GSA Awards $56.4M R&D Contract to Tecolote Research for Acquisition Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $56,418,466 ($56.4M)

Contractor: Tecolote Research, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2019-04-01

End Date: 2024-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,009 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SMC ACQUISITION AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: EL SEGUNDO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90245

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $56.4 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: SMC ACQUISITION AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $56.4M over 5 years. 2. Tecolote Research, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources. 4. Spending falls within the R&D sector, specifically physical, engineering, and life sciences.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D support contracts is difficult without more granular cost data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process. However, the exclusion of sources warrants further investigation into its justification and impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for R&D support services, with the final cost influenced by the competitive process and contract type.

Public Impact

Supports federal acquisition and financial management, impacting government efficiency. R&D spending can drive innovation and technological advancement. Contract duration of over 5 years indicates a long-term need for these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
Exclusion of sources in competition

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized
Supports critical R&D functions

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending benchmarks for this specific type of acquisition support are not readily available, but R&D contracts can vary significantly in cost.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as the 'sb' field is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or achieved through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) awarded this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight would involve monitoring Tecolote Research's performance and adherence to contract terms, especially given the CPFF structure.

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

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
Lack of transparency regarding excluded sources.
No indication of small business participation.
Long contract duration may not adapt to evolving R&D needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $56.4 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC.. SMC ACQUISITION AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $56.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-04-01. End: 2024-09-30.

What was the specific justification for excluding sources in the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award?

The justification for excluding sources in a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award is typically related to specific technical requirements, existing intellectual property, or unique capabilities that only a limited number of entities possess. Without further details on this specific contract, it's difficult to ascertain the precise reason. However, such exclusions can sometimes limit the competitive landscape and potentially impact the final price achieved.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure for this R&D support contract mitigate potential cost overruns for taxpayers?

The CPFF structure aims to provide a degree of cost control by establishing a fixed fee for the contractor's effort, regardless of the final cost incurred. However, the government bears the risk of cost overruns on the 'cost' portion of the contract. Effective oversight, detailed cost tracking, and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate potential overruns and ensure value for taxpayers.

What is the expected impact of Tecolote Research's acquisition and financial management support on the efficiency of federal R&D programs?

Effective acquisition and financial management support are critical for the efficient execution of federal R&D programs. By streamlining processes, ensuring compliance, and providing expert financial guidance, Tecolote Research can help accelerate project timelines, optimize resource allocation, and reduce administrative burdens. This ultimately allows R&D agencies to focus more resources on scientific and technical advancements.

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 › 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: ID09180083

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 420 S FAIRVIEW AVE STE 201, GOLETA, CA, 93117

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $58,472,757

Exercised Options: $58,386,330

Current Obligation: $56,418,466

Actual Outlays: $669,248

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 440

Total Subaward Amount: $1,536,082,862

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS619

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline