DoD's FAUST R&D Contract with SRI International: $230M for Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,025,020 ($23.0M)
Contractor: SRI International
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-06-04
End Date: 2014-03-06
Contract Duration: 1,736 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: FAUST - FLEXIBLE ACQUISITION AND UNDERSTANDING SYSTEM FOR TE
Place of Performance
Location: MENLO PARK, SAN MATEO County, CALIFORNIA, 94025
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $23.0 million to SRI INTERNATIONAL for work described as: FAUST - FLEXIBLE ACQUISITION AND UNDERSTANDING SYSTEM FOR TE Key points: 1. The contract focuses on Research and Development in specialized scientific fields. 2. SRI International is a significant player in the R&D sector. 3. The contract duration of 1736 days suggests a substantial, long-term project. 4. The 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' sector is critical for technological advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific project details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better value.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition suggests an effort to secure competitive pricing, benefiting taxpayers by avoiding sole-source premiums.
Public Impact
Advancement in physical, engineering, and life sciences research can lead to new technologies and capabilities. SRI International's involvement suggests a focus on innovation and cutting-edge development. The significant contract value indicates a substantial investment in research with potential long-term societal or defense benefits.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize higher spending.
- Long contract duration may indicate potential for scope creep or evolving requirements.
Positive Signals
- Awarded via full and open competition.
- SRI International is a reputable research institution.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation but can be less predictable in terms of direct ROI compared to other sectors.
Small Business Impact
There is no specific indication of small business participation in this contract data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Air Force, implying oversight from a major defense agency. However, the specific oversight mechanisms for this R&D project are not detailed in the provided data.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Long contract duration.
- Specialized R&D field with inherent uncertainty.
- Lack of specific outcome data.
- No explicit small business participation noted.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ca, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $23.0 million to SRI INTERNATIONAL. FAUST - FLEXIBLE ACQUISITION AND UNDERSTANDING SYSTEM FOR TE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SRI INTERNATIONAL.
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 $23.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-06-04. End: 2014-03-06.
What specific research outcomes were achieved under this contract, and did they align with the initial objectives and projected value?
The provided data does not detail the specific research outcomes or their alignment with objectives. Assessing the value requires a review of deliverables, technological advancements, and their impact relative to the $230 million investment. Without this, it's difficult to definitively state if the value was fully realized.
What were the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee R&D contract, and how were they mitigated?
Key risks likely included cost overruns due to the nature of R&D and the CPFF structure, potential for scope creep, and the inherent uncertainty of research outcomes. Mitigation strategies would typically involve rigorous project management, regular progress reviews, clear milestone definitions, and strong government oversight to control costs and ensure alignment with research goals.
How effective was the full and open competition in ensuring a competitive price for this specialized R&D service?
Full and open competition is generally effective in driving competitive pricing. However, for highly specialized R&D services like those provided by SRI International, the pool of qualified bidders might be limited. While competition likely ensured a fair price among capable entities, the ultimate effectiveness depends on the number and competitiveness of the bids received.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 333 RAVENSWOOD AVE, MENLO PARK, CA, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,025,020
Exercised Options: $23,025,020
Current Obligation: $23,025,020
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-06-04
Current End Date: 2014-03-06
Potential End Date: 2014-03-06 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-03-29
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