DARPA awards SRI International $23.9M for R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,973,788 ($24.0M)
Contractor: SRI International
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-06-08
End Date: 2026-03-01
Contract Duration: 2,092 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DARPA RESEARCH PROJECT
Place of Performance
Location: MENLO PARK, SAN MATEO County, CALIFORNIA, 94025
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $24.0 million to SRI INTERNATIONAL for work described as: DARPA RESEARCH PROJECT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to SRI International for R&D services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee. 4. Project duration is 2092 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult due to the specialized nature of DARPA projects.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Full and open competition was conducted, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure may not always incentivize the most cost-effective solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced research and development, with the ultimate benefit depending on the project's success and applicability.
Public Impact
Supports advanced research and development initiatives. Potential for technological breakthroughs with broad applications. Investment in scientific and engineering capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost uncertainty.
- Long project duration increases risk of scope creep or obsolescence.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition ensures a broad range of potential offerors.
- DARPA's mission is to foster transformative technologies.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but can be highly variable and difficult to benchmark due to its specialized nature.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this award.
Oversight & Accountability
DARPA is known for its rigorous oversight of research projects. The contract's definitive nature and fixed fee component suggest a structured approach to accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Long project duration (2092 days).
- Specialized R&D subject matter can be difficult to benchmark.
- Potential for scope creep in long-term research projects.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ca, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $24.0 million to SRI INTERNATIONAL. DARPA RESEARCH PROJECT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SRI INTERNATIONAL.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $24.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-06-08. End: 2026-03-01.
What is the specific research objective of this DARPA project?
The specific research objective is not detailed in the provided data. However, the NAICS code 541715 indicates it pertains to Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, excluding Nanotechnology and Biotechnology. Further details would be available in the contract's statement of work.
What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for this R&D project?
A Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract carries risks of cost overruns if the contractor's actual costs exceed estimates, even though the fee is fixed. For R&D, estimating costs accurately is challenging, potentially leading to less incentive for the contractor to control expenses compared to fixed-price contracts.
How does the full and open competition process benefit taxpayer value in this context?
Full and open competition allows any interested and qualified contractor to submit a bid, fostering a competitive environment. This process increases the likelihood of obtaining innovative solutions and potentially better pricing by encouraging multiple firms to propose their best technical approaches and cost structures.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: HR001119S0093
Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 333 RAVENSWOOD AVE, MENLO PARK, CA, 94025
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: $25,681,068
Exercised Options: $25,373,788
Current Obligation: $23,973,788
Actual Outlays: $161,787
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $1,202,756
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-06-08
Current End Date: 2026-03-01
Potential End Date: 2026-03-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-10-06
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