DoD's $998K R&D contract with University of Dayton awarded sole-source for specialized research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,985,891 ($10.0M)
Contractor: University of Dayton
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2017-07-21
End Date: 2026-10-21
Contract Duration: 3,379 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF COASTER ID/IQ - SOLE SOURCE TASK ORDER 0002
Place of Performance
Location: DAYTON, MONTGOMERY County, OHIO, 45469
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $10.0 million to UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF COASTER ID/IQ - SOLE SOURCE TASK ORDER 0002 Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive price discovery. 2. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is a broad category with varying cost structures. 3. The contract's duration of over 9 years suggests a long-term need for the research services. 4. Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize cost overruns if not carefully managed. 5. The specific NAICS code (541712) indicates a focus on scientific research, often with unique cost drivers. 6. No small business set-aside was applied, indicating no specific focus on small business participation. 7. The contract is a delivery order under an ID/IQ vehicle, suggesting a pre-existing relationship or framework.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
Benchmarking the value of this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns and comparison to similar sole-source R&D efforts. The fixed fee component provides some cost certainty, but the cost-reimbursement nature of the base contract requires careful oversight to ensure efficiency. Given the sole-source award, it's difficult to assess if the pricing reflects competitive market rates. The long duration suggests a potentially significant investment, making value assessment critical.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning the Department of Defense did not solicit bids from multiple contractors. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances preclude full and open competition. The lack of competition means that pricing and terms were negotiated directly with the University of Dayton, without the benefit of competitive pressure to drive down costs or improve terms.
Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means there is a higher risk of paying a premium compared to a competitively bid contract. Without competing offers, it is harder to ensure that the government is receiving the best possible value for its investment.
Public Impact
The University of Dayton benefits directly as the contractor performing the research. The contract supports research and development activities within the physical, engineering, and life sciences sectors. The geographic impact is primarily in Ohio, where the University of Dayton is located. The contract likely supports specialized research personnel and facilities at the University of Dayton.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to potential cost escalation over time.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- University of Dayton is a known research institution, potentially bringing specialized expertise.
- ID/IQ vehicle may indicate a streamlined process for this type of research.
- Fixed fee component provides some level of cost predictability for the fee portion.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This sector is characterized by innovation, specialized expertise, and often long development cycles. Government spending in R&D is crucial for technological advancement and national security. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the specific research area, but R&D contracts can range significantly in value depending on complexity and duration.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. As a sole-source award to a university, the primary focus is likely on the institution's research capabilities rather than small business subcontracting opportunities. There is no explicit indication of subcontracting plans or requirements for small businesses within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Air Force. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight is essential to monitor expenditures and ensure that costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract. Transparency is dependent on the agency's reporting practices and the availability of contract details in public databases.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
- University Research Partnerships
- Air Force Science and Technology Investments
Risk Flags
- Sole Source Award
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contract Type
- Long Contract Duration
Tags
department-of-defense, department-of-the-air-force, research-and-development, sole-source, cost-plus-fixed-fee, university-of-dayton, ohio, delivery-order, naics-541712
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $10.0 million to UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON. IGF::OT::IGF COASTER ID/IQ - SOLE SOURCE TASK ORDER 0002
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 $10.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-07-21. End: 2026-10-21.
What specific research is being conducted under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541712, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology).' However, the specific research topic or project details are not included in the abbreviated data. To understand the precise nature of the work, one would need to consult the full contract award details or related documentation. This could range from materials science to aerospace engineering or other scientific disciplines relevant to the Department of the Air Force's mission.
How does the $998,589.00 value compare to similar sole-source R&D contracts awarded by the Air Force?
Comparing this $998,589.00 contract value to similar sole-source R&D contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. Sole-source R&D contracts can vary significantly in price based on the complexity, duration, and specialized nature of the research. Without specific details on the research scope, it's difficult to make a direct comparison. However, this amount represents a moderate investment for a multi-year R&D effort, and its 'value' is best assessed against the criticality and potential outcomes of the research for the Air Force.
What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for R&D?
Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts carry inherent risks, particularly in R&D where project scope and costs can be uncertain. The primary risk is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts, as the government reimburses allowable costs. While the fixed fee provides a profit ceiling, cost overruns can still increase the total contract value. Effective oversight by the government is crucial to monitor expenditures, ensure costs are reasonable and allocable, and manage scope creep to mitigate these risks.
What is the significance of the contract being a delivery order under an ID/IQ vehicle?
This contract is a delivery order issued under an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract. This implies that a broader ID/IQ contract was previously awarded, establishing terms and conditions for a range of potential services or products. Issuing a delivery order allows the agency to procure specific quantities or tasks under that existing framework. For this specific sole-source task order, it suggests that the University of Dayton was likely the only entity eligible or selected to receive task orders under that particular ID/IQ, or that this specific task order was justified as sole-source within the ID/IQ structure.
What is the University of Dayton's track record with federal R&D contracts?
The University of Dayton is a known research institution that frequently engages in federal research and development contracts, particularly with agencies like the Department of Defense. While specific details of their past performance on contracts of this exact value or type are not provided in the abbreviated data, universities typically have established research capabilities and administrative processes for managing government grants and contracts. Their track record would generally be assessed based on successful project completion, adherence to funding guidelines, and scientific contributions.
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 › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: FA865017S5003
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 300 COLLEGE PARK, 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: $9,995,000
Exercised Options: $9,995,000
Current Obligation: $9,985,891
Actual Outlays: $178,827
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 7
Total Subaward Amount: $1,010,889
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA865017D5650
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-07-21
Current End Date: 2026-10-21
Potential End Date: 2026-10-21 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-11
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