DoD awards $47M R&D contract to SRI International for physical, engineering, and life sciences research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $47,039,091 ($47.0M)
Contractor: SRI International
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2011-03-25
End Date: 2013-02-28
Contract Duration: 706 days
Daily Burn Rate: $66.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: U437A00 - BAA# 11-4815
Place of Performance
Location: HANOVER, GRAFTON County, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03755
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $47.0 million to SRI INTERNATIONAL for work described as: U437A00 - BAA# 11-4815 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. SRI International, a significant research organization, is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 4. The contract duration is 706 days, ending in February 2013.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The award amount of $47M for a 706-day R&D project needs further benchmarking against similar contracts to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced research and development, with the expectation of technological advancements or solutions.
Public Impact
Supports advanced scientific research with potential for technological breakthroughs. Funding allocated to a single contractor, SRI International, for specialized R&D. Contract duration suggests a focused, multi-year research effort.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize contractor to increase costs.
- Lack of specific performance metrics or deliverables in provided data.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D contracts if not tightly managed.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Contractor is a reputable research institution.
- Focus on critical R&D areas.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but can be challenging to benchmark due to the unique nature of R&D projects.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the scope or nature of the research required specialized capabilities typically found in larger, established research organizations.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically involve monitoring research progress, adherence to the fixed fee, and ensuring the efficient use of funds. The Department of the Army is responsible for this oversight.
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
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- No indication of small business participation.
- R&D contracts can have uncertain outcomes.
- Contract duration is significant (706 days).
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, nh, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $47.0 million to SRI INTERNATIONAL. U437A00 - BAA# 11-4815
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SRI INTERNATIONAL.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $47.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-03-25. End: 2013-02-28.
What specific research objectives were outlined in the BAA, and how do they align with DoD priorities?
The Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) likely detailed specific research objectives within physical, engineering, and life sciences. These objectives would be evaluated against their potential to advance DoD capabilities, address emerging threats, or foster technological innovation. Without the BAA text, a precise alignment cannot be confirmed, but the award suggests SRI's proposal met the stated research goals and strategic needs of the Department of the Army.
How was the fixed fee determined, and what mechanisms were in place to control costs within the CPFF structure?
The fixed fee in a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is negotiated based on the estimated cost of the work and the contractor's anticipated profit. Mechanisms to control costs include detailed cost accounting standards, regular audits, and the contracting officer's oversight to ensure only allowable costs are reimbursed. The 'fixed' portion incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently to maximize their profit within the agreed-upon fee.
What are the expected outcomes or deliverables from this R&D contract, and how will their success be measured?
Expected outcomes from this R&D contract would typically include research findings, prototypes, technical reports, or new methodologies. Success measurement would likely involve technical reviews, peer evaluations of research quality, demonstration of prototypes, and the potential applicability of the research to future DoD programs. The specific metrics would be detailed in the contract's statement of work or performance work statement.
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 › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 333 RAVENSWOOD AVE, MENLO PARK, CA, 90
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: $48,219,295
Exercised Options: $47,039,091
Current Obligation: $47,039,091
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $156,000
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-03-25
Current End Date: 2013-02-28
Potential End Date: 2013-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-08-07
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