DHS Awards $2.3M R&D Contract to Starfire Industries for Next Gen HV ECR NGEN
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,299,861 ($2.3M)
Contractor: Starfire Industries LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2024-07-10
End Date: 2026-05-09
Contract Duration: 668 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NEW CONTRACT FOR NEXT GENERATION HV ECR NGEN.
Place of Performance
Location: CHAMPAIGN, CHAMPAIGN County, ILLINOIS, 61822
State: Illinois Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.3 million to STARFIRE INDUSTRIES LLC for work described as: NEW CONTRACT FOR NEXT GENERATION HV ECR NGEN. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting market availability. 3. Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires careful monitoring of costs. 4. Potential for significant technological advancement in the ECR NGEN domain.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables, but the total value is moderate for R&D.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for research and development, with the expectation of future technological benefits or solutions.
Public Impact
Advancement in critical technology for national security or operational needs. Potential for innovation to be commercialized or licensed in the future. Investment in scientific and engineering capabilities within the US.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires robust oversight to control costs.
- R&D contracts inherently carry risk of not achieving desired outcomes.
- Specifics of 'Next Generation HV ECR NGEN' are not detailed, impacting full understanding of scope.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Focus on R&D suggests potential for future technological breakthroughs.
- Contract duration of nearly two years allows for development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but can be unpredictable in terms of return on investment.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in the subcontracting or prime contracting process. Further investigation would be needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates strong oversight from the Department of Homeland Security to ensure costs are reasonable and deliverables are met. Auditing and performance reviews will be critical.
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 Plus Fixed Fee structure
- R&D inherent uncertainty
- Lack of specific deliverable details
- Potential for scope creep
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-homeland-security, il, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.3 million to STARFIRE INDUSTRIES LLC. NEW CONTRACT FOR NEXT GENERATION HV ECR NGEN.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is STARFIRE INDUSTRIES 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 $2.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-07-10. End: 2026-05-09.
What are the specific performance metrics and expected outcomes for the Next Generation HV ECR NGEN project?
The provided data lacks specific performance metrics or clearly defined expected outcomes for the 'Next Generation HV ECR NGEN' project. Understanding these details is crucial for assessing the value and effectiveness of the R&D investment. Without them, it's difficult to determine if the $2.3 million is being spent efficiently towards tangible goals.
How will the government ensure cost control and prevent overruns with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for this R&D effort?
Effective cost control for a Cost Plus Fixed Fee R&D contract relies on stringent government oversight, detailed cost accounting standards, and regular audits. The Department of Homeland Security must establish clear budget thresholds, require detailed justifications for expenditures, and closely monitor progress against milestones to mitigate the risk of cost overruns and ensure the fixed fee remains appropriate.
What is the long-term strategic importance and potential return on investment for the Next Generation HV ECR NGEN technology?
The long-term strategic importance and ROI are currently unclear without more information on the specific application and benefits of the 'Next Generation HV ECR NGEN'. While R&D investments aim for future gains, the success of this particular project in delivering a valuable, potentially marketable, or operationally critical technology will determine its true return on investment for taxpayers.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 70RWMD23R00000014
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3310 N DUNCAN RD, CHAMPAIGN, IL, 61822
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: $2,799,804
Exercised Options: $2,299,915
Current Obligation: $2,299,861
Actual Outlays: $1,236,732
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-07-10
Current End Date: 2026-05-09
Potential End Date: 2026-11-09 01:15:34
Last Modified: 2026-02-04
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