DoD's Defense Threat Reduction Agency Awards $26.8M for SE&I Support to Applied Research Associates

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,782,299 ($26.8M)

Contractor: Applied Research Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2014-05-01

End Date: 2019-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF BASE PERIOD - SE&I SUPPORT - PSC: R425

Place of Performance

Location: ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87110

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $26.8 million to APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF BASE PERIOD - SE&I SUPPORT - PSC: R425 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Applied Research Associates, Inc. for SE&I Support. 2. The contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences NAICS code. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is 5 years, ending April 30, 2019. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more granular cost data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is positive for taxpayer value, as it encourages multiple bids and potentially lower prices.

Public Impact

Supports the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's mission, contributing to national security. The contract involves research and development, potentially leading to advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The 5-year duration suggests a long-term need for these SE&I support services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize contractor to increase costs.
  • Limited visibility into specific performance metrics and outcomes.
  • Potential for scope creep in R&D contracts.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded under full and open competition.
  • Supports a critical national security agency.
  • Contractor has a history of performing similar services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS 541712. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but can be subject to cost overruns due to the inherent uncertainties in R&D.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the contractor is not listed as a small business. Therefore, there is no direct small business participation evident in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would focus on ensuring the contractor meets performance milestones within the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure and that costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract objectives.

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

  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
  • Lack of detailed performance metrics.
  • Potential for cost overruns in R&D.
  • Limited information on specific deliverables.

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 $26.8 million to APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC.. IGF::CT::IGF BASE PERIOD - SE&I SUPPORT - PSC: R425

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 $26.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-05-01. End: 2019-04-30.

What specific SE&I support services are being provided, and how do they align with DTRA's strategic objectives?

The specific SE&I (Systems Engineering & Integration) support services are not detailed in the provided data. However, given the contractor's specialization and the agency's mission, these services likely involve technical expertise, program management, and integration support for complex defense systems aimed at reducing weapons of mass destruction threats. Alignment with strategic objectives would require a review of DTRA's current priorities and how these services contribute to achieving them.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is performance being measured?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are not explicitly provided in the contract data. For a Cost Plus Fixed Fee R&D contract, KPIs would typically focus on meeting technical milestones, adhering to research objectives, timely delivery of reports or prototypes, and effective integration of systems. Performance measurement would likely involve regular reviews by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and technical teams to assess progress against the defined SOW and milestones.

How does the $26.8 million cost compare to similar R&D support contracts awarded by DoD agencies?

Benchmarking this $26.8 million contract against similar R&D support contracts requires access to a broader dataset of DoD procurements. Factors like contract duration, scope of work, specific technical requirements, and contractor experience significantly influence pricing. Without comparative data on contracts with similar complexity and objectives, a precise value assessment is challenging, though the 5-year duration suggests a substantial, long-term requirement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch 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

Solicitation ID: HDTRA112R0016

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

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: $33,486,657

Exercised Options: $27,958,209

Current Obligation: $26,782,299

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $7,793,225

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HDTRA114D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2014-05-01

Current End Date: 2019-04-30

Potential End Date: 2020-04-07 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-07-14

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