Army Awards $16M for Medical Research, Facing Limited Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,005,216 ($16.0M)
Contractor: Mobile Medical International Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2002-11-15
End Date: 2010-06-30
Contract Duration: 2,784 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: 200305!000279!2100!MD17 !US ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH ACQ ACT!DAMD1703C0002 !A!N! !N! !20021115!20041024!932546492!932546492!932546492!N!MOBILE MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL C!2176 PORTLAND ST , STE 4 !SAINT JOHNSBUR !VT!05819!62125!005!50!ST. JOHNSBURY !CALEDONIA !VERMONT !+000003111000!N!N!000000000000!AN92!RDTE/OTHER MEDICAL - APPLIED RESEARCH !S1 !SERVICES !1000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !A!U!U!2!002!E! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!B!N!N! ! !Z! !A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !
Place of Performance
Location: SAINT JOHNSBURY, CALEDONIA County, VERMONT, 05819
State: Vermont Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $16.0 million to MOBILE MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: 200305!000279!2100!MD17 !US ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH ACQ ACT!DAMD1703C0002 !A!N! !N! !20021115!20041024!932546492!932546492!932546492!N!MOBILE MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL C!2176 PORTLAND ST , STE 4 !SAINT JOHNSBUR !VT!05819!62125!005!50!ST. JOHNSBURY !CALED… Key points: 1. The contract is for applied research in medical fields. 2. Competition was limited after exclusion of sources, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. The primary risk lies in the limited competition and potential for non-optimal pricing. 4. The sector is Research and Development, specifically applied medical research.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $16M over its period of performance appears reasonable for applied medical research. However, without specific benchmarks for similar applied research contracts with limited competition, a precise pricing assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This method suggests that while some competition was sought, it was not fully open, which can lead to less competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition raises concerns about whether taxpayers received the best possible price for the research services.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective research due to limited competition. The specific medical research outcomes and their impact on public health are not detailed. The contract duration is substantial, indicating a long-term research effort.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 57 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Potential for suboptimal pricing
- Lack of detailed public impact information
Positive Signals
- Focus on applied medical research
- Significant contract value indicating important work
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically applied medical research. Spending in this area is crucial for advancing healthcare but requires careful oversight to ensure value for money, especially when competition is not fully open.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, part of the Department of Defense. Oversight mechanisms should ensure the research meets its objectives and that funds are used efficiently, particularly given the limited competition.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
- Lack of transparency regarding specific research goals and outcomes.
- Potential for inefficient use of taxpayer funds due to non-optimal pricing.
- No clear indication of small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, vt, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $16.0 million to MOBILE MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. 200305!000279!2100!MD17 !US ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH ACQ ACT!DAMD1703C0002 !A!N! !N! !20021115!20041024!932546492!932546492!932546492!N!MOBILE MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL C!2176 PORTLAND ST , STE 4 !SAINT JOHNSBUR !VT!05819!62125!005!50!ST. JOHNSBURY !CALEDONIA !VERMONT !+000003111000!N!N!000000000000!AN92!RDTE/OTHER MEDICAL - APPLIED RESEARCH !S1 !SERVICES !1000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MOBILE MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $16.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2002-11-15. End: 2010-06-30.
What specific medical advancements or applications are expected from this $16M research contract, and how will their success be measured?
The data provided does not specify the exact nature of the applied medical research or the metrics for success. Typically, such contracts would outline deliverables, milestones, and performance standards. Further investigation into the contract's statement of work and performance reports would be necessary to understand the expected advancements and how they are being measured by the Army.
Given the 'limited competition' award, what steps were taken to ensure the $16M price was fair and reasonable?
When competition is limited, agencies usually rely on techniques like cost analysis, price analysis based on historical data, or comparison to similar contract types. The contracting officer would have likely performed a price negotiation analysis to justify the award price. However, the absence of full and open competition inherently reduces the pressure for the lowest possible price.
How does the $16M investment in this specific applied medical research compare to other similar R&D investments by the Department of Defense?
Benchmarking this $16M contract requires comparing it to other applied medical research contracts within the DoD, considering factors like research scope, duration, and competition level. Without access to a comprehensive database of similar contracts and their pricing, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents a high or low investment. The 'limited competition' aspect suggests it might be on the higher end of cost efficiency.
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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Address: 2176 PORTLAND ST , STE 4, SAINT JOHNSBUR, VT, 00
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2002-11-15
Current End Date: 2010-06-30
Potential End Date: 2010-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2011-08-29
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