Army Awards $13.1M for Engineering Support to IOVSA Program to New Mexico State University
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,136,276 ($13.1M)
Contractor: NEW Mexico State University
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-09-18
End Date: 2026-03-31
Contract Duration: 925 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ENGINEERING AND RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ARMY'S INFORMATION OPERATIONS VULNERABILITY/SURVIVABILITY ASSESSMENT (IOVSA) PROGRAM
Place of Performance
Location: LAS CRUCES, DONA ANA County, NEW MEXICO, 88003
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $13.1 million to NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY for work described as: ENGINEERING AND RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ARMY'S INFORMATION OPERATIONS VULNERABILITY/SURVIVABILITY ASSESSMENT (IOVSA) PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract focuses on critical R&D for Army's information operations. 2. New Mexico State University is the sole awardee, raising competition concerns. 3. The duration of 925 days suggests a significant, ongoing need for these services. 4. The NAICS code 541715 indicates a specialized R&D focus.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award amount of $13.1M for R&D support services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the IOVSA program. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific service details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if the contract had been competitively bid.
Public Impact
Enhances Army's ability to assess and improve information operations security. Supports critical research and development in a specialized engineering field. Potential for technological advancements in cybersecurity and operational resilience.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical Army R&D program.
- Long-term engagement indicates program importance.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on engineering and physical sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement and national security, but often involves high costs and specialized expertise.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses, and the awardee is a large university. This suggests limited direct opportunities for small businesses on this particular contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure the effective utilization of funds and the successful completion of research objectives, especially given the sole-source nature of the award.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award.
- Lack of competition.
- No small business participation.
- Potential for cost overruns due to non-competitive nature.
- Limited transparency on justification for sole-source.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, nm, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $13.1 million to NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY. ENGINEERING AND RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ARMY'S INFORMATION OPERATIONS VULNERABILITY/SURVIVABILITY ASSESSMENT (IOVSA) PROGRAM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NEW MEXICO 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 $13.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-18. End: 2026-03-31.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, critical urgency, or a lack of other responsible sources. Without further details, it's difficult to assess the validity of the justification. Steps to ensure fair pricing in sole-source situations often include detailed cost analysis, negotiation, and comparison to historical data or industry benchmarks, though these are less effective than competitive bidding.
What are the specific deliverables and expected outcomes of this R&D support, and how will their success be measured?
The specific deliverables and expected outcomes are tied to the Army's Information Operations Vulnerability/Survivability Assessment (IOVSA) program. Success measurement would likely involve technical reports, vulnerability assessments, proposed mitigation strategies, and potentially prototype development or testing. Clear performance metrics and milestones within the contract are essential for tracking progress and ensuring the R&D yields tangible improvements in the Army's information operations.
How does this contract contribute to the broader goals of the Army's information operations strategy, and what is the long-term plan for this research?
This contract directly supports the Army's need to understand and defend against threats to its information operations. It likely contributes to developing more resilient systems and strategies. The long-term plan for this research would involve integrating the findings into operational doctrine, future system designs, and ongoing training. Continued investment and adaptation based on evolving threats are expected.
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 › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: STEWART AND ESPINA ST, LAS CRUCES, NM, 88003
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Higher Education (Minority Serving), Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $31,023,431
Exercised Options: $31,023,431
Current Obligation: $13,136,276
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W911QX20D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-18
Current End Date: 2026-03-31
Potential End Date: 2026-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-06
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