DoD's $29.6M R&D contract with ENVISTACOM, L.L.C. awarded under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,617,045 ($29.6M)

Contractor: Envistacom, L.L.C

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-09-30

End Date: 2019-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30328

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $29.6 million to ENVISTACOM, L.L.C for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. ENVISTACOM, L.L.C. secured this contract through a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration was 1095 days, indicating a medium-term project. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. This award falls under the broad category of R&D services for the Department of the Army. 6. The contract was awarded as a Delivery Order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific R&D contract is challenging without more granular data on the deliverables and market rates for similar specialized research. The fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to control costs, but the ultimate value depends on the successful outcome of the research. Comparing it to other R&D contracts of similar scope and duration would be necessary for a more precise assessment of value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 2 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific award. While more than one bidder participated, the exact number of potential bidders and the intensity of the competition are not fully detailed, which can influence price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple companies to offer their best pricing and technical solutions, potentially leading to a more cost-effective outcome for the government.

Public Impact

The Department of the Army is the primary beneficiary, receiving advanced research and development services. The contract supports advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences, potentially leading to new technologies or improved existing ones. The geographic impact is primarily associated with the contractor's location and the Army's operational needs, though the R&D outcomes could have broader applications. Workforce implications include employment for researchers, engineers, and support staff involved in the R&D activities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the R&D.
The specific nature of R&D can lead to uncertain outcomes and potential cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Limited competition (2 bids) might indicate a niche market or specialized requirements, potentially impacting price competitiveness.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a broad range of potential contractors could participate.
Firm Fixed Price contract type helps to establish cost certainty for the government.
The contract supports critical research and development for the Department of Defense.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This sector is characterized by innovation, long development cycles, and often high upfront investment. The total federal spending on R&D is substantial, with defense-related R&D forming a significant portion. Contracts like this are crucial for maintaining technological superiority and addressing future challenges.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the nature of specialized R&D, it's possible that larger, more established firms with specific expertise are typically awarded such contracts. Further investigation into subcontracting opportunities would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of the Army. Performance monitoring would focus on meeting research milestones and deliverables as defined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, but specific project details and progress reports may be sensitive or proprietary.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Army Science and Technology Investments
Federal R&D Contracts
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research

Risk Flags

Potential for research outcomes to not meet expectations due to inherent R&D uncertainty.
Limited competition (2 bids) may suggest a niche market, potentially impacting long-term cost-effectiveness.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in summary data hinders assessment of value and effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $29.6 million to ENVISTACOM, L.L.C. IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENVISTACOM, L.L.C.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-30. End: 2019-09-30.

What specific research areas were covered under this contract?

The contract NAICS code 541712 indicates 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology).' While this provides a broad classification, the specific research topics, methodologies, and intended applications are not detailed in the provided data. Such information would typically be found in the contract's statement of work (SOW) or performance work statement (PWS), which outlines the precise research objectives, deliverables, and technical requirements. Understanding these specifics is crucial for evaluating the contract's alignment with DoD's strategic research priorities and assessing the technical merit of the work performed by ENVISTACOM, L.L.C.

How does the $29.6 million contract value compare to similar R&D efforts within the DoD?

Comparing the $29.6 million value requires context regarding the scope, duration, and specific R&D domain. For a 3-year (1095 days) contract in specialized physical, engineering, or life sciences R&D, this amount is within a typical range for significant research projects. However, without knowing the specific technological area (e.g., advanced materials, propulsion systems, sensor technology) and the complexity of the research, a direct comparison is difficult. Larger, multi-year programs or those involving extensive prototyping or testing could easily exceed this figure, while smaller, more focused studies might be valued lower. Benchmarking would necessitate identifying contracts with similar NAICS codes, durations, and agency components.

What is ENVISTACOM, L.L.C.'s track record with government contracts, particularly in R&D?

Information on ENVISTACOM, L.L.C.'s specific track record is not provided in the data snippet. A comprehensive assessment would involve reviewing their contract history, including past performance evaluations, any awards or penalties, and the types of services they have previously provided to government agencies. Databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or SAM.gov would be essential resources to determine their experience, success rates, and any potential red flags or commendations related to their performance on similar R&D contracts. Their history in the physical, engineering, and life sciences domain would be particularly relevant.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones for this contract?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or milestones for this contract. Typically, R&D contracts outline detailed milestones tied to research progress, experimental results, prototype development, and final reports. These are crucial for tracking the contractor's performance and ensuring the government receives value. The absence of this information in the summary suggests that further details would be found within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). Effective oversight relies on clearly defined and measurable KPIs to assess the success and timeliness of the research activities.

Were there any identified risks associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?

The provided data does not explicitly list risks associated with this contract. However, R&D contracts inherently carry risks related to technological uncertainty, feasibility, cost overruns, and schedule delays. Given the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) nature of this contract, the primary risk shifted to the contractor (ENVISTACOM, L.L.C.) regarding cost management. Potential government risks could include the research not yielding the desired outcomes or the technology not being successfully transitioned. Mitigation strategies would typically involve rigorous technical reviews, clear milestone definitions, and potentially contingency planning within the contract structure, though these are not detailed here.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: W911NF15R0004

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6 CONCOURSE PKWY NE, ATLANTA, GA, 30328

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,617,045

Exercised Options: $29,617,045

Current Obligation: $29,617,045

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W911NF15D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline