Interior Department awards $13.18M for Machine Learning R&D to CFD Research Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,184,641 ($13.2M)
Contractor: CFD Research Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2022-03-03
End Date: 2027-03-02
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MACHINE LEARNING FOR OPEN SYSTEMS
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $13.2 million to CFD RESEARCH CORPORATION for work described as: MACHINE LEARNING FOR OPEN SYSTEMS Key points: 1. The contract focuses on Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. CFD Research Corporation is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract duration is 5 years, ending March 2027. 4. The NAICS code 541715 indicates a focus on R&D, excluding specific fields.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this $13.18M contract may result in a less favorable price than if multiple vendors had competed.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The specific application of machine learning for open systems is not detailed, limiting public understanding of the project's scope. The long-term impact and effectiveness of this R&D investment will depend on future developments and applications.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Lack of detailed public information on project goals
Positive Signals
- Focus on advanced R&D in machine learning
- Long-term investment in technological advancement
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development, specifically in physical and engineering sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but requires careful oversight to ensure value.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award, suggesting a missed opportunity for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the government receives fair value and that the R&D objectives are met efficiently.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Departmental Offices Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost overrun risks.
- Lack of detailed project scope and success metrics hinders value assessment.
- Potential for taxpayer funds to be used inefficiently without competitive pressure.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-the-interior, al, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $13.2 million to CFD RESEARCH CORPORATION. MACHINE LEARNING FOR OPEN SYSTEMS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CFD RESEARCH CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $13.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-03-03. End: 2027-03-02.
What specific open systems challenges is this machine learning R&D intended to address, and how will success be measured?
The provided data does not specify the exact open systems challenges or the metrics for success. Further details from the Department of the Interior or CFD Research Corporation would be needed to understand the project's objectives and how its effectiveness will be evaluated. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to assess the potential value and impact of the research.
Given the sole-source nature, what steps were taken to ensure the fixed fee is reasonable and represents fair market value?
Without a competitive bidding process, it is crucial that the Department of the Interior conducted thorough market research and cost analysis to establish a reasonable fixed fee. This would involve benchmarking against similar R&D contracts, assessing the contractor's capabilities and historical performance, and potentially negotiating specific cost controls or performance incentives to mitigate risk.
How will the outcomes of this machine learning R&D be transitioned into practical applications or further government initiatives?
The transition plan for the R&D outcomes is not detailed in the provided information. Effective R&D investments typically include strategies for knowledge transfer, prototype development, and integration into existing or future systems. Understanding these transition mechanisms is key to assessing the long-term return on investment and the ultimate effectiveness of this contract.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6820 MOQUIN DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $42,681,592
Exercised Options: $16,525,972
Current Obligation: $13,184,641
Actual Outlays: $12,926,206
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-03-03
Current End Date: 2027-03-02
Potential End Date: 2027-03-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-26
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