Alion Science and Technology Corp. awarded $22.9M for R&D services by EPA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,920,907 ($22.9M)

Contractor: Alion Science and Technology Corporation

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2010-07-01

End Date: 2015-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,887 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: HEASD SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $22.9 million to ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION for work described as: HEASD SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is a definitive contract, typically used for complex projects. 3. Performance period spans over 5 years, indicating a long-term need for services. 4. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 5. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement. 6. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, Alion Science and Technology Corporation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $22.9 million over approximately five years for R&D services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized scientific support. However, without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for the EPA or other agencies would provide better context for pricing and efficiency. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type suggests that the government reimburses allowable costs, with the fee being negotiated separately or not applicable in this instance, which can sometimes lead to less price sensitivity from the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While two bidders is better than a sole source, a higher number of bids would typically lead to more robust price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, despite receiving only two bids, aims to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by encouraging competitive pricing. This process helps prevent overpayment by allowing multiple companies to vie for the contract.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from specialized research and development expertise. Services delivered likely contribute to advancing scientific understanding and technological solutions relevant to environmental protection. The contract's geographic impact is primarily tied to the contractor's location in North Carolina and the EPA's operational needs. The contract supports highly skilled jobs in the research and development sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the R&D conducted.
The 'COST NO FEE' contract type can sometimes disincentivize cost control by the contractor if not rigorously monitored.
Limited competition (two bidders) may have resulted in a higher price than if more vendors had participated.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a fair process.
Contract duration of over five years suggests a stable, long-term need for these specialized R&D services.
Contractor is Alion Science and Technology Corporation, a known entity in the science and technology sector.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for R&D services supporting government agencies like the EPA is substantial, encompassing a wide range of scientific disciplines. Comparable spending benchmarks for R&D contracts can vary significantly based on the complexity, duration, and specific scientific focus. Contracts of this nature often involve specialized knowledge and advanced technical capabilities, commanding significant investment.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means that the primary award went to a large business, and opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are likely limited unless they are direct subcontractors to Alion Science and Technology Corporation. The absence of small business set-asides in such procurements can impact the overall distribution of federal contracting dollars to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be defined within the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide basic award information. Specific oversight details, such as audits or reviews, would depend on the EPA's internal policies and the nature of the R&D performed.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Research and Development
Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Federal Research Contracts
Department of Defense R&D Contracts (for comparison)
National Science Foundation Grants

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if not closely monitored due to 'COST NO FEE' structure.
Limited competition (two bidders) may impact price competitiveness.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes outcome assessment difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $22.9 million to ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. HEASD SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-07-01. End: 2015-08-31.

What specific R&D projects or areas did Alion Science and Technology Corporation undertake under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact R&D projects undertaken by Alion Science and Technology Corporation. The contract is broadly categorized under 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)' (NAICS code 541712). To understand the specific R&D activities, one would need to consult the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or task orders issued against this definitive contract. These documents would detail the objectives, methodologies, deliverables, and expected outcomes of the research performed for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Without access to these details, the precise scientific contributions remain unknown.

How does the $22.9 million award compare to typical EPA R&D spending for similar services?

Comparing the $22.9 million award to typical EPA R&D spending requires access to historical EPA contracting data and a clear definition of 'similar services.' The EPA funds a wide array of R&D activities, from basic research to applied technology development, across various environmental domains. A definitive contract of this size, spanning over five years, suggests a significant, long-term R&D effort. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify contracts with similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541712), contract types (definitive contract), and service scopes within the EPA's R&D portfolio. Without such a detailed comparison, it's difficult to definitively state if this award is high, low, or average relative to other EPA R&D investments.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract?

The provided summary data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract. For R&D contracts, success metrics can be complex and may include factors like the successful completion of research objectives, the publication of findings, the development of new methodologies or technologies, or the contribution to policy development. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type implies that the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs, and performance is typically monitored through progress reports and adherence to the Statement of Work (SOW). Detailed KPIs would be outlined in the contract's SOW or associated task orders, which are not available in this dataset.

What is Alion Science and Technology Corporation's track record with the EPA or similar agencies for R&D services?

Alion Science and Technology Corporation has a history of receiving federal contracts, including those related to research and development. To assess their specific track record with the EPA for R&D services, one would need to analyze their past contract awards from the agency. This would involve looking at the value, duration, and nature of previous contracts, as well as any performance evaluations or past performance questionnaires. A broader review of their federal contracting history across agencies would also provide context on their experience in delivering R&D services similar to those required by the EPA. Without specific historical performance data for Alion with the EPA, a detailed assessment of their track record is not possible from the given information.

Were there any identified risks associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?

The provided data does not explicitly list identified risks or mitigation strategies for this contract. However, general risks associated with R&D contracts of this nature and duration could include technical challenges, cost overruns (though less likely with 'COST NO FEE' if managed well), schedule delays, and the potential for research outcomes not meeting expectations. The fact that it was competed under 'full and open' competition suggests an effort to mitigate risks related to contractor selection and pricing. Specific risk mitigation plans would typically be detailed within the contract's SOW and management plan, which are not provided here.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Natural Resources and Environment R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: PRNC0910315

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10 WEST 35TH ST, CHICAGO, IL, 60616

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $72,332,753

Exercised Options: $28,126,191

Current Obligation: $22,920,907

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline