GSA awards $3M R&D contract for advanced prototyping, testing, and diagnostics support to Universal Technical Resource Services Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,045,331 ($3.0M)

Contractor: Universal Technical Resource Services Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-02-28

End Date: 2027-02-27

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ADVANCED PROTOTYPING TESTING AND DIAGNOSTICS SUPPORT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: MARLTON, BURLINGTON County, NEW JERSEY, 08053

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3.0 million to UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL RESOURCE SERVICES INC for work described as: ADVANCED PROTOTYPING TESTING AND DIAGNOSTICS SUPPORT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract value of $3.05 million over three years for specialized R&D services. 2. Procured via full and open competition, indicating a broad market search. 3. Delivery order under an existing contract suggests a streamlined acquisition process. 4. Focus on advanced prototyping and diagnostics points to critical technological development. 5. Contract duration of three years allows for sustained research and development efforts. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 covers R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.05 million for three years of R&D services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of advanced prototyping, testing, and diagnostics. Benchmarking against similar contracts for R&D support in physical and engineering sciences would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while common for R&D, requires careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors were likely solicited and had the opportunity to bid. The presence of three bidders, as indicated by the 'no' field, signifies a healthy level of competition for this specialized R&D requirement. This competitive environment generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for the government's investment in advanced research and development.

Public Impact

The contract supports the development of advanced prototypes and diagnostic tools, potentially leading to technological advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The services delivered are crucial for research and development efforts within the federal government. The contract's impact is primarily on the technological advancement and research capabilities rather than a broad geographic or workforce impact. The primary beneficiaries are government research initiatives requiring specialized technical expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract type if not closely managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for specialized R&D services could limit future flexibility.
The specific outcomes and deliverables of the R&D are not detailed, posing a risk of misalignment with agency goals.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a broad search for qualified vendors.
Contract duration of three years allows for sustained focus and development.
The contractor, Universal Technical Resource Services Inc., is likely selected based on demonstrated expertise in R&D.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for R&D services is highly specialized, with a significant portion of government spending directed towards innovation and technological advancement. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts awarded under NAICS code 541715 for similar R&D support services.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor actively engages small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific project details may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development Services
Advanced Technology Development
Prototyping Services
Engineering Support Services
Scientific Research Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing requires close monitoring to control costs.
Scope creep risk in R&D projects.
Dependence on contractor's innovation and expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3.0 million to UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL RESOURCE SERVICES INC. ADVANCED PROTOTYPING TESTING AND DIAGNOSTICS SUPPORT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL RESOURCE SERVICES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-28. End: 2027-02-27.

What is the track record of Universal Technical Resource Services Inc. in performing similar R&D contracts for the federal government?

A comprehensive review of Universal Technical Resource Services Inc.'s past performance would involve examining their contract history with federal agencies, particularly for R&D services under NAICS code 541715. This would include assessing their successful completion of similar projects, client satisfaction ratings, and any history of performance issues or disputes. Data from contract databases and performance evaluation reports (if publicly available) would be crucial in determining their suitability and reliability for this advanced prototyping and diagnostics support contract.

How does the awarded contract value compare to market rates for similar R&D services?

To benchmark the value, one would compare the contract's total value ($3.05 million over three years) against industry data for R&D services in physical, engineering, and life sciences. This involves analyzing average hourly rates, project costs, and overhead structures for comparable firms performing similar tasks. Factors such as the level of specialization, security clearances required, and geographic location of services can influence market rates. Without specific market data for this niche, a definitive comparison is challenging, but the value appears within a plausible range for specialized R&D support.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential cost overruns due to the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, which requires diligent oversight to manage labor hours and material costs. Another risk is the contractor's ability to deliver innovative solutions aligned with evolving R&D needs. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by GSA, including regular performance reviews, detailed cost tracking, and clear communication channels to address any technical or budgetary challenges promptly. The competitive award process also mitigates the risk of selecting an unqualified vendor.

How effective is the chosen acquisition strategy (delivery order under an existing contract) for this type of R&D support?

Utilizing a delivery order under an existing contract, especially one established through full and open competition, can be an effective strategy for acquiring specialized R&D support. It allows for faster procurement compared to a new solicitation, leveraging pre-vetted capabilities. This approach is efficient when the agency has a clear understanding of its needs and trusts the capabilities of the contract vehicle. However, it relies on the original contract having sufficient scope and flexibility to accommodate the current requirements.

What is the historical spending pattern for advanced prototyping and diagnostics support by the General Services Administration?

Analyzing GSA's historical spending on advanced prototyping, testing, and diagnostics support would involve reviewing procurement data over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the agencies or programs that have utilized such support. Understanding these patterns can help identify whether this $3.05 million contract represents a significant increase or decrease in spending, and whether it aligns with GSA's strategic priorities in R&D and technological advancement.

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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFEA23K0013

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 50 LAKE CTR STE 405, MARLTON, NJ, 08053

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $82,562,396

Exercised Options: $64,442,620

Current Obligation: $3,045,331

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA19D009N

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline