DoD Awards $33.7M Contract to Tecolote Research for R&D Support Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $33,702,291 ($33.7M)
Contractor: Tecolote Research, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-11-14
End Date: 2026-11-13
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $46.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES EXPERT SERVICES NEEDED BY SSC AATS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO ADEQUATELY FULFILL ITS ACQUISITION ROLE, EFFICIENTLY IN A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SPACE-CENTRIC ENVIRONMENT.
Place of Performance
Location: EL SEGUNDO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90245
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $33.7 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES EXPERT SERVICES NEEDED BY SSC AATS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO ADEQUATELY FULFILL ITS ACQUISITION ROLE, EFFICIENTLY IN A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SPACE-CENTRIC ENVIRONMENT. Key points: 1. Contract supports critical acquisition roles in a research and development environment. 2. Tecolote Research, Inc. is the awardee. 3. The contract is for R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 4. This is a Firm Fixed Price contract. 5. The contract duration is 729 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $33.7 million over two years appears reasonable for specialized R&D support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for expert acquisition support in the defense sector would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating a limited competition. This method may impact price discovery compared to unrestricted full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to procure specialized expertise to ensure effective government acquisition in a complex R&D environment.
Public Impact
Ensures the government can effectively manage complex research and development acquisitions. Supports the Department of the Air Force's mission in advanced scientific and engineering fields. Provides critical services to maintain the government's acquisition capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may not yield the best possible price.
- Contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts risk to the contractor but requires careful scope definition.
Positive Signals
- Supports a critical government function (acquisition).
- Focuses on R&D, a key area for technological advancement.
- Awarded to a single entity, suggesting specialized expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area is crucial for national security and technological advancement, with significant government investment annually.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business set-asides were considered or if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of the Air Force, which has established oversight mechanisms for acquisition and contract performance. The 'exclusion of sources' aspect warrants scrutiny to ensure fairness and justification.
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
- Limited competition raises concerns about potential price inflation.
- Justification for excluding sources needs thorough review.
- Firm Fixed Price contract requires precise scope definition to avoid disputes.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ca, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $33.7 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC.. THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES EXPERT SERVICES NEEDED BY SSC AATS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO ADEQUATELY FULFILL ITS ACQUISITION ROLE, EFFICIENTLY IN A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SPACE-CENTRIC ENVIRONMENT.
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 $33.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-11-14. End: 2026-11-13.
What specific expertise does Tecolote Research, Inc. bring that justified the exclusion of other potential sources?
The justification for excluding other sources likely stems from Tecolote Research, Inc.'s unique qualifications, specialized knowledge, or proprietary technologies essential for the specific R&D support required by SSC AATS. This could include deep domain expertise in niche scientific fields, proven track records on similar complex projects, or established relationships and processes critical to the government's acquisition role in this specific R&D environment.
How does the 'exclusion of sources' procurement method impact the overall value for taxpayer money?
While 'exclusion of sources' can ensure specialized needs are met by the most qualified vendor, it inherently limits competition. This can potentially lead to higher prices than if a broader range of vendors were allowed to compete. The government must demonstrate that the selected vendor provides the best value, considering both technical capability and cost, to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract to ensure effective service delivery?
Key performance indicators would likely focus on the contractor's ability to provide timely and accurate expert advice, support the government's decision-making process in acquisition, and contribute to the efficient execution of R&D projects. Metrics could include adherence to project timelines, quality of deliverables, responsiveness to government requests, and successful facilitation of acquisition milestones within the R&D space.
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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: FA881124RB003
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 420 S FAIRVIEW AVE STE 201, GOLETA, CA, 93117
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $147,651,461
Exercised Options: $55,193,595
Current Obligation: $33,702,291
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 8
Total Subaward Amount: $19,161,782
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS619
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-11-14
Current End Date: 2026-11-13
Potential End Date: 2029-11-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-10
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