DoD awards $450M+ to MITRE for National Security Engineering Center R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $450,408,373 ($450.4M)
Contractor: THE Mitre Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2013-10-01
End Date: 2015-01-31
Contract Duration: 487 days
Daily Burn Rate: $924.9K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF NATIONAL SECURITY ENGINEERING CENTER (NSEC) FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (FFRDC) OPERATED BY THE MITRE CORPORATION. AWARD OF NEW CONTRACT.
Place of Performance
Location: MC LEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $450.4 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF NATIONAL SECURITY ENGINEERING CENTER (NSEC) FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (FFRDC) OPERATED BY THE MITRE CORPORATION. AWARD OF NEW CONTRACT. Key points: 1. Significant investment in a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) focused on national security. 2. MITRE Corporation, a well-established FFRDC operator, is the sole awardee. 3. Contract duration is 487 days, suggesting a focused project or phase. 4. The award is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $450M+ over approximately 16 months represents a substantial investment. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables, but FFRDC contracts often reflect complex, long-term national security needs.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to MITRE Corporation. This approach is common for FFRDCs due to their unique mission and established relationship with the government, but it limits price discovery through competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed towards a critical national security R&D capability, with the expectation of advanced research outcomes.
Public Impact
Enhances national security through advanced engineering and research. Supports critical R&D infrastructure operated by a trusted entity. Potential for technological advancements with broad defense applications. Ensures continuity of specialized research services for the Department of Defense.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
- Lack of competition may reduce incentive for cost efficiency.
- FFRDC structure can sometimes lead to less agile contract management.
Positive Signals
- Award to a highly reputable FFRDC operator (MITRE).
- Focus on critical national security R&D.
- Long-standing relationship likely ensures effective program execution.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and addressing complex national security challenges.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded directly to The MITRE Corporation, a large FFRDC operator. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
As an FFRDC, the MITRE Corporation operates under specific oversight frameworks designed to ensure its work aligns with government needs. The Department of the Army is the contracting agency, implying direct oversight of this award.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- High contract value
- Long-term reliance on a single entity
- Potential for cost overruns without competition
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $450.4 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF NATIONAL SECURITY ENGINEERING CENTER (NSEC) FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (FFRDC) OPERATED BY THE MITRE CORPORATION. AWARD OF NEW CONTRACT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE MITRE CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $450.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-10-01. End: 2015-01-31.
What specific national security challenges does the NSEC address with this funding?
The National Security Engineering Center (NSEC) likely focuses on advanced research and development in areas critical to national security, such as cybersecurity, resilient systems, advanced materials, and complex system integration. As an FFRDC operated by MITRE, its mandate is to provide objective, independent research and analysis to address the government's most challenging technical and programmatic issues.
What are the risks associated with a sole-source FFRDC contract of this magnitude?
The primary risk of a sole-source FFRDC contract is the lack of competitive pressure, which could potentially lead to higher costs or less innovation compared to a competed contract. However, FFRDCs are chosen for their unique capabilities and trusted status, mitigating some risks by ensuring access to specialized expertise and objective analysis essential for long-term national security needs.
How will the effectiveness of the R&D investments be measured and ensured?
Effectiveness is typically measured through milestone achievements, technical reviews, and the successful application of research outcomes to solve specific national security problems. The government contracting agency, in this case the Department of the Army, will establish performance metrics and conduct regular oversight to ensure the R&D investments yield tangible benefits and meet defined objectives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: W15P7T13RA802
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7515 COLSHIRE DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102
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: $450,408,373
Exercised Options: $450,408,373
Current Obligation: $450,408,373
Actual Outlays: $1,691,332
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 6
Total Subaward Amount: $786,807
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-10-01
Current End Date: 2015-01-31
Potential End Date: 2018-09-30 12:09:00
Last Modified: 2020-09-01
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