DoD's $47.8M WMD Echo Detector R&D contract awarded to Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $47,868,057 ($47.9M)

Contractor: Icahn School of Medicine AT Mount Sinai

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-04-01

End Date: 2024-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,101 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: RESEARCH IAW THE SOW, "WMD ECHO DETECTOR."

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10029

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $47.9 million to ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI for work described as: RESEARCH IAW THE SOW, "WMD ECHO DETECTOR." Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical research and development for Weapons of Mass Destruction detection. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust market for this specialized technology. 3. Long contract duration (2101 days) indicates a complex, multi-year research effort. 4. Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type allows for flexibility in R&D but requires careful cost management. 5. Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) is a key area for national security. 6. The contract's value is significant within the R&D sector for this specific capability.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $47.8 million for a 5.7-year R&D effort appears reasonable given the specialized nature of WMD detection technology. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in biotechnology and defense is challenging due to the unique focus on 'WMD Echo Detector.' However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure is typical for exploratory research where final costs are not precisely predictable. The number of bids (10) suggests a competitive environment that likely helped in establishing a fair price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the Department of the Navy sought proposals from all responsible sources. Ten offers were received, demonstrating a healthy level of interest and competition for this specialized R&D requirement. The competitive process likely contributed to achieving a fair and reasonable price for the research services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for critical national security research, ensuring funds are used efficiently for advanced WMD detection capabilities.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are national security agencies and military personnel who will gain enhanced capabilities for detecting Weapons of Mass Destruction. The research delivered aims to advance the state-of-the-art in biological detection systems. The geographic impact is national, focusing on enhancing defense capabilities across various operational theaters. Workforce implications include specialized scientific and technical roles within the Icahn School of Medicine and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
The long duration of the contract necessitates sustained oversight to ensure progress and adherence to objectives.
The specialized nature of WMD detection may limit the number of truly qualified bidders in future procurements.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad market search.
Receipt of 10 offers suggests significant contractor interest and a competitive landscape.
The contract is with a reputable medical institution with strong research capabilities.
Focus on a critical national security area (WMD detection) aligns with defense priorities.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development in Biotechnology sector, specifically focusing on advanced detection technologies relevant to national security. This sector is characterized by high innovation, significant government investment, and a need for specialized scientific expertise. The market size for such specialized defense R&D is substantial, driven by evolving threats and the need for technological superiority. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to pinpoint due to the unique 'WMD Echo Detector' focus, but R&D contracts in this domain often represent significant investments.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement (ss: false, sb: false). While the primary awardee is a large institution, there is potential for small businesses to participate as subcontractors, particularly those specializing in niche technologies or services required for the research. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on the extent to which Icahn School of Medicine engages them in fulfilling the contract's SOW.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Navy, likely through contracting officers and technical representatives responsible for monitoring research progress, cost expenditures, and adherence to the Statement of Work (SOW). The cost-plus-fixed-fee nature necessitates rigorous financial oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements, though specific research details may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Biotechnology Research and Development
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Programs
Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Defense Initiatives
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Grants

Risk Flags

Cost Control Risk (CPFF)
Long-term Project Management
Technological Obsolescence
Sensitive Technology Oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $47.9 million to ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI. RESEARCH IAW THE SOW, "WMD ECHO DETECTOR."

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $47.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-04-01. End: 2024-12-31.

What is the specific 'WMD Echo Detector' technology being researched under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific technological aspects of the 'WMD Echo Detector.' The Statement of Work (SOW) indicates research is required for this technology, but the exact nature, operational principles, and intended application are not publicly disclosed in this summary. Such details are often classified or proprietary due to the sensitive national security implications of WMD detection. Further information would likely require access to the full SOW or related technical documentation, which may be restricted.

How does the $47.8 million contract value compare to similar WMD detection R&D efforts?

Direct comparison of the $47.8 million contract value to similar WMD detection R&D efforts is challenging without specific details on the 'WMD Echo Detector' technology and its scope. However, R&D contracts for advanced defense technologies, especially those involving novel scientific approaches like biotechnology for detection, can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. The value appears substantial but not necessarily outside the norm for cutting-edge, multi-year research in a critical national security domain. The fact that it was competed and received 10 bids suggests the value was perceived as fair within the market.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D?

The primary risks associated with a CPFF contract for R&D, like this one, revolve around cost control and contractor efficiency. While CPFF provides flexibility for research where exact costs are uncertain, it can incentivize contractors to incur higher costs as the government reimburses them. The fixed fee provides profit, but the overall cost can escalate. Effective oversight is crucial to ensure that costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable, and that the contractor is making diligent efforts to achieve the research objectives within the estimated cost parameters. Scope creep is another risk that needs careful management.

What is the track record of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai with DoD contracts?

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is a prominent medical research institution. While specific historical performance data on DoD contracts is not provided here, institutions of its caliber frequently engage in government-funded research, including defense-related projects. Their track record is generally associated with high-quality scientific research and innovation. Success in securing this contract suggests they possess the necessary expertise and capabilities deemed essential by the Department of the Navy for this specialized WMD detection R&D.

What are the potential implications of this contract for future WMD detection technologies?

This contract has the potential to significantly advance WMD detection capabilities by fostering innovation in biotechnology. The research conducted could lead to the development of novel sensors, analytical techniques, or integrated systems that offer improved sensitivity, specificity, speed, or portability compared to existing technologies. Successful outcomes could influence future defense procurement strategies, setting new benchmarks for detection performance and potentially leading to broader adoption of the developed technology across various security and defense agencies.

How does the geographic location (New York) influence the contract execution?

The contract is awarded to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, located in New York (NY). While the research itself is the primary focus, the location influences the logistical aspects of contract execution, such as the physical location of research facilities and personnel. It also means that the economic impact, in terms of employment and resource utilization, is concentrated in New York. For a research-intensive contract, the presence of a major medical and research hub like New York is advantageous for accessing talent and infrastructure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Solicitation ID: HR001118S0023

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: ONE GUSTAVE L LEVY PL, NEW YORK, NY, 10029

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $49,221,241

Exercised Options: $48,294,426

Current Obligation: $47,868,057

Actual Outlays: $8,199,795

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 16

Total Subaward Amount: $18,456,057

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline