DoD Awards $24.6M Milsatcom Delivery Order to Tecolote Research for R&D Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,565,836 ($24.6M)
Contractor: Tecolote Research, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-02-22
End Date: 2011-12-13
Contract Duration: 1,755 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DELIVERY ORDER FOR MILSATCOM
Place of Performance
Location: EL SEGUNDO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90245
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $24.6 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: DELIVERY ORDER FOR MILSATCOM Key points: 1. Spending focused on Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Tecolote Research, Inc. secured the contract under full and open competition. 3. The contract duration was 1755 days, indicating a significant project timeline. 4. No small business participation was noted in this award.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The total award amount of $24.6M for a nearly 5-year period suggests a moderate per-year spend, but without specific deliverables or unit costs, a precise value assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure might limit the government's ability to achieve the lowest possible price compared to fixed-price contracts.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for R&D services, with the potential for cost variability due to the T&M contract type.
Public Impact
Supports advanced military satellite communications (Milsatcom) research. Funds research and development activities within the physical and engineering sciences. Contract awarded to a single entity, Tecolote Research, Inc.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials contract type increases cost risk.
- No small business participation.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical Milsatcom technology.
Sector Analysis
This award falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically NAICS code 541712. Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement but can be subject to cost fluctuations and long development cycles.
Small Business Impact
This contract did not include provisions for small business participation. This could be due to the specialized nature of the R&D required or a lack of focus on small business subcontracting opportunities for this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Air Force, part of the Department of Defense. Oversight would typically involve program managers ensuring research objectives are met and costs are tracked, especially given the T&M structure.
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 risk associated with Time and Materials contract.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ca, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $24.6 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC.. DELIVERY ORDER FOR MILSATCOM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC..
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 $24.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-02-22. End: 2011-12-13.
What specific Milsatcom technologies or capabilities were researched under this contract, and what was the expected return on investment for the $24.6M expenditure?
The specific Milsatcom technologies researched are not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require access to the contract's SOW and performance reports. The ROI is difficult to quantify for R&D, as outcomes can be long-term and may not always result in immediate, tangible returns. Future military capabilities and technological superiority are the primary expected returns.
Given the Time and Materials contract type, what measures were in place to control costs and prevent potential overruns during the 1755-day performance period?
While the data indicates a T&M contract, it doesn't specify cost control measures. Typically, agencies use CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers) with estimated hours, labor rate ceilings, and require detailed reporting. Robust oversight by contracting officers and technical monitors is crucial to scrutinize invoices, track progress against milestones, and ensure efficient resource utilization to mitigate cost risks.
How did the full and open competition process ensure that Tecolote Research, Inc. offered the best value and technical approach for the Milsatcom R&D requirements?
Full and open competition allows any responsible source to submit an offer, fostering a competitive environment. The evaluation process, which is not detailed here, would have assessed technical proposals and pricing to determine the best value. Tecolote Research, Inc. likely demonstrated superior technical expertise or a more advantageous approach to meet the demanding Milsatcom R&D needs compared to other bidders.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1 S LOS CARNEROS RD # 125, GOLETA, CA, 24
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $53,211,985
Exercised Options: $33,914,039
Current Obligation: $24,565,836
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS23F0105K
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-02-22
Current End Date: 2011-12-13
Potential End Date: 2011-12-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-02-15
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