DOI Awards $2.3M R&D Contract to Ziva Corporation for Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences Research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,299,960 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Ziva Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-06-05

End Date: 2027-06-04

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TITLE: NESTOR 140D04240055 / ZIVA CORPORATION

Place of Performance

Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92111

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.3 million to ZIVA CORPORATION for work described as: TITLE: NESTOR 140D04240055 / ZIVA CORPORATION Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.3M awarded to Ziva Corporation. 2. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is the focus. 3. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources. 4. The contract is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price. 5. The award is for a duration of 1094 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.3M for a 3-year R&D effort appears within a reasonable range for specialized research. Benchmarking against similar contracts in the physical, engineering, and life sciences sector is difficult without more specific details on the research scope.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This suggests an initial exclusion of some sources, followed by a broader competition. The pricing discovery mechanism is likely influenced by the initial exclusion, potentially limiting the full benefit of open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The $2.3M award represents taxpayer investment in R&D. The effectiveness of this investment will depend on the successful outcomes of the research conducted by Ziva Corporation.

Public Impact

Advancement of scientific knowledge in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Potential for new technologies or solutions stemming from the research. Support for a specific research and development initiative within the Department of the Interior.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' clause.
Lack of specific details on the R&D scope makes value assessment challenging.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Long-term award (1094 days) allows for sustained research effort.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences category (NAICS 541715). Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but can vary significantly based on project scope and agency priorities. Benchmarks are highly project-specific.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. The primary awardee is Ziva Corporation, and further analysis would be needed to determine their size status and any subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a definitive contract, suggesting it's a formal agreement. Oversight would typically involve monitoring research progress, adherence to milestones, and financial expenditures by the Department of the Interior to ensure accountability and effective use of funds.

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

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Lack of detailed research scope makes value assessment difficult.
Unclear impact of source exclusion on final pricing.
Absence of defined success metrics or KPIs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.3 million to ZIVA CORPORATION. TITLE: NESTOR 140D04240055 / ZIVA CORPORATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ZIVA CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-05. End: 2027-06-04.

What specific research objectives does this contract aim to achieve, and how do they align with the Department of the Interior's strategic goals?

The provided data lacks specific details on the research objectives. To assess alignment, one would need to review the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) associated with the contract. This would clarify the intended outcomes and allow for evaluation against the Department of the Interior's mission and strategic priorities in areas like resource management, environmental science, or infrastructure.

What was the rationale for excluding certain sources before the full and open competition, and did this exclusion impact the final price?

The rationale for excluding sources prior to full and open competition is not detailed in the provided data. This exclusion could stem from specific technical requirements, prior work, or other justifications. Understanding this rationale is crucial to assess if it potentially limited the competitive landscape and, consequently, the price discovery process, possibly leading to a less optimal price than a truly open competition from the outset.

How will the success of Ziva Corporation's R&D efforts be measured, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) and specific measurement criteria for the success of Ziva Corporation's R&D efforts are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such contracts would outline deliverables, milestones, technical performance metrics, and reporting requirements. Effective oversight would involve tracking progress against these defined KPIs to ensure the research is on track and delivering the expected scientific or technological advancements.

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 › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8001 VICKERS ST, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92111

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,299,960

Exercised Options: $2,299,960

Current Obligation: $2,299,960

Actual Outlays: $1,399,562

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline