AFIT Faculty & Tech Support Task Order Awarded to Applied Research Solutions for $15.76M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,766,305 ($15.8M)

Contractor: Applied Research Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2022-09-01

End Date: 2025-02-28

Contract Duration: 911 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: AFIT FACULTY AND TECH SUPPORT TASK ORDER 2

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, GREENE County, OHIO, 45433

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $15.8 million to APPLIED RESEARCH SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: AFIT FACULTY AND TECH SUPPORT TASK ORDER 2 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Applied Research Solutions, Inc. for faculty and technical support. 2. The contract falls under R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 3. Awarded via a BPA Call under full and open competition. 4. The contract duration is 911 days, ending February 28, 2025. 5. This is a Time and Materials contract type.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $15.76M over approximately 3 years appears reasonable for specialized R&D support. Benchmarking against similar R&D task orders would provide a more definitive assessment of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition via a BPA Call. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a broad range of potential offerors to compete.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayer funds are being utilized efficiently, though the specific pricing structure (Time and Materials) warrants monitoring for cost control.

Public Impact

Supports the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in critical research and development activities. Ensures continuity of specialized faculty and technical support for educational and research programs. Potential impact on advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
Potential for scope creep in R&D contracts.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Supports a critical educational and research institution (AFIT).
Task order is part of a larger BPA, suggesting established contract vehicles.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically for physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation and national security, with significant government investment annually.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or achieved through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial given the Time and Materials contract type to ensure costs remain within budget and that the scope of work is adhered to. The General Services Administration (GSA) is the contracting agency.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type.
No specific performance metrics provided.
Potential for scope creep in R&D.
Contractor is not a small business.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $15.8 million to APPLIED RESEARCH SOLUTIONS, INC.. AFIT FACULTY AND TECH SUPPORT TASK ORDER 2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APPLIED RESEARCH SOLUTIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-01. End: 2025-02-28.

What specific R&D areas does AFIT focus on, and how does this contract align with those priorities?

AFIT focuses on a broad range of advanced research areas relevant to the Air Force, including aeronautics, astronautics, electrical engineering, computer science, and various physical sciences. This task order likely supports specific research projects or ongoing operational needs within these disciplines, ensuring faculty expertise and technical support are available to advance Air Force technological capabilities and educate its personnel.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for R&D support?

The primary risks with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts in R&D are cost overruns and potential scope creep. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for direct labor hours and materials at specified rates. Without stringent oversight, monitoring, and clear task definitions, contractors may incur higher costs than anticipated, and the scope of work could expand beyond the original intent, leading to increased expenditure without a proportional increase in value.

How effective is the full and open competition process in ensuring value for R&D task orders of this nature?

Full and open competition is generally effective in ensuring value by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. For R&D task orders, it allows a wider pool of specialized firms to bid, potentially leading to better technical solutions and more cost-effective approaches. However, the effectiveness also depends on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria, and the government's ability to accurately assess the technical merit and proposed costs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA22Q0220

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 51 PLUM ST, BEAVERCREEK, OH, 45440

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,995,037

Exercised Options: $24,995,037

Current Obligation: $15,766,305

Actual Outlays: $-670

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 61

Total Subaward Amount: $2,594,245

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA20A0007

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline