Agriculture Department awards $451K R&D contract for barley disease defense research to Creative Biomart Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,099 ($45.1K)

Contractor: Creative Biomart Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-08-08

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 265 days

Daily Burn Rate: $170/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: BARLEY TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS THAT ACTIVATE DISEASE DEFENSE TO DESTRUCTIVE PATHOGENS

Place of Performance

Location: AMES, STORY County, IOWA, 50011

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $45,099 to CREATIVE BIOMART INC for work described as: BARLEY TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS THAT ACTIVATE DISEASE DEFENSE TO DESTRUCTIVE PATHOGENS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical agricultural research to combat destructive pathogens. 2. Sole bidder identified, raising questions about competition and potential price impact. 3. Research and Development in Biotechnology sector, a key area for agricultural innovation. 4. Contract duration of 265 days suggests a focused, short-term research objective. 5. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for this specific research project. 6. Small business status of contractor not explicitly detailed, impacting set-aside analysis.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $450,990 for R&D in biotechnology appears reasonable for a specialized research project. However, without specific benchmarks for similar barley disease defense research, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty, but the lack of competition could mean the government did not secure the lowest possible price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating an expectation of limited competition. With only two bids received, the level of competition was low. This suggests that potential bidders may have been deterred by the specialized nature of the research or the contract's value, potentially leading to less aggressive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition means taxpayers may not have benefited from the most competitive pricing achievable through a broader bidding process.

Public Impact

Farmers and the agricultural industry will benefit from advancements in disease defense for barley crops. The research aims to protect a significant food and feed crop from destructive pathogens. Geographic impact is broad, potentially affecting barley-producing regions nationwide. Workforce implications include support for specialized biotechnology researchers and scientists.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may have resulted in a higher price than if more vendors had bid.
Lack of detailed information on contractor's prior federal R&D performance requires further scrutiny.
The specific deliverables and success metrics for this research project are not detailed, posing a risk to performance evaluation.

Positive Signals

Contract focuses on a critical area of agricultural research with high potential impact.
Fixed-price contract type offers cost control and predictability for the government.
The award is to a firm specializing in biotechnology research, suggesting relevant expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in Biotechnology sector, specifically focusing on agricultural applications. This sector is vital for developing innovative solutions to protect crops and enhance food security. Comparable spending in agricultural R&D can vary widely depending on the scope, but contracts for specialized research often range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding whether Creative Biomart Inc. is a small business or if this contract included small business set-asides is not provided. If the contractor is not a small business, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses related to this specific award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if this contract could have been set aside for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) within the Department of Agriculture. As a purchase order awarded under SAP, it likely undergoes standard procurement review processes. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, but detailed performance monitoring reports are not always publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

Agricultural Research Service Contracts
Biotechnology Research Grants
Plant Pathology Research
Crop Disease Defense Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Lack of contractor performance history
Unclear performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $45,099 to CREATIVE BIOMART INC. BARLEY TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS THAT ACTIVATE DISEASE DEFENSE TO DESTRUCTIVE PATHOGENS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CREATIVE BIOMART INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $45,099.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-08. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the track record of Creative Biomart Inc. in performing federal research and development contracts?

Information regarding Creative Biomart Inc.'s specific track record with federal R&D contracts is not readily available in the provided data. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases like FPDS or SAM.gov would be necessary to assess their past performance, contract values, and any performance ratings. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge their experience and reliability in executing similar government research projects. This lack of readily accessible performance history is a potential risk indicator.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar federal contracts for barley disease research?

Benchmarking this $450,990 contract against similar federal awards for barley disease research is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts. The specialized nature of 'barley transcription factors that activate disease defense' suggests a niche research area. Generally, R&D contracts of this scope can vary significantly based on the specific research objectives, duration, and the expertise required. The limited competition (two bids) also complicates direct price comparisons, as a more competitive environment might have yielded a lower price.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract award?

The primary risks associated with this contract include limited competition, which could lead to suboptimal pricing for the government. Additionally, the lack of readily available performance data for Creative Biomart Inc. raises concerns about their experience and ability to successfully deliver on the research objectives. The specialized nature of the research also means that success is not guaranteed, and the outcomes may not fully meet expectations. Finally, the specific deliverables and performance metrics are not detailed, making it harder to assess project success.

How effective is the Agricultural Research Service in managing R&D contracts of this nature?

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) generally has a strong track record in managing R&D contracts, particularly in areas critical to agriculture. Their effectiveness often depends on the specific program managers and the clarity of the contract's statement of work and deliverables. For this contract, the use of SAP and a fixed-price structure suggests a standard approach. However, the limited competition and the specialized research topic mean that close monitoring of progress and outcomes will be crucial for ensuring effectiveness and value for taxpayer money.

What are the historical spending patterns for R&D in agricultural biotechnology by the Department of Agriculture?

The Department of Agriculture, through agencies like the ARS, consistently invests in R&D for agricultural biotechnology. Historical spending patterns show significant allocations towards research aimed at improving crop yields, disease resistance, and nutritional value. While specific figures for 'barley disease defense' research are not detailed here, overall USDA spending on agricultural R&D runs into hundreds of millions annually, encompassing a wide range of projects from basic science to applied solutions. This contract represents a small but targeted investment within that broader portfolio.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › AGRICULTURE R&D SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 1232SA25Q0403

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 45 1 RAMSEY RD, SHIRLEY, NY, 11967

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $45,099

Exercised Options: $45,099

Current Obligation: $45,099

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline