AFRL Awards $11M Contract for Photonic Materials to Azimuth Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,003,159 ($11.0M)

Contractor: Azimuth Corporation

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2021-07-12

End Date: 2025-07-11

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: AFRL PHOTONIC MATERIALS

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, GREENE County, OHIO, 45433

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $11.0 million to AZIMUTH CORPORATION for work described as: AFRL PHOTONIC MATERIALS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Azimuth Corporation for photonic materials research. 2. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources'. 3. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, indicating potential for cost overruns. 4. Sector is R&D, specifically physical and engineering sciences. 5. The award value is $11,003,158.92 over two delivery orders.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to higher costs than fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract utilized 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources,' suggesting a competitive process but with specific source exclusions. This method aims for fair pricing but the exclusions could limit the breadth of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced materials research. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates careful oversight to ensure value for money.

Public Impact

Supports advanced research in photonic materials, potentially leading to technological advancements. Contract duration extends to July 2025, indicating a long-term research effort. The award contributes to the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) mission.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion
Research and Development contracts can be inherently unpredictable

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized
Supports critical national defense research

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced materials. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation but often involves higher risk and less predictable outcomes compared to procurement of established goods.

Small Business Impact

No information is provided regarding small business participation in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved or had opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service is overseeing this award. Oversight will be critical given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure to manage costs and ensure research objectives are met.

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

Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure
Potential for limited competition
R&D inherent risks
Lack of specific performance metrics in summary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $11.0 million to AZIMUTH CORPORATION. AFRL PHOTONIC MATERIALS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AZIMUTH CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-07-12. End: 2025-07-11.

What specific photonic materials are being researched and what is the expected technological impact?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the photonic materials or their intended applications. Further details from the contract's statement of work would be necessary to assess the specific technological impact and potential benefits to the Air Force and broader scientific community.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' process ensure fair pricing and maximize competition?

This procurement method allows for broad competition but permits the exclusion of specific sources based on defined criteria. While aiming for fairness, the exclusions might limit the number of potential bidders, potentially impacting price discovery. The government must justify these exclusions to ensure they do not unduly restrict competition.

What are the key performance indicators and milestones for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract?

Key performance indicators and milestones are not detailed in the provided summary. For a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, especially in R&D, these would typically involve research progress reports, successful demonstration of prototypes or concepts, and adherence to research timelines. Effective oversight is crucial to track these.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA21R0026

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2970 PRESIDENTIAL DR STE 200, BEAVERCREEK, OH, 45324

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,047,939

Exercised Options: $23,966,030

Current Obligation: $11,003,159

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 6

Total Subaward Amount: $1,984,940

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D4054

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline