DoD's $6.5M R&D contract for Wingman Connect study awarded to University of Rochester

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,527,778 ($6.5M)

Contractor: University of Rochester

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-11-16

End Date: 2026-05-16

Contract Duration: 1,277 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: PKH: LANSBERG: SNYDER, WINGMAN CONNECT R&D STUDY

Place of Performance

Location: ROCHESTER, MONROE County, NEW YORK, 14627

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $6.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER for work described as: PKH: LANSBERG: SNYDER, WINGMAN CONNECT R&D STUDY Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development in social sciences and humanities. 2. Focus on the Wingman Connect R&D study, indicating a specialized research area. 3. Long contract duration of 1277 days suggests a complex, multi-phase research project. 4. Awarded as a definitive contract, implying a structured agreement for services. 5. No small business set-aside, suggesting the primary contractor is not a small business. 6. Contract value of over $6.5 million for a multi-year research initiative.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this R&D contract is challenging without specific deliverables or comparable studies. The 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type suggests the government is not paying for the contractor's time but rather reimbursing direct costs associated with the research. This can sometimes lead to less stringent cost control if not properly monitored. Given the lack of competition and the specialized nature of the research, it's difficult to assess if the pricing represents fair market value without more detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor was solicited. This typically occurs when a specific entity possesses unique capabilities, intellectual property, or is the only responsible source. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for price discovery through a bidding process, potentially leading to higher costs for the government compared to a competed contract.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit taxpayer value by removing the competitive pressure that drives down prices. Without multiple bids, the government cannot be assured it received the best possible price for the research services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force, which will receive the results of the Wingman Connect R&D study. The research aims to advance understanding in social sciences and humanities, potentially leading to improved human-machine teaming or operational concepts. The geographic impact is primarily within New York, where the University of Rochester is located, though the research findings could have national defense implications. Workforce implications may include research personnel at the University of Rochester, contributing to the academic and research sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and limited innovation.
Sole-source award requires strong justification to ensure it's truly the only viable option.
Cost No Fee contract type needs careful oversight to prevent cost overruns without direct fee incentive.
Research scope is broad ('Social Sciences and Humanities'), requiring clear definition of success metrics.

Positive Signals

University of Rochester is a reputable research institution, suggesting a high likelihood of quality research output.
Definitive contract structure provides a clear framework for the multi-year research effort.
Focus on R&D aligns with the DoD's need for technological and conceptual advancements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. The R&D sector is crucial for defense innovation, encompassing a wide range of activities from basic research to applied development. Comparable spending benchmarks in this area are difficult to establish due to the specialized and often unique nature of R&D projects. However, multi-year R&D contracts for complex studies can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the scope and contractor.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. The University of Rochester, as the prime contractor, is an academic institution and not typically classified as a small business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could represent a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem in defense R&D.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. As a Cost No Fee contract, rigorous monitoring of direct costs and research progress is essential. Transparency may be limited due to the sole-source nature and the proprietary aspects of R&D. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Air Force Science and Technology Investments
University Research Partnerships with Government
Human-Machine Teaming Research Initiatives

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Cost No Fee contract requires diligent oversight of expenditures.
Broad R&D scope may lack specific, measurable outcomes without a detailed SOW.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $6.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER. PKH: LANSBERG: SNYDER, WINGMAN CONNECT R&D STUDY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER.

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 $6.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-11-16. End: 2026-05-16.

What specific research questions or objectives does the Wingman Connect R&D study aim to address?

The provided data does not specify the exact research questions or objectives for the Wingman Connect R&D study. However, given the contract's classification under 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities' and its award to the Department of the Air Force, it likely pertains to understanding human factors, cognitive processes, social dynamics, or ethical considerations relevant to military operations, potentially involving advanced technologies or systems. Further details would typically be found in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS), which are not publicly available in this data snippet.

What is the track record of the University of Rochester in performing similar R&D contracts for the Department of Defense?

The University of Rochester has a history of engaging in research and development, often in collaboration with government agencies, including the Department of Defense. While specific details on past DoD contracts are not provided here, its status as a major research university suggests experience in managing complex research projects, securing funding, and delivering research outcomes. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their contract history, past performance evaluations, and specific project successes or challenges related to defense-related R&D.

How does the $6.5 million contract value compare to similar R&D studies in social sciences and humanities for the DoD?

Directly comparing the $6.5 million value is difficult without knowing the specific scope and duration of comparable R&D studies. However, multi-year research initiatives in specialized fields like social sciences and humanities for defense applications can vary significantly. This figure suggests a substantial, long-term research effort. The 'Cost No Fee' structure means the government reimburses direct costs, so the $6.5 million represents the estimated direct costs incurred by the university over the contract period, rather than a profit-driven price. Benchmarking would require access to detailed cost breakdowns and similar project scopes.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or deliverables for this contract. Typically, R&D contracts of this nature would outline specific research milestones, interim reports, final research papers, presentations, or prototypes. The success of the contract would be measured against the timely and effective completion of these defined outputs, as stipulated in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). Without the SOW, these KPIs remain unspecified.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The justification for a sole-source award is not provided in the data. Generally, sole-source contracts are justified when only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs. This could be due to unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, proprietary technology, or the urgency of the requirement where competition is not feasible. For this specific contract, the University of Rochester might possess unique expertise or intellectual property related to the Wingman Connect study that makes them the only viable option. A formal justification document (e.g., Justification and Approval - J&A) would typically be required and may be available through other government contracting portals.

What is the historical spending trend for R&D in social sciences and humanities by the Department of the Air Force?

Historical spending trends for R&D in social sciences and humanities by the Department of the Air Force are not detailed in the provided data. However, the DoD, including the Air Force, invests significantly in R&D across various disciplines to maintain technological superiority and understand operational environments. Spending in social sciences and humanities often supports areas like human factors, intelligence analysis, psychological operations, and strategic studies. Analyzing historical budgets and contract awards for similar NAICS codes (like 541720) over several fiscal years would be necessary to identify trends, funding priorities, and the typical scale of such investments.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: FA701422R0068

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 500 JOSEPH C WILSON BLVD, ROCHESTER, NY, 14627

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: $6,527,778

Exercised Options: $6,527,778

Current Obligation: $6,527,778

Actual Outlays: $308,789

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline