DoD's $36.6M R&D Contract with Applied Research Associates, Inc. for Physical Sciences Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $36,654,200 ($36.7M)
Contractor: Applied Research Associates, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2014-05-01
End Date: 2018-04-27
Contract Duration: 1,457 days
Daily Burn Rate: $25.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: BASE - RESEARCH&DEVELOPMENT
Place of Performance
Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20191
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $36.7 million to APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: BASE - RESEARCH&DEVELOPMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Applied Research Associates, Inc. for $36.6M. 2. Focuses on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences (excluding biotech). 3. Full and open competition was utilized. 4. Contract duration spans from May 2014 to April 2018. 5. The award type is a Delivery Order.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's value of $36.6M for a 4-year R&D effort appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar complex R&D contracts is difficult without more specific project details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of full and open competition suggests a robust price discovery process. This method allows multiple qualified vendors to bid, potentially leading to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.
Public Impact
Supports advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Potential for technological breakthroughs with national security implications. Funds research conducted by a private sector entity. Contract awarded by the Department of Defense's DTRA.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Potential for cost overruns in fixed-fee contracts.
- Limited insight into the specific research outcomes.
Positive Signals
- Utilized full and open competition.
- Contract awarded to a specialized R&D firm.
- Clear contract duration and award type.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541712. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation and maintaining technological superiority, particularly for defense applications.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific subcontracting goals or participation by small businesses in this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the Department of Defense's Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). The effectiveness of oversight depends on the agency's internal processes for monitoring research progress and expenditures.
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
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Potential for R&D project scope creep.
- Limited transparency on specific research outcomes.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can have inherent cost risks.
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 $36.7 million to APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC.. BASE - RESEARCH&DEVELOPMENT
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 $36.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-05-01. End: 2018-04-27.
What were the key performance indicators and deliverables for this R&D contract, and how were they measured to ensure value for money?
The provided data lacks specific performance indicators and deliverables. To assess value, one would need to examine the contract's statement of work, milestones achieved, and final research outcomes. Without this, it's difficult to definitively gauge the return on the $36.6M investment beyond the general category of R&D.
What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for advanced R&D, and how were they mitigated?
CPFF contracts carry risks of cost overruns if the scope is not well-defined or if unforeseen technical challenges arise. Mitigation strategies would involve rigorous initial scope definition, regular progress reviews, and strong government oversight to manage changes and ensure efficient resource utilization. The fixed fee provides an incentive for the contractor to control costs.
How does the research conducted under this contract align with current and future Department of Defense priorities, and what is its expected impact?
The alignment and impact depend on the specific research outcomes, which are not detailed here. However, R&D in physical sciences for defense often aims to develop new materials, technologies, or countermeasures. Its effectiveness is measured by its contribution to maintaining a technological edge and addressing evolving threats.
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 › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: HDTRA112R0016
Offers Received: 3
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: $49,760,545
Exercised Options: $40,617,470
Current Obligation: $36,654,200
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 9
Total Subaward Amount: $5,881,751
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM 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: 2018-04-27
Potential End Date: 2018-04-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-14
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