DoD's DTRA Spends $39.4M on Technical Reachback Services via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $39,384,994 ($39.4M)
Contractor: Applied Research Associates, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-09-22
End Date: 2015-09-14
Contract Duration: 2,183 days
Daily Burn Rate: $18.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DTRA TECHNICAL REACHBACK SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: FORT BELVOIR, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22060
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $39.4 million to APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: DTRA TECHNICAL REACHBACK SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant investment in R&D services for defense threat reduction. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Long contract duration (2183 days) may indicate complex or ongoing needs. 4. No small business participation noted, potentially limiting broader economic impact.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award of $39.4M over approximately 6 years for technical reachback services appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific service details, but the duration and scope suggest a significant price point.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing and allows all responsible sources to submit offers. This method aims to achieve fair and reasonable prices through market forces.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for critical defense research and development. The use of full and open competition aims to ensure these funds are spent efficiently and effectively.
Public Impact
Supports national security by providing technical expertise for threat reduction. Investment in advanced research and development capabilities for the Department of Defense. Potential for technological advancements stemming from the contracted R&D services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of small business participation.
- Long contract duration could mask inefficiencies if not managed closely.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports critical defense agency mission.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and addressing evolving threats, with significant government investment typically seen.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates no small business participation. This suggests that the prime contractor is likely a large business, and opportunities for small businesses to subcontract or participate in this specific award were not realized or pursued.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the Department of Defense and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Accountability for performance and cost would be tied to the contract terms and delivery orders issued under this IDIQ-like structure.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to long contract duration.
- Limited transparency on specific deliverables and performance metrics.
- Absence of small business participation.
- Cost competitiveness over the full contract term needs ongoing monitoring.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $39.4 million to APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC.. DTRA TECHNICAL REACHBACK SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Threat Reduction Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $39.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-09-22. End: 2015-09-14.
What specific technical reachback capabilities were procured, and how do they directly contribute to the DTRA's mission effectiveness?
The specific technical reachback capabilities procured are not detailed in the provided data. However, for DTRA, these services likely involve providing specialized scientific and technical expertise on demand to support analysis, assessment, and response to emerging threats. This could include areas like WMD analysis, counter-terrorism intelligence, or advanced technology assessments, directly enhancing the agency's ability to respond to complex national security challenges.
Given the $39.4M total award and long duration, what mechanisms were in place to ensure cost control and prevent potential cost overruns?
The contract utilized a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type, which shifts cost risk to the contractor and provides a ceiling for costs. While FFP helps control overall spending, the long duration necessitates robust oversight through regular performance reviews, milestone tracking, and potentially value engineering initiatives to ensure the government receives the best value throughout the contract lifecycle.
How does the $39.4M expenditure compare to other similar R&D service contracts awarded by DoD agencies for comparable technical reachback support?
Without specific details on the scope and nature of the 'technical reachback services,' a direct comparison is challenging. However, $39.4M over six years for specialized R&D support to a defense agency is within the expected range for complex, high-demand technical services. Benchmarking would require analyzing contracts with similar NAICS codes (541712) and service descriptions, considering factors like contract duration, specific technical expertise, and urgency.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: DABR0903T0009
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4300 SAN MATEO BLVD NE STE A220, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87110
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $40,806,973
Exercised Options: $39,862,222
Current Obligation: $39,384,994
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HDTRA109D0009
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-09-22
Current End Date: 2015-09-14
Potential End Date: 2015-12-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-05-13
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