DoD's $15M Science & Tech Fellowship Program awarded to National Academy of Sciences for 2 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,072,034 ($15.1M)

Contractor: National Academy of Sciences

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-02-01

End Date: 2026-01-31

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20418

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.1 million to NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES for work described as: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract aims to foster scientific advancement within the Department of Defense through fellowship opportunities. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a broad search for qualified entities. 3. The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 4. The program's duration of two years allows for meaningful engagement and project completion. 5. The National Academy of Sciences has a strong reputation for scientific advisory and fellowship management. 6. This contract represents a strategic investment in human capital for defense-related research and development.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $15 million over two years for a fellowship program appears reasonable, especially considering the specialized nature of scientific talent acquisition and management. Benchmarking against similar government-wide fellowship programs or grants for scientific research and development would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the expected costs and is seeking to control expenditures.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple interested parties had the opportunity to bid. The presence of four bidders (implied by 'no': 4) suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this specialized service. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the selection of the most capable provider.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and prevent price gouging.

Public Impact

Fellowship participants, likely scientists and researchers, will benefit from opportunities to engage with the Department of Defense. The program aims to deliver enhanced scientific and technical expertise to support DoD missions. The geographic impact is centered in Washington D.C., where the National Academy of Sciences is headquartered and likely where fellows will be based. Workforce implications include the potential for developing a pipeline of talent with defense-relevant scientific skills.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if fellowship projects are not clearly defined.
Dependence on the National Academy of Sciences' ability to attract high-caliber fellows.
Ensuring alignment between fellowship research and critical DoD needs.

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable institution (National Academy of Sciences) with a proven track record.
Fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on research and development support. This sector is crucial for government innovation and maintaining a technological edge. The National Academy of Sciences is a well-established entity within this space, often serving as a key advisor and facilitator for scientific endeavors across government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other fellowship programs or research grants managed by federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve a small business set-aside, as the awardee is the National Academy of Sciences, a large, non-profit organization. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. The focus is on the primary awardee's capacity to manage a high-level fellowship program.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would likely be managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), given their role in contract administration for the Department of Defense. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by limiting cost overruns. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements from the National Academy of Sciences on fellowship progress and outcomes. Specific accountability measures would be detailed in the contract's statement of work.

Related Government Programs

DoD Science and Technology Programs
National Science Foundation Fellowships
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Programs
Federal Research Grants

Risk Flags

Potential for misalignment between fellowship research and DoD priorities.
Risk of not attracting sufficient high-caliber scientific talent.
Challenges in integrating fellows into DoD research environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.1 million to NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-01. End: 2026-01-31.

What is the track record of the National Academy of Sciences in managing similar federal fellowship programs?

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has a long and distinguished history of managing scientific and technical fellowship programs for various government agencies, including the Department of Defense. They are renowned for their rigorous selection processes, their ability to attract top-tier scientific talent, and their expertise in program administration. NAS fellowships often provide unique opportunities for researchers to engage with policy-making bodies and contribute to national priorities. Their established infrastructure and reputation suggest a high likelihood of successful program execution for this DoD contract. Past performance reviews and program evaluations from previous NAS-managed fellowships would offer more granular insights into their specific successes and any challenges encountered.

How does the $15 million cost compare to similar federal fellowship initiatives?

Directly comparing the $15 million cost to 'similar' federal fellowship initiatives requires careful consideration of program scope, duration, number of fellows, and the specific scientific disciplines involved. However, for a two-year program aiming to bring specialized scientific talent into the Department of Defense, this figure appears to be within a reasonable range. For instance, other agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) manage numerous fellowship programs, some of which can reach similar or higher total funding levels over their duration, depending on the number of awards and stipends. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) also funds extensive research and training grants that can be comparable. The key differentiator here is the specific focus on DoD needs, which might involve unique security or research clearance requirements that could influence program costs.

What are the primary risks associated with this fellowship program contract?

Several risks are associated with this fellowship program. A primary risk is the potential for a mismatch between the research conducted by fellows and the evolving strategic needs of the Department of Defense; if fellowship projects are not closely aligned with current or future DoD priorities, the return on investment may be diminished. Another risk involves the ability of the National Academy of Sciences to attract a sufficient pool of highly qualified and diverse candidates, especially in specialized or emerging scientific fields. Programmatic risks also include potential delays in fellow onboarding, administrative inefficiencies, or challenges in integrating fellows into DoD research environments. Finally, there's a risk that the scientific advancements or insights generated by the fellows may not be effectively translated into actionable defense applications or policy changes.

How effective is the National Academy of Sciences in facilitating scientific advancement for government agencies?

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is widely regarded as highly effective in facilitating scientific advancement for government agencies. Its core mission involves providing independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology. Through its various boards and committees, NAS convenes leading experts to conduct studies, workshops, and consensus reports that address critical national challenges, including those faced by the Department of Defense. Their fellowship programs are a direct mechanism for injecting fresh scientific perspectives and expertise into agency operations. The NAS's convening power, rigorous review processes, and commitment to scientific integrity contribute significantly to advancing knowledge and informing policy, making them a trusted partner for government R&D initiatives.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar DoD fellowship or scientific advisory contracts?

Historical spending patterns for similar DoD fellowship or scientific advisory contracts can vary significantly based on the specific agency component, the duration of the contract, the number of individuals supported, and the complexity of the scientific domains involved. However, federal agencies, including the DoD, consistently allocate substantial resources to scientific research, development, and advisory services to maintain technological superiority and address national security challenges. Contracts for scientific expertise, research grants, and fellowship programs often run into millions or tens of millions of dollars over multi-year periods. Examining historical data for programs like the DoD's National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship or contracts with Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) managed by entities like the RAND Corporation or MITRE could provide relevant spending benchmarks. These patterns generally show a sustained commitment to leveraging external scientific talent.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: FA955024RB001

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2101 CONSTITUTION AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20418

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $69,903,024

Exercised Options: $18,371,429

Current Obligation: $15,072,034

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline