DoD's $197M IDA Contract for Research Services: A Deep Dive into Value and Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $197,372,354 ($197.4M)
Contractor: Institute for Defense Analyses
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2015-07-08
End Date: 2022-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,641 days
Daily Burn Rate: $74.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF RESEARCH PROJECTS ADDED TO THE IDA CONTRACT
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22305
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $197.4 million to INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF RESEARCH PROJECTS ADDED TO THE IDA CONTRACT Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $197.37M awarded to a single entity. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competitive pricing and market fairness. 3. Contract duration of over 6 years suggests long-term reliance on this provider. 4. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category is broad, potentially masking specific service costs.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, combined with a sole-source award, makes a direct pricing assessment difficult. Benchmarking against similar, competitively procured contracts for specialized research services would be necessary to determine true value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning there was no open competition. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a nearly $200 million contract raises concerns about potential overspending and inefficient use of taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. Limited transparency into the specific research projects funded under this large contract. Potential for reduced innovation if alternative research institutions are not considered.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Broad service category
Positive Signals
- Established provider for DoD research
- Long contract duration indicates consistent need
Sector Analysis
The Department of Defense frequently procures professional, scientific, and technical services. Benchmarks for similar large-scale, sole-source research contracts are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of such awards.
Small Business Impact
The contract data does not indicate any specific provisions or awards made to small businesses. The sole-source nature of this award likely precluded small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES' is a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), which typically operates under specific oversight frameworks. However, the sole-source nature of this delivery order warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and performance.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated costs
- Limited transparency on project specifics
- Broad service category obscuring detailed costs
- Long contract duration without clear re-competition
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $197.4 million to INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES. IGF::CL::IGF RESEARCH PROJECTS ADDED TO THE IDA CONTRACT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $197.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-07-08. End: 2022-09-30.
What specific research projects were undertaken, and how did their outcomes justify the significant investment without competition?
The contract's broad description 'IGF RESEARCH PROJECTS ADDED TO THE IDA CONTRACT' lacks specificity. Without detailed project information, it's impossible to assess the value derived from the $197.37M expenditure. A review of project reports and deliverables would be necessary to determine if the research outcomes aligned with the cost and met the Department of Defense's strategic objectives.
What is the rationale for the sole-source award, and were alternative competitive approaches considered?
The justification for a sole-source award, especially for a contract of this magnitude, needs rigorous documentation. Agencies must demonstrate why only one source can fulfill the requirement. Without this justification, it suggests a potential failure to explore competitive avenues, which could lead to suboptimal pricing and reduced innovation.
How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure compare to industry standards for similar research services, and what mechanisms are in place to control costs?
Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can incentivize contractors to incur costs, as a portion of their profit is tied to the total cost. For a nearly $200 million contract, robust oversight is crucial to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. Benchmarking against similar FFRDC contracts and scrutinizing cost reports are essential to verify value for money.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: HQ003413R0092
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4850 MARK CENTER DR, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22311
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: $197,384,468
Exercised Options: $197,384,468
Current Obligation: $197,372,354
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HQ003414D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-07-08
Current End Date: 2022-09-30
Potential End Date: 2022-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-18
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