GSA Awards $16.5M Sbir Phase III TO1 to Eccalon, LLC for R&D

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,506,817 ($16.5M)

Contractor: Eccalon, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2022-08-12

End Date: 2024-08-11

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: CS4SB SBIR PHASE III TO1 AWARD. THIS TO1 FALLS UNDER BASIC CONTRACT 47QFCA22D0502. THIS SBIR PHASE III WORK IS A FOLLOW ON FROM THE PREVIOUS SBIR PHASE I, TOPIC N193-A01, CONTRACT NUMBER N68335-20-F-0106.

Place of Performance

Location: HANOVER, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 21076

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $16.5 million to ECCALON, LLC for work described as: CS4SB SBIR PHASE III TO1 AWARD. THIS TO1 FALLS UNDER BASIC CONTRACT 47QFCA22D0502. THIS SBIR PHASE III WORK IS A FOLLOW ON FROM THE PREVIOUS SBIR PHASE I, TOPIC N193-A01, CONTRACT NUMBER N68335-20-F-0106. Key points: 1. Awarded under existing basic contract 47QFCA22D0502. 2. Follow-on work from SBIR Phase I (N68335-20-F-0106). 3. Focuses on R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 4. Contract type is Delivery Order, labor hours. 5. No small business set-aside indicated.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $16.5M for a 2-year period is substantial. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, it's difficult to assess value for money. Pricing is based on labor hours, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract is a TO1 under a basic contract, and the data indicates it's 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. This suggests a limited competition approach, likely due to the follow-on nature of SBIR Phase III work building on prior research.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is significant due to the $16.5M award. The effectiveness of this spending depends on the successful transition of SBIR-funded technology into a viable product or service.

Public Impact

Supports innovation through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Potential for new technologies or advancements in R&D fields. Funding allocated to a specific company, ECCALON, LLC. Contract duration of two years suggests ongoing development or implementation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of clear competition.
Potential for cost overruns with labor hour contracts.
Limited transparency on specific R&D outcomes.

Positive Signals

Supports small business innovation.
Follow-on funding for promising research.
Leverages existing basic contract.

Sector Analysis

This award falls under the Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences category. Federal spending in this sector aims to drive innovation and technological advancement, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific research area and project scope.

Small Business Impact

This contract is part of the SBIR program, designed to support small businesses in R&D. However, the data indicates this specific award is not set-aside for small businesses, and ECCALON, LLC's size status is not provided.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability relies on the successful completion of research objectives and the transition of technology, as outlined in the Phase III requirements.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential price inflation.
Labor hour contracts can be susceptible to scope creep and cost overruns.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Unclear if ECCALON, LLC is still a small business at Phase III.
Potential for R&D outcomes to not meet expectations or transition effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $16.5 million to ECCALON, LLC. CS4SB SBIR PHASE III TO1 AWARD. THIS TO1 FALLS UNDER BASIC CONTRACT 47QFCA22D0502. THIS SBIR PHASE III WORK IS A FOLLOW ON FROM THE PREVIOUS SBIR PHASE I, TOPIC N193-A01, CONTRACT NUMBER N68335-20-F-0106.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ECCALON, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-12. End: 2024-08-11.

What are the specific R&D objectives and expected outcomes for this $16.5M award?

The specific R&D objectives and expected outcomes are not detailed in the provided data. As an SBIR Phase III award, it's intended to transition technologies developed in earlier phases into full commercial applications or military use. Further details would likely be found in the contract's statement of work and performance metrics.

How does the limited competition impact the overall value and innovation achieved?

Limited competition, especially in SBIR Phase III, is often justified by the need to build upon prior investment and expertise. While it may reduce price pressure, it can also limit exposure to alternative solutions. The value and innovation depend heavily on the government's ability to clearly define needs and ECCALON's capacity to deliver unique advancements.

What is the long-term plan for commercializing or utilizing the R&D results?

The long-term plan for commercialization or utilization is a critical aspect of SBIR Phase III. The goal is to move the technology out of the lab and into the market or operational use. Success metrics would include successful technology transfer, market adoption, or integration into government systems, demonstrating a return on the initial federal investment.

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: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 47QFCA22Q0021

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1333 ASHTON RD, HANOVER, MD, 21076

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,853,113

Exercised Options: $18,328,744

Current Obligation: $16,506,817

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFCA22D0502

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline