GSA Awards $30.3M R&D Contract to Edaptive Computing Inc. for Verification Tools

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,277,371 ($30.3M)

Contractor: Edaptive Computing Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2020-03-31

End Date: 2023-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,278 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TAME TO1 ENHANCED APPLICATION OF VERIFICATION TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, GREENE County, OHIO, 45433

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $30.3 million to EDAPTIVE COMPUTING INC for work described as: TAME TO1 ENHANCED APPLICATION OF VERIFICATION TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Significant award value of over $30 million. 3. Competition was limited, raising questions about price discovery. 4. The sector is R&D, a critical area for technological advancement.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Without competitive pricing data, assessing value for money is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. This lack of open bidding may have resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of robust competition could lead to taxpayers paying more than necessary for the services provided.

Public Impact

Enhances government capabilities in verification tools and techniques. Supports innovation in scientific and engineering research. Potential for advancements with broad applicability across federal agencies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type

Positive Signals

Focus on R&D
Significant investment in technology enhancement

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for national competitiveness and technological advancement, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a stated requirement or outcome for this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or if the nature of the work did not lend itself to their involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) awarded this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight would involve monitoring the cost-plus fixed fee structure and ensuring the R&D objectives are met within the defined scope.

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 may lead to higher costs.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure carries inherent cost overrun risks.
Lack of detailed scope for 'verification tools and techniques'.
Potential for contractor to lack incentive for cost efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $30.3 million to EDAPTIVE COMPUTING INC. TAME TO1 ENHANCED APPLICATION OF VERIFICATION TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EDAPTIVE COMPUTING INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-03-31. End: 2023-09-30.

What specific verification tools and techniques are being developed, and how do they align with current federal needs?

The contract aims to enhance application of verification tools and techniques. While the specific tools are not detailed, the focus suggests improvements in validating complex systems, software, or scientific models. This aligns with federal needs for ensuring the reliability and security of critical infrastructure, defense systems, and scientific research outcomes.

What are the risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for R&D, especially with limited competition?

The primary risks include potential cost overruns if the fixed fee is not adequately calculated against the R&D effort, and the contractor having less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts. Limited competition exacerbates this by reducing the pressure to offer competitive pricing, potentially leading to inflated costs for the government.

How will the effectiveness of the developed verification tools be measured and validated?

Effectiveness will likely be measured through milestone achievements and the successful application of the developed tools in specific test cases or pilot programs. The GSA and the technical COR will need to establish clear performance metrics and conduct rigorous testing to ensure the tools meet the R&D objectives and provide tangible benefits.

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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA20R0004

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 210 E SPRING VALLEY PIKE STE C, DAYTON, OH, 45458

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,277,371

Exercised Options: $30,277,371

Current Obligation: $30,277,371

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 23

Total Subaward Amount: $35,899,857

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA20D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline