DoD's $4.28M Intrinsic Cognitive Security Program Awarded to SRI International
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,281,157 ($4.3M)
Contractor: SRI International
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-06-21
End Date: 2026-03-20
Contract Duration: 637 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 22
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: INTRINSIC COGNITIVE SECURITY (ICS) PROGRAM
Place of Performance
Location: PRINCETON, MERCER County, NEW JERSEY, 08540
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $4.3 million to SRI INTERNATIONAL for work described as: INTRINSIC COGNITIVE SECURITY (ICS) PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract focuses on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. SRI International, a known entity, secured this definitive contract. 3. The award is for a fixed fee, indicating a defined scope. 4. The project duration is 637 days, suggesting a medium-term initiative.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $4.28M for a 637-day duration appears reasonable for a research and development project of this nature. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for this advanced research initiative.
Public Impact
Advancement in cognitive security research could lead to enhanced national security capabilities. The project's R&D focus may yield novel technologies with dual-use applications. Investment in specialized research areas like this supports technological innovation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
- Dependence on a single contractor for specialized research.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Clear contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically within NAICS code 541715. Spending in this sector is critical for maintaining technological superiority and innovation, with significant government investment annually.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to SRI International, a large research organization. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, which is common for highly specialized R&D efforts.
Oversight & Accountability
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is known for its rigorous oversight of R&D programs. The definitive contract structure with a fixed fee provides a framework for 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 contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
- The specialized nature of the R&D may limit the pool of qualified contractors.
- The duration of the contract (637 days) is substantial for an R&D project.
- No explicit mention of small business subcontracting goals.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, nj, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $4.3 million to SRI INTERNATIONAL. INTRINSIC COGNITIVE SECURITY (ICS) PROGRAM
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 $4.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-06-21. End: 2026-03-20.
What are the specific deliverables and expected outcomes for the Intrinsic Cognitive Security Program?
The specific deliverables and expected outcomes are not detailed in the provided data. However, given the program's name and the R&D focus, it likely aims to develop advanced methods for understanding and securing complex cognitive systems, potentially leading to new defense mechanisms against adversarial cognitive manipulation or enhancing human-machine teaming.
What is the potential long-term impact of this research on cognitive security technologies?
The long-term impact could be significant, potentially leading to breakthroughs in AI safety, human-computer interaction, and cybersecurity. Advances in understanding cognitive processes could enable more robust defenses against sophisticated cyber threats and improve the reliability of autonomous systems in critical applications.
How will the success of this program be measured and evaluated by DARPA?
DARPA typically measures the success of R&D programs through milestone achievements, prototype demonstrations, and the transition of developed technologies into operational systems or further research phases. Specific metrics would likely be tied to the program's defined objectives, such as the efficacy of developed security protocols or the performance of new cognitive modeling techniques.
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 › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: HR001124S0002
Offers Received: 22
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: $8,052,463
Exercised Options: $8,052,463
Current Obligation: $4,281,157
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 5
Total Subaward Amount: $4,246,392
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-06-21
Current End Date: 2026-03-20
Potential End Date: 2026-03-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-06
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