DoD awards Arizona State University $2.8M for military studies curriculum, with 8 bids received
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,831,940 ($2.8M)
Contractor: Arizona State University
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-10-01
End Date: 2025-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: MILITARY STUDIES CURRICULUM - BASE YEAR
Place of Performance
Location: TEMPE, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85281
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $2.8 million to ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY for work described as: MILITARY STUDIES CURRICULUM - BASE YEAR Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of curriculum development and delivery. 2. Strong competition with 8 bidders suggests a healthy market for educational services. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Performance period spans over three years, indicating a sustained need for the services. 5. This contract falls within the higher education sector, supporting academic institutions. 6. The award to a large university suggests capacity for complex curriculum design.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.83 million for a multi-year curriculum development project is within a reasonable range for services provided by a major university. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized academic program development would provide further context, but the fixed-price nature suggests a degree of cost certainty. The number of bids received indicates that the pricing was likely competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, with 8 bids received. This indicates a robust bidding process and suggests that the Department of the Navy sought a wide range of potential offerors. The significant number of bidders likely contributed to competitive pricing and allowed the agency to select the offeror best suited to meet the requirements.
Taxpayer Impact: A high level of competition benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment in educational services.
Public Impact
Benefits military personnel by providing specialized curriculum for their studies. Delivers educational services and curriculum development for the Department of the Navy. Geographic impact is primarily within Arizona, where Arizona State University is located, but the curriculum's reach extends to naval education nationwide. Workforce implications include employment for faculty and staff at Arizona State University involved in curriculum design and instruction.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if curriculum requirements are not clearly defined.
- Ensuring the curriculum remains relevant to evolving military needs over the contract duration.
Positive Signals
- Fixed-price contract type limits financial risk for the government.
- Award to a well-established university with a strong academic reputation.
- Multiple bidders indicate a competitive market, likely leading to better value.
Sector Analysis
This contract operates within the higher education sector, specifically focusing on specialized academic programs. The market for developing and delivering military-focused curricula involves universities and research institutions with expertise in defense studies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other contracts for academic program development or specialized training services within the federal government, particularly those awarded by defense agencies.
Small Business Impact
The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Given the nature of curriculum development for higher education, it is likely that larger institutions were best positioned to compete. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but could arise if ASU engages specialized content creators or research support.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will likely be managed by the Department of the Navy contracting officers and program managers responsible for naval education. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of specified curriculum. Transparency is supported by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific curriculum content details may be proprietary.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Education Programs
- Naval Education and Training Command
- University Research Partnerships
Risk Flags
- Potential for curriculum obsolescence if not updated regularly.
- Dependence on a single academic institution for a critical curriculum.
Tags
department-of-defense, department-of-the-navy, arizona-state-university, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, full-and-open-competition, higher-education, curriculum-development, academic-services, arizona, medium-value
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $2.8 million to ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY. MILITARY STUDIES CURRICULUM - BASE YEAR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-10-01. End: 2025-09-30.
What is Arizona State University's track record with Department of Defense contracts?
Arizona State University (ASU) has a history of engaging with federal agencies, including the Department of Defense (DoD), on various research and educational initiatives. While specific details on past DoD contracts for curriculum development are not provided in this data snippet, ASU's designation as a major research university suggests experience in managing large-scale projects and federal funding. A deeper dive into ASU's contract history with the DoD would reveal the extent and nature of their previous work, including performance metrics, any past issues, and their success in delivering on similar projects. This would provide valuable context for assessing their capability and reliability in fulfilling the current contract.
How does the $2.83 million contract value compare to similar military curriculum development contracts?
Benchmarking the $2.83 million contract value requires comparing it to similar contracts for specialized military curriculum development. Contracts of this nature can vary significantly based on the subject matter complexity, the duration of development and delivery, the number of courses or programs involved, and the specific academic institution's overhead and faculty rates. Given that this is a multi-year project (over three years) awarded under full and open competition with 8 bidders, the price appears to be within a reasonable range. However, without access to a database of comparable contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Factors like the inclusion of research, technology integration, or specialized faculty expertise could justify higher costs.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential scope creep, where the requirements for the curriculum may expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost increases or delays. Another risk is ensuring the curriculum remains relevant to the evolving needs of the military over its multi-year duration. Mitigation strategies are in place: the contract is firm fixed-price, which caps the government's financial exposure and incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively. Furthermore, the award to a reputable institution like Arizona State University suggests a lower risk of performance failure. Clear contract language and regular communication between the Department of the Navy and ASU are crucial for managing scope and relevance.
How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in ensuring program effectiveness for curriculum development?
The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in ensuring cost control and predictability for curriculum development. It places the responsibility on the contractor (Arizona State University) to deliver the specified curriculum within the agreed-upon price. This incentivizes ASU to be efficient and manage its resources effectively. For program effectiveness, the FFP structure requires clear and detailed performance work statements (PWS) to define the expected curriculum content, learning outcomes, and delivery methods. If the PWS is robust, the FFP contract can drive effectiveness by ensuring that ASU meets these defined standards. However, if the PWS is vague, the FFP structure might not adequately capture all aspects of educational quality or pedagogical innovation, potentially limiting effectiveness.
What are the historical spending patterns for military education and curriculum development by the Department of the Navy?
Historical spending patterns for military education and curriculum development by the Department of the Navy (DoN) typically show consistent investment in training and academic programs to support personnel readiness and professional development. The DoN allocates significant resources annually towards educational initiatives, including university partnerships, specialized training courses, and the development of new curricula aligned with strategic objectives. Spending can fluctuate based on geopolitical events, technological advancements requiring new skill sets, and shifts in defense strategy. Contracts like this one for military studies curriculum are part of a broader effort to maintain a highly skilled and knowledgeable naval force. Analyzing past DoN budgets and contract awards in this category would reveal trends in investment levels and focus areas.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: N0018920RZ071
Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 660 S MILL AVE STE 312, TEMPE, AZ, 85281
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,073,440
Exercised Options: $4,073,440
Current Obligation: $2,831,940
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0018920DZ802
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-10-01
Current End Date: 2025-09-30
Potential End Date: 2025-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-11
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