DoD's $45.5M SAFS II A&AS Contract Awarded to Tecolote Research, Inc. for R&D Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $45,481,644 ($45.5M)
Contractor: Tecolote Research, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-07-31
End Date: 2023-08-31
Contract Duration: 1,857 days
Daily Burn Rate: $24.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SAFS II A&AS
Place of Performance
Location: GOLETA, SANTA BARBARA County, CALIFORNIA, 93117
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $45.5 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: SAFS II A&AS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, Tecolote Research, Inc. 2. Significant value of $45.5 million over its period of performance. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', suggesting a potentially limited but justified approach. 4. The contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 5. No small business participation was indicated.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific service details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method implies that while the competition was open, certain sources were initially excluded, potentially limiting the pool of bidders. This method can impact price discovery if the excluded sources were highly competitive.
Taxpayer Impact: The $45.5 million expenditure represents a significant investment of taxpayer funds for R&D services. The effectiveness of this spending in achieving its research objectives will determine the ultimate taxpayer value.
Public Impact
Taxpayers are funding advanced research and development services for the Department of Defense. The contract supports specialized scientific and engineering expertise through Tecolote Research, Inc. The duration of the contract (over 5 years) indicates a long-term need for these R&D capabilities. The lack of small business involvement may limit opportunities for smaller, innovative firms in this sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition due to exclusion of sources.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee pricing can incentivize higher costs.
- No small business participation.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Contract supports critical R&D for the Department of the Air Force.
- Experienced contractor selected.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the R&D sector, specifically NAICS code 541712. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement but can be challenging to benchmark due to the unique nature of research projects and varying levels of innovation.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates no small business participation (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the prime contractor, Tecolote Research, Inc., is likely a large business and did not subcontract with small businesses for this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded via a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. Oversight would typically involve monitoring performance, costs, and adherence to the contract terms by the Department of the Air Force.
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
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
- Limited competition may reduce price competitiveness.
- Lack of small business participation.
- R&D outcomes can be uncertain and difficult to quantify in terms of immediate value.
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 $45.5 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC.. SAFS II A&AS
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 $45.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-07-31. End: 2023-08-31.
What specific R&D projects are being undertaken under this contract, and how do they align with the Department of the Air Force's strategic goals?
The specific R&D projects are not detailed in the provided data. However, the NAICS code 541712 suggests work in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Understanding the alignment with strategic goals would require reviewing the Statement of Work and the Air Force's R&D priorities to assess if the investment is directed towards critical future capabilities or addressing current technological gaps.
How was the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' justified, and what was the potential impact on pricing and innovation?
This competition method implies that initial sources were excluded before the remaining pool was opened to full and open competition. Justification typically involves factors like national security, unique capabilities, or prior successful performance. The impact on pricing could be higher if the excluded sources were strong competitors. Innovation might be limited if the excluded sources represented diverse approaches or technologies not captured by the selected bidders.
What metrics are used to evaluate the effectiveness and value of the R&D services provided by Tecolote Research, Inc. under this contract?
Effectiveness and value are typically measured by milestones achieved, successful development of prototypes or technologies, adherence to research objectives, and the ultimate utility of the research findings for the Department of the Air Force. Specific metrics would be defined in the contract's Statement of Work and performance standards, potentially including technical reviews, reports, and demonstrations of developed capabilities.
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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
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: $59,526,999
Exercised Options: $59,460,989
Current Obligation: $45,481,644
Actual Outlays: $890,767
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 384
Total Subaward Amount: $1,095,495,053
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: 2018-07-31
Current End Date: 2023-08-31
Potential End Date: 2023-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-24
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