IARPA contract awarded to University of Chicago for $7.3M in R&D services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,329,423 ($7.3M)

Contractor: University of Chicago

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-09-22

End Date: 2026-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,255 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IARPA RESEARCH

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60637

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $7.3 million to UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO for work described as: IARPA RESEARCH Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced research and development, aligning with IARPA's mission to fund high-risk, high-reward research. 2. The awardee, University of Chicago, is a reputable research institution with a history of government contracting. 3. The contract duration of over 3 years suggests a significant research undertaking. 4. The 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' NAICS code indicates a broad scope of potential research areas. 5. The contract type 'COST NO FEE' implies that the government will reimburse allowable costs, with no fee or profit for the contractor. 6. The absence of small business set-aside indicates this was not specifically targeted for small business participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7.3 million over approximately 3.5 years for R&D services appears reasonable given the nature of advanced research. Benchmarking against similar IARPA contracts for fundamental research would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type suggests that the government is primarily focused on reimbursing direct research expenses rather than paying for contractor profit, which can be cost-effective for pure research endeavors. However, without detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit proposals. The presence of 6 bidders suggests a competitive environment for this research opportunity. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions, although for highly specialized R&D, the number of qualified bidders might be inherently limited.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value through a robust selection process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the researchers at the University of Chicago who will conduct the R&D. The services delivered will advance scientific knowledge and technological capabilities within the physical, engineering, and life sciences. The geographic impact is primarily within Illinois, where the University of Chicago is located, but the research outcomes could have national or global implications. The contract will likely support a workforce of researchers, technicians, and administrative staff at the university.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'COST NO FEE' structure requires careful monitoring of allowable costs to prevent overruns or inappropriate expense claims.
The broad NAICS code could lead to scope creep if not clearly defined and managed throughout the contract lifecycle.
The long contract duration necessitates sustained oversight to ensure research remains on track and aligned with IARPA's objectives.

Positive Signals

Award to a well-established research institution like the University of Chicago suggests a high likelihood of technical competence.
Full and open competition indicates a thorough vetting process and a potentially strong pool of qualified offerors.
The specific focus on R&D aligns with IARPA's mandate to explore cutting-edge technologies.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. IARPA (Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Agency) is known for funding high-risk, high-reward research projects that aim to provide a significant technological advantage to the U.S. intelligence community. The market for such specialized R&D is often dominated by universities and a few select research institutions capable of undertaking complex scientific endeavors. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve looking at other IARPA awards or similar agency R&D contracts in related scientific fields.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, nor is the awardee a small business. This suggests that the primary focus was on selecting the most capable research institution for the specific R&D requirements, rather than prioritizing small business participation. There is no explicit indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data, though it is possible they could be involved indirectly.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under IARPA and the Department of the Army, given the agency and awarding service. Mechanisms likely include regular progress reports, technical reviews, and financial audits to ensure research objectives are met and funds are used appropriately. Transparency is typically managed through reporting requirements and potential public releases of non-sensitive research findings. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

IARPA Research Projects
Department of Defense Research and Development
University Research Grants
Advanced Technology Development

Risk Flags

Research Uncertainty
Cost Management (Allowable Costs)
Long Contract Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $7.3 million to UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO. IARPA RESEARCH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-22. End: 2026-02-28.

What is the specific research area or project focus of this IARPA contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541715, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)'. However, the specific research topic or project objective is not detailed. IARPA typically funds projects that are forward-looking and aim to solve complex problems for the intelligence community. To understand the specific focus, one would need to consult IARPA's project announcements, public statements, or the contract's statement of work, which are often classified or have limited public disclosure due to the sensitive nature of intelligence research.

How does the $7.3 million contract value compare to other IARPA R&D awards?

The $7.3 million contract value is within a typical range for advanced research projects funded by agencies like IARPA. IARPA awards can vary significantly, from smaller seed grants to multi-year, multi-million dollar programs. For instance, other IARPA contracts have ranged from a few million dollars for specific technology development to tens of millions for broader research initiatives. Without a direct comparison to contracts with identical scope and duration, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents exceptional or poor value. However, it aligns with the scale of investment often seen in high-risk, high-reward research endeavors.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones for this contract?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and milestones for this contract are not publicly available in the provided data. Typically, R&D contracts of this nature involve a series of technical milestones, research progress reports, and final deliverables. For a 'COST NO FEE' contract, the focus is often on achieving defined research objectives and demonstrating scientific progress. Oversight bodies within IARPA and the Department of the Army would monitor adherence to the research plan and the achievement of these milestones through regular reviews and reporting.

What is the track record of the University of Chicago in performing similar government R&D contracts?

The University of Chicago has a strong track record of performing research and development for various government agencies, including defense and intelligence. As a major research university, it consistently secures funding through competitive grants and contracts. While specific details of past performance on contracts identical to this one are not provided, its status as a leading academic institution suggests a high capability for managing complex research projects and delivering scientific advancements. Past performance evaluations would be a critical factor in the source selection process for this award.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks include the inherent uncertainty of R&D outcomes, the possibility of cost overruns (even in 'COST NO FEE' contracts, allowable costs must be managed), and the long duration potentially leading to shifts in research priorities or technological landscapes. Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous project management, regular technical reviews by IARPA, clear definition of research objectives, and robust financial oversight to ensure adherence to the approved budget for allowable costs. The selection of a reputable institution like the University of Chicago also mitigates performance risk.

How does this contract contribute to the broader goals of the Department of Defense or the Intelligence Community?

This contract, funded through the Department of the Army but managed by IARPA, contributes to the broader goals of the DoD and the Intelligence Community by investing in foundational research that could lead to disruptive technologies. IARPA's mission is to anticipate and address future threats and opportunities by sponsoring research that pushes the boundaries of science and technology. The outcomes of this R&D could enhance national security, improve intelligence gathering capabilities, or provide novel solutions to complex challenges faced by the defense and intelligence sectors.

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 › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Solicitation ID: W911NF22S0001

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5801 S ELLIS AVE, CHICAGO, IL, 60637

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: $9,234,115

Exercised Options: $9,234,115

Current Obligation: $7,329,423

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline