FOR AGNOSTIC THREAT DETECTION SYSTEM (ATDS) PROPOSAL FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: KANSAS CITY, JACKSON County, MISSOURI, 64110
State: Missouri Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $4.6 million to MRIGLOBAL for work described as: MRIGLOBAL COST PLUS FIXED FEE DHS CWMD OBAA TOPIC SOLICITATION 15 AWARD FOR AGNOSTIC THREAT DETECTION SYSTEM (ATDS) PROPOSAL FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Key points: 1. MRIGLOBAL secured a $4.6M CPFF contract for R&D on an agnostic threat detection system. 2. The contract falls under NAICS code 541715 (R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is 1220 days, ending January 31, 2027.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure is common for R&D where scope may evolve. The fixed fee component provides some cost control for the government. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts would be necessary for a precise value assessment.
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 allows the government to select the best value offer.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for taxpayer value, as it aims to secure the most advantageous pricing and technical solutions.
Public Impact
Enhances national security through advanced threat detection capabilities. Supports innovation in R&D for homeland security applications. Potential for future technology development and commercialization. Contract award provides funding for research and development services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in CPFF contracts.
- Scope creep in R&D projects can impact final cost and timeline.
- Dependence on a single contractor for this specific R&D effort.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Contract supports critical homeland security technology.
- MRIGLOBAL has a history of performing government contracts.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement and national security. Benchmarks for similar R&D contracts vary widely based on complexity and scope.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and MRIGLOBAL is not listed as a small business. Therefore, there is no direct small business participation evident in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations managed this award. Oversight will be critical to monitor project progress, adherence to budget, and achievement of R&D objectives throughout the contract's duration.
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
- Cost overrun risk in CPFF contract.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D.
- Reliance on contractor's R&D capabilities.
- Effectiveness validation challenges for novel technology.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-homeland-security, mo, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $4.6 million to MRIGLOBAL. MRIGLOBAL COST PLUS FIXED FEE DHS CWMD OBAA TOPIC SOLICITATION 15 AWARD FOR AGNOSTIC THREAT DETECTION SYSTEM (ATDS) PROPOSAL FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MRIGLOBAL.
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 $4.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-29. End: 2027-01-31.
What is the projected impact of the Agnostic Threat Detection System (ATDS) on current and future threat detection capabilities?
The ATDS aims to provide a versatile and adaptable threat detection solution capable of identifying a wide range of known and unknown threats without prior specific programming. Its impact is expected to be significant, enhancing the ability of DHS to respond to evolving security challenges by offering a more comprehensive and proactive detection framework compared to systems requiring specific threat signatures.
What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure for this R&D project?
The primary risks with a CPFF structure for R&D include potential cost overruns if the contractor's actual costs exceed estimates, and the government bearing the majority of the cost risk. Additionally, defining the fixed fee can be challenging in R&D where innovation and unforeseen technical hurdles are common, potentially leading to disputes or renegotiations if the fee doesn't adequately reflect the effort.
How will the effectiveness of the Agnostic Threat Detection System (ATDS) be measured and validated throughout the R&D process?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through a series of rigorous testing and validation protocols defined in the contract's Statement of Work. This would involve simulated threat scenarios, performance metrics related to detection accuracy, false positive/negative rates, and operational integration tests. Independent verification and validation by DHS personnel or third-party evaluators will be crucial to ensure the system meets its intended objectives.
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: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: 70RWMD23R00000007
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 425 DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, KANSAS CITY, MO, 64110
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,579,572
Exercised Options: $4,594,443
Current Obligation: $4,594,443
Actual Outlays: $2,657,544
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 3
Total Subaward Amount: $1,014,320
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-29
Current End Date: 2027-01-31
Potential End Date: 2027-09-30 08:46:47
Last Modified: 2026-02-03
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