DoD's $105M CBRN Defense Contract Awarded to Battelle Memorial Institute
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $104,900,677 ($104.9M)
Contractor: Battelle Memorial Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-01-22
End Date: 2026-01-24
Contract Duration: 1,828 days
Daily Burn Rate: $57.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IAC MAC 2080 CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL RADIOLOGICAL NUCLEAR DEFENSE TESTING AND ANALYTICS FOR JOINT ENTERPRISE FIELDING AND SURVEILLANCE
Place of Performance
Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43201
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $104.9 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE for work described as: IAC MAC 2080 CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL RADIOLOGICAL NUCLEAR DEFENSE TESTING AND ANALYTICS FOR JOINT ENTERPRISE FIELDING AND SURVEILLANCE Key points: 1. The contract focuses on critical CBRN defense testing and analytics for joint enterprise fielding and surveillance. 2. Battelle Memorial Institute, a significant player in R&D, secured this award. 3. The contract's value is substantial, indicating a high level of investment in this specialized area. 4. The sector is R&D, specifically focusing on advanced defense capabilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee. This structure can be effective for R&D where costs are uncertain, but requires careful oversight to manage expenses.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method aims to ensure the government receives competitive pricing by allowing all eligible sources to submit proposals.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is intended to maximize taxpayer value by securing the best possible pricing for essential defense capabilities.
Public Impact
Enhances national security through advanced CBRN defense capabilities. Supports joint military operations with critical testing and surveillance analytics. Invests in cutting-edge research and development within the defense sector. Provides essential services for protecting military personnel and civilians from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- The long duration of the contract (over 5 years) requires sustained oversight.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating potential for good value.
- Focuses on a critical national security need (CBRN defense).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically for physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority in defense.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Battelle Memorial Institute and does not indicate any specific set-asides or participation requirements for small businesses in this particular award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Air Force is the contracting agency. Oversight will be critical to ensure cost control and performance under the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, especially given the R&D nature of the work.
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 in CPFF contract.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
- Complexity of R&D may lead to unforeseen challenges.
- Dependence on contractor's technical expertise.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, oh, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $104.9 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE. IAC MAC 2080 CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL RADIOLOGICAL NUCLEAR DEFENSE TESTING AND ANALYTICS FOR JOINT ENTERPRISE FIELDING AND SURVEILLANCE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE.
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 $104.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-01-22. End: 2026-01-24.
What is the expected return on investment for this CBRN defense R&D contract?
The return on investment is primarily measured in enhanced national security and reduced risk from CBRN threats. Quantifying this in monetary terms is challenging, but the value lies in preventing catastrophic events and ensuring military readiness. The contract's success will be evaluated based on the effectiveness of the developed technologies and analytics in real-world scenarios and exercises.
What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type for this R&D effort?
The main risks with CPFF contracts in R&D are potential cost overruns and scope creep. Since R&D inherently involves uncertainty, actual costs can exceed initial estimates. The fixed fee provides incentive for the contractor to control costs, but the government bears the risk of actual cost increases. Robust monitoring and clear performance metrics are essential to mitigate these risks.
How effective is the chosen competition method in ensuring optimal value for taxpayer funds?
Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring optimal value, as it allows a wide range of qualified contractors to bid, fostering a competitive environment. This typically leads to better pricing and innovation. However, the effectiveness also depends on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria, and the government's ability to manage the resulting contract.
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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 505 KING AVENUE, COLUMBUS, OH, 43201
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $105,934,394
Exercised Options: $105,934,394
Current Obligation: $104,900,677
Actual Outlays: $16,354,786
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 40
Total Subaward Amount: $54,734,605
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA807518D0016
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-01-22
Current End Date: 2026-01-24
Potential End Date: 2026-01-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-21
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