DoD's Missile Defense Agency spent $64M on R&D services via Time & Materials contract with COLSA Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $64,022,137 ($64.0M)
Contractor: Colsa Corp
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-12-05
End Date: 2016-11-02
Contract Duration: 3,255 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: R&D
Official Description: OTHER DIRECT COST (ODC)
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $64.0 million to COLSA CORP for work described as: OTHER DIRECT COST (ODC) Key points: 1. Significant expenditure on R&D services, primarily for missile defense. 2. COLSA Corp, a single contractor, received the full award amount. 3. Contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks. 4. The contract spanned nearly 9 years, indicating a long-term need.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $64M award over 9 years suggests a substantial investment. Without specific deliverables or benchmarks, assessing value is difficult. The Time and Materials pricing structure inherently carries risk for cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES', indicating a limited competition approach. This method may not have yielded the most competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were utilized for this significant R&D expenditure. The limited competition and T&M pricing structure raise concerns about optimal use of funds.
Public Impact
Missile defense technology development impacts national security. Long-term contracts can signify sustained government needs. R&D spending is crucial for technological advancement.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing
- Limited competition
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Awarded for R&D services
- Supports critical defense mission
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Government R&D spending is vital for innovation, but contract structures heavily influence cost-effectiveness.
Small Business Impact
No indication of small business participation is provided in the data. The contract was awarded to COLSA Corp, and further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Missile Defense Agency, a component of the Department of Defense, which has established oversight mechanisms. However, the specific oversight applied to this contract is not detailed.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Missile Defense Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
- Limited competition may have led to suboptimal pricing.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to changing requirements and costs.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, al, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $64.0 million to COLSA CORP. OTHER DIRECT COST (ODC)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COLSA CORP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Missile Defense Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $64.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-12-05. End: 2016-11-02.
What specific R&D milestones or deliverables were achieved under this contract, and how do they align with the $64M expenditure?
The provided data lacks details on specific deliverables or milestones. Assessing the value for money requires examining the technical progress reports, final reports, and any tangible outcomes achieved against the contract's objectives. Without this, it's difficult to definitively state if the $64M was well-spent.
What was the rationale for excluding other sources after initial competition, and did this exclusion impact the final price paid?
The rationale for excluding other sources after initial competition is not specified. This 'limited competition' approach, especially under a Time and Materials contract, raises concerns that the government may not have secured the most competitive pricing available in the market.
How effective was COLSA Corp in delivering the intended R&D outcomes, and were there any performance issues noted during the contract's nearly 9-year duration?
Effectiveness data is not included in the provided summary. Evaluating effectiveness would require reviewing performance reviews, contract modifications, and any documented issues or successes related to COLSA Corp's R&D contributions to the Missile Defense Agency.
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 › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: HQ014707R0001
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6726 ODYSSEY DR, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $64,022,137
Exercised Options: $64,022,137
Current Obligation: $64,022,137
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HQ014707D0002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-12-05
Current End Date: 2016-11-02
Potential End Date: 2016-11-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-08-10
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