DoD's $164M R&D Contract with COLSA Corp: A Deep Dive into Value and Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $164,401,773 ($164.4M)
Contractor: Colsa Corp
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2016-08-24
End Date: 2022-02-24
Contract Duration: 2,010 days
Daily Burn Rate: $81.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35898
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $164.4 million to COLSA CORP for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $164M awarded to COLSA Corp for R&D services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration spans from 2016 to 2022, indicating a long-term engagement. 4. The contract falls under NAICS code 541712, focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D. 5. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the Department of the Army.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts would provide further insight into whether the $164M represents a competitive price for the scope of work.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery, as it allows multiple vendors to bid. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to yield fair pricing, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds allocated to this R&D effort.
Public Impact
Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process for critical R&D services. The Department of the Army receives specialized research and development support. COLSA Corp contributes to advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Long-term contract ensures continuity of research and development projects.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess R&D effectiveness.
- Potential for cost overruns if scope creep occurs within the fixed-price contract.
- Limited visibility into the specific R&D projects funded by this contract.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, promoting fairness and value.
- Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
- Long contract duration allows for sustained R&D efforts.
- Contract supports critical research and development for the Department of the Army.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement and national security, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific research domain and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as 'ss' is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were provided to small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's long duration and significant value warrant robust oversight to ensure adherence to scope, quality, and budget. Regular performance reviews and audits are essential for accountability.
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
- Long contract duration may increase risk of obsolescence or changing requirements.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes effectiveness assessment challenging.
- Potential for contractor to underperform on fixed-price if not closely monitored.
- No indication of small business participation, missing potential economic impact.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, al, bpa-call, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $164.4 million to COLSA CORP. IGF::CT::IGF
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COLSA CORP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $164.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2016-08-24. End: 2022-02-24.
What specific research and development outcomes were achieved under this $164M contract, and how do they align with the Department of the Army's strategic objectives?
Assessing the specific R&D outcomes is crucial for determining the true value of this contract. Without detailed project reports and alignment with strategic goals, it's difficult to ascertain if the $164M investment yielded significant advancements or met the Army's evolving needs. Further analysis of project deliverables and their impact on military capabilities is recommended.
Given the firm fixed-price structure, what mechanisms were in place to manage potential scope creep and ensure the contractor remained within the $164M budget for the entire contract duration?
While a firm fixed-price contract aims for cost certainty, effective management of scope creep is vital. The Department of the Army likely employed change control processes and regular progress reviews to monitor the project's evolution. However, the potential for unforeseen technical challenges or evolving requirements necessitates vigilant oversight to prevent budget overruns and ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
How does the performance of COLSA Corp on this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar R&D services, particularly in terms of innovation, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness?
Benchmarking COLSA Corp's performance against industry standards is key to evaluating effectiveness. Factors like the successful completion of research milestones, adherence to timelines, and the generation of innovative solutions would be compared. A comprehensive review of performance metrics, client feedback, and comparison with other R&D providers would offer a clearer picture of the contractor's value and the overall success of this significant investment.
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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6728 ODYSSEY DR, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $200,557,766
Exercised Options: $164,401,773
Current Obligation: $164,401,773
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 12
Total Subaward Amount: $66,332,044
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W31P4Q16A0003
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2016-08-24
Current End Date: 2022-02-24
Potential End Date: 2022-08-23 12:08:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-26
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