DoD's $10.2M R&D Contract with Jackson State University for Missile Systems Advanced Tech Development

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,192,284 ($10.2M)

Contractor: Jackson State University

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2004-07-14

End Date: 2006-07-14

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200410!002149!2100!W9113M!USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !W9113M04C0120 !A!N! !N! ! !20040714!20050713!044507085!044507085!044507085!N!JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY !1400 J R LYNCH STREET !JACKSON !MS!39217!36000!049!28!JACKSON !HINDS !MISS !+000001190000!N!N!000023755127!AC23!RDTE/MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS-ADV TECH DEV !A2 !MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS !000 !* !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !A!N!S!2!004!E! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!T!N! ! ! ! ! !A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! !Y! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: JACKSON, HINDS County, MISSISSIPPI, 39217

State: Mississippi Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $10.2 million to JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY for work described as: 200410!002149!2100!W9113M!USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !W9113M04C0120 !A!N! !N! ! !20040714!20050713!044507085!044507085!044507085!N!JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY !1400 J R LYNCH STREET !JACKSON !MS!39217!36000!049!28!JACKSON !HIND… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for advanced technology development in missile and space systems. 2. Focus on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 3. Contract duration of two years, indicating a project-based or phased approach. 4. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 5. The contract value represents a significant investment in specialized R&D. 6. Jackson State University is the sole awardee, highlighting its specific expertise.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $10.2 million for a two-year R&D effort appears within a reasonable range for specialized advanced technology development. However, without specific benchmarks for comparable research projects in missile and space systems, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type suggests that the government is reimbursing the contractor for allowable costs, which can sometimes lead to less cost control compared to fixed-price contracts. Further analysis of the specific deliverables and milestones would be needed to fully benchmark the value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. The presence of four bids suggests a reasonable level of competition for this specialized R&D requirement. This competitive process is generally expected to drive more favorable pricing and innovative solutions for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value through a wider pool of potential offerors and encourages competitive pricing.

Public Impact

Jackson State University benefits through research funding and enhanced capabilities. The contract supports the development of advanced technologies for missile and space systems. Geographic impact is primarily within Mississippi, supporting local research institutions. Workforce implications include opportunities for researchers, engineers, and support staff at the university.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns given the 'COST NO FEE' contract type if not closely monitored.
R&D projects inherently carry risks of not achieving desired technological breakthroughs within the timeframe.
Dependence on a single academic institution for critical advanced technology development.

Positive Signals

Award to an academic institution fosters innovation and strengthens university research capabilities.
Full and open competition suggests a thorough evaluation of multiple potential solutions.
Focus on advanced technology development aligns with strategic defense modernization goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced technologies for missile and space systems. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541710, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences,' encompasses a broad range of scientific and technical services. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and national security. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the Department of Defense's R&D budget allocations for similar advanced technology initiatives.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. As the awardee is Jackson State University, a large academic institution, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside. However, the university may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specific support services, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Army, which awarded the contract. The 'COST NO FEE' structure necessitates close monitoring of incurred costs to ensure they are allowable and reasonable. Performance reviews against project milestones and deliverables would be critical. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements, and the Inspector General's office would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Missile Defense Agency Research Programs
Advanced Technology Development Contracts
University Research Partnerships
Department of Defense R&D Spending

Risk Flags

Cost Control Risk (Cost No Fee)
R&D Outcome Uncertainty
Sole Source Awardee (University)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $10.2 million to JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY. 200410!002149!2100!W9113M!USA SPACE AND STRATEGIC DEF CDR !W9113M04C0120 !A!N! !N! ! !20040714!20050713!044507085!044507085!044507085!N!JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY !1400 J R LYNCH STREET !JACKSON !MS!39217!36000!049!28!JACKSON !HINDS !MISS !+000001190000!N!N!000023755127!AC23!RDTE/MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS-ADV TECH DEV !A2 !MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS !000 !* !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !999

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-07-14. End: 2006-07-14.

What specific advanced technologies were developed under this contract for missile and space systems?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' with a focus on 'MISSILE AND SPACE SYSTEMS-ADV TECH DEV'. However, the specific advanced technologies developed are not detailed in the summary data. Typically, such contracts would involve research into areas like advanced materials, propulsion systems, guidance and control technologies, or sensor development for missile and space applications. A deeper dive into contract performance reports or technical documentation would be required to identify the precise technological advancements achieved.

How does the $10.2 million contract value compare to similar R&D efforts in missile and space systems?

Benchmarking this $10.2 million contract value against similar R&D efforts in missile and space systems is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts. However, for a two-year advanced technology development project awarded under full and open competition to a university, this amount appears to be within a plausible range. Defense R&D contracts can vary significantly based on scope, complexity, and the maturity of the technology being investigated. Larger, more complex programs involving hardware development or system integration would typically command higher values.

What is the track record of Jackson State University in securing and executing large federal R&D contracts, particularly in defense?

The provided data shows Jackson State University as the awardee of this specific $10.2 million Department of Defense contract. To assess their overall track record, one would need to examine historical contract awards to the university from various federal agencies, especially the Department of Defense. Information on past performance, successful project completion, and adherence to budget and schedule would be crucial. Universities often engage in R&D through grants and contracts, and their success can vary widely depending on their research focus areas and established partnerships.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a 'COST NO FEE' contract for advanced R&D?

The 'COST NO FEE' contract type, while common for R&D where outcomes are uncertain, carries inherent risks. The primary risk is that the contractor may not have a strong incentive to control costs rigorously, as the government agrees to reimburse all allowable costs. This can potentially lead to cost overruns if not managed with stringent oversight. Furthermore, the absence of a fee means the contractor is not directly profiting from the work beyond cost recovery, which could, in some cases, impact motivation if not balanced by other factors like institutional mission or future opportunities. Effective government oversight is paramount to mitigate these risks.

How does the 'full and open competition' award mechanism impact the taxpayer in this specific instance?

Awarding this contract through 'full and open competition' is generally advantageous for taxpayers. It means that the Department of the Army solicited proposals from all responsible sources, allowing for a wider range of potential contractors to compete. This competitive environment typically drives down prices, encourages innovation, and ensures that the government selects the offer that provides the best overall value. In this case, with four bids received, the competition likely helped ensure that Jackson State University's proposal was cost-effective and technically sound relative to other potential research institutions or companies.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 541710 in understanding the scope of this contract?

The NAICS code 541710, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences,' signifies that this contract is focused on scientific inquiry and experimentation aimed at discovering or interpreting facts, principles, or theories for application. This broad category covers a wide array of research activities, from basic scientific exploration to applied research and experimental development. For this specific contract, it indicates that the work undertaken by Jackson State University involves advanced scientific and engineering work related to physical phenomena, engineering processes, or biological systems, likely with a direct application towards missile and space technologies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1400 J R LYNCH STREET, JACKSON, MS, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Higher Education, Higher Education (Minority Serving), Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline