DoD's $44.3M R&D Contract with University of Dayton Faces Scrutiny Over Value and Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $44,308,703 ($44.3M)
Contractor: University of Dayton
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-05-31
End Date: 2032-05-31
Contract Duration: 2,557 days
Daily Burn Rate: $17.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PERVASIVE RESEARCH AND EVALUATION FOR COMPLEX-SOLUTIONS IN OPERATIONAL AND URGENT SYSTEMS TASK ORDER 0001
Place of Performance
Location: DAYTON, MONTGOMERY County, OHIO, 45469
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $44.3 million to UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON for work described as: PERVASIVE RESEARCH AND EVALUATION FOR COMPLEX-SOLUTIONS IN OPERATIONAL AND URGENT SYSTEMS TASK ORDER 0001 Key points: 1. The contract's large value and long duration raise questions about cost-effectiveness. 2. Full and open competition was cited, but the specific impact on price discovery needs review. 3. The R&D focus on complex operational systems presents inherent risks. 4. The sector is critical for defense, but benchmarks for similar R&D are needed.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The $44.3M award over 7 years for R&D is substantial. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, assessing value against similar complex R&D contracts is difficult. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure warrants close monitoring to prevent cost overruns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
While advertised as full and open competition, the effectiveness of this method in securing the best value for complex R&D is not immediately clear. The long performance period could limit the pool of truly competitive bids over time.
Taxpayer Impact: The significant taxpayer investment requires robust oversight to ensure the funds are used efficiently and effectively for the intended research outcomes.
Public Impact
Taxpayers are funding advanced research with potential long-term defense applications. The University of Dayton, a significant research institution, is the awardee. The contract duration suggests a long-term commitment to a specific research area.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure
- Lack of specific performance metrics
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition cited
- Award to established research institution
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the R&D sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement but can be difficult to benchmark due to the unique nature of research projects.
Small Business Impact
The contract does not indicate any specific set-asides or participation goals for small businesses. Given the nature of the research and the awardee, it is unlikely that small businesses will be significantly involved as prime contractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The long duration and cost-plus nature of this contract necessitate strong oversight from the Department of the Air Force to ensure adherence to scope, budget, and performance standards. Regular reviews and audits will be critical.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure
- Long performance period may limit future competition
- Lack of clear performance metrics for R&D success
- Difficulty in benchmarking specialized R&D costs
- Limited visibility into specific research outcomes
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, oh, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $44.3 million to UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON. PERVASIVE RESEARCH AND EVALUATION FOR COMPLEX-SOLUTIONS IN OPERATIONAL AND URGENT SYSTEMS TASK ORDER 0001
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $44.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-05-31. End: 2032-05-31.
What specific research objectives and expected outcomes are defined within this task order to justify the $44.3M investment over seven years?
The provided data lacks specific research objectives or expected outcomes for this task order. A detailed review of the contract's statement of work is necessary to understand the scope of research and evaluate if the $44.3M investment is justified by tangible advancements or solutions in complex operational systems.
How will the Department of Defense ensure that the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure does not incentivize unnecessary cost escalation over the contract's seven-year term?
Effective oversight is crucial. The Department of Defense must implement rigorous monitoring of expenditures, regular audits, and performance reviews to ensure the University of Dayton remains within the fixed fee parameters and avoids cost overruns. Clear communication channels and defined reporting requirements are essential.
Given the 'full and open competition' designation, what measures were taken to ensure a competitive landscape for such specialized R&D, and how was the final price determined to be fair and reasonable
While 'full and open competition' was stated, the specifics of the solicitation process and the evaluation criteria are not detailed. To ensure fairness, the DoD should have solicited proposals from multiple qualified entities and used a robust evaluation methodology that considered both technical merit and cost. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts would also inform price reasonableness.
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 › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: TWO STEP
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 300 COLLEGE PARK AVE, DAYTON, OH, 45469
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $180,550,000
Exercised Options: $165,550,000
Current Obligation: $44,308,703
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA239425DB007
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-05-31
Current End Date: 2032-05-31
Potential End Date: 2032-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-13
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