DoD's $98.8M R&D contract to Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation awarded under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $98,833,914 ($98.8M)

Contractor: Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-06-06

End Date: 2023-06-05

Contract Duration: 2,555 days

Daily Burn Rate: $38.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF NEW TASK ORDER AWARD

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35898

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $98.8 million to INTUITIVE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF NEW TASK ORDER AWARD Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 3. Long duration of 2555 days indicates a significant, ongoing project. 4. Awarded by the Department of the Army, a major component of the DoD. 5. Contractor, Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation, has secured this significant award. 6. The contract falls under NAICS code 541712, focusing on scientific research and development.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of this $98.8 million contract requires detailed analysis of the specific R&D services rendered. Given the firm fixed-price structure, the government has a degree of cost certainty. However, the true value for money depends on the successful outcomes of the research and development activities, which are inherently uncertain. Comparing this to similar R&D contracts within the Department of Defense for specialized research would provide a more robust assessment of its pricing and overall value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature of the award process suggests that multiple companies vied for this opportunity. This level of competition is generally expected to drive more favorable pricing and innovative solutions for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and higher quality services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and potentially the broader national security apparatus, through advancements in R&D. The services delivered are specialized research and development activities within physical, engineering, and life sciences. The geographic impact is primarily within Alabama, where the contractor is located, but the R&D outcomes could have national implications. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, and support staff at Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Uncertainty of R&D outcomes can lead to value realization challenges.
Long contract duration may require ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Award to a specialized R&D firm indicates focus on specific technological advancements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for defense modernization and technological superiority. The market for specialized R&D services within the defense industry is highly competitive, with numerous firms vying for government contracts. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other DoD contracts for similar scientific research and development efforts, considering the specific technologies or scientific domains involved.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary focus is on the prime contractor. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation actively seeks to subcontract portions of this work to smaller, specialized firms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified R&D outcomes. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Army Futures Command Initiatives
Advanced Technology Development Contracts
Scientific Research Services

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or changing requirements.
R&D outcomes are inherently uncertain, posing a risk to value realization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $98.8 million to INTUITIVE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. IGF::CT::IGF NEW TASK ORDER AWARD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTUITIVE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $98.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-06-06. End: 2023-06-05.

What is the specific nature of the research and development being conducted under this contract?

The contract falls under NAICS code 541712, which covers Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology). While the specific project details are not publicly available in this data snippet, it implies work in areas such as materials science, advanced manufacturing, engineering analysis, or other scientific endeavors critical to defense capabilities. The Department of the Army likely has specific R&D objectives related to national security that this contract aims to address through scientific inquiry and technological innovation.

How does the $98.8 million value compare to other R&D contracts of similar scope within the DoD?

A direct comparison of the $98.8 million value to other R&D contracts requires access to a broader dataset of DoD procurements, including contract scope, duration, and specific R&D focus areas. However, for a multi-year, firm-fixed-price R&D effort awarded under full and open competition, this figure represents a substantial investment. It suggests a project of significant complexity and potential impact. Benchmarking would involve identifying contracts with similar NAICS codes, agency, and project lengths to assess if the pricing is within an expected range for the specialized services provided.

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

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and milestones are not detailed in the provided data. However, for a Research and Development contract, typical KPIs would revolve around the successful completion of research phases, achievement of technical objectives, development of prototypes or proof-of-concepts, and adherence to project timelines. The firm fixed-price nature implies that the contractor is incentivized to meet these defined objectives within the agreed-upon budget. The contracting officer and program managers would establish and monitor these metrics throughout the contract's duration.

What is Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation's track record with government R&D contracts?

Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation (IRTC) has a history of securing and performing on government contracts, particularly within the defense sector. While this specific $98.8 million award is significant, IRTC has experience in providing engineering, technical, and research services to various government agencies. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal the types of R&D projects they have undertaken, their performance ratings on past contracts, and their success rate in competitive bidding processes. This information is crucial for assessing their capability and reliability for this current large-scale R&D effort.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-duration R&D contract like this?

Long-duration R&D contracts carry inherent risks, including technological obsolescence where the research may become outdated before completion, shifts in strategic priorities that could render the research irrelevant, and potential cost overruns if not managed tightly, despite the fixed-price nature. There's also the risk of contractor performance degradation over time or key personnel departures. For the government, ensuring continued oversight and adapting to evolving requirements without incurring significant change order costs are critical risk mitigation strategies.

How does this contract align with the Department of the Army's broader R&D strategy?

This contract, focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D, likely aligns with the Department of the Army's strategic goals for modernization, technological advancement, and maintaining a combat-ready force. The specific R&D area would dictate its precise alignment, whether it supports advancements in areas like materials, propulsion, sensors, cyber capabilities, or soldier systems. The Army's R&D strategy typically emphasizes developing cutting-edge technologies to address current and future threats, and contracts like this are the mechanism for achieving those objectives.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5030 BRADFORD DR BLDG 2 STE 205, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35805

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $105,297,594

Exercised Options: $98,833,914

Current Obligation: $98,833,914

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 26

Total Subaward Amount: $25,908,030

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W31P4Q09A0016

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline