GSA Awards $198M R&D Contract to Axient LLC for Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $197,883,408 ($197.9M)
Contractor: Axient LLC
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2021-03-29
End Date: 2026-09-28
Contract Duration: 2,009 days
Daily Burn Rate: $98.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DEVELOPMENT CORPS STS3
Place of Performance
Location: EL SEGUNDO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90245
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $197.9 million to AXIENT LLC for work described as: DEVELOPMENT CORPS STS3 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Axient LLC for R&D services. 2. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. 3. Contract duration is 5 years, ending September 2026. 4. Primary NAICS code is 541712 (R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). 5. Firm Fixed Price contract type.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $197.9M over 5 years suggests a significant investment in R&D. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized R&D services would be necessary for a precise value assessment.
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, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The $198M contract represents a substantial taxpayer investment in research and development, aiming to yield advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences.
Public Impact
Supports advancements in critical R&D areas. Contract duration allows for long-term project development. Potential for technological breakthroughs and innovation. Funds allocated for specialized scientific research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Exclusion of sources in competition may limit broader market participation.
- Firm Fixed Price can lead to higher initial costs if scope is uncertain.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition ensures a wide range of potential bidders.
- Long contract duration provides stability for R&D efforts.
- Focus on critical R&D sectors.
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 innovation and technological advancement, often characterized by high upfront investment and long-term payoff.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that Axient LLC is the prime contractor and the contract was not set aside for small businesses (SB: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard GSA oversight mechanisms and performance monitoring should be in place to ensure accountability and effective use of funds.
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 limited competition due to source exclusion.
- Firm Fixed Price risk if R&D scope is highly variable.
- Lack of specific project details hinders immediate impact assessment.
- No small business set-aside noted.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, general-services-administration, ca, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $197.9 million to AXIENT LLC. DEVELOPMENT CORPS STS3
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AXIENT LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $197.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-03-29. End: 2026-09-28.
What specific R&D projects are encompassed by this contract, and what are the expected outcomes?
The contract details are broad, covering 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)'. Specific project objectives and expected deliverables are not detailed in the provided data. A deeper dive into the contract's SOW (Statement of Work) would be required to understand the precise research areas, methodologies, and anticipated scientific or technological advancements.
How does the 'exclusion of sources' clause impact the competitive landscape and potential cost savings?
The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' clause implies that while the competition was open, certain sources were initially excluded, possibly due to specific qualifications or prior relationships. This could potentially narrow the competitive pool compared to a completely unrestricted open competition, which might influence price discovery. However, if the excluded sources were not viable or if the remaining pool was still robust, effective price competition could still be achieved.
What is the long-term strategic value of this $198M investment in R&D for the government?
The long-term strategic value lies in fostering innovation and developing cutting-edge technologies within critical scientific and engineering fields. This investment could lead to advancements that enhance national security, improve public services, drive economic growth, or address complex societal challenges. The success of this contract will be measured by the tangible outcomes and their contribution to the government's strategic objectives in these R&D domains.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 47QFPA21R0001
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1400 CRYSTAL DR STE 200, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $208,936,727
Exercised Options: $208,936,727
Current Obligation: $197,883,408
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 27
Total Subaward Amount: $114,585,005
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS609
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-03-29
Current End Date: 2026-09-28
Potential End Date: 2026-09-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
More Contracts from Axient LLC
- Counter - Rocket Artillery Mortar (cram) Technical, Logistics and Program Management Support Services — $359.9M (General Services Administration)
- Test, Exercise and Wargames Support Igf::ot::igf — $233.8M (Department of Defense)
- ORS Rapid Response Branch. Communications Development Under the Rrsw Idiq Contract. the Contractor Shall Furnish ALL Labor, Supplies, Materials, Travel, Other Direct Costs, and Fees Necessary to Accomplish the Requirements Contained in the Attached Task Order — $191.5M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Range Task Order — $177.3M (Department of Defense)
- Smas II Provides Support to Gsfc Projects in the Development of Safety and Mission Assurance Requirements, and the Independent Surveillance, Audit, Review and Assessment of Design, Development, Test, and Mission Operations Activities On-Site and AT Supplier Facilities. This Includes Management of Institutional Risk Related to Project Operations — $170.9M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Other General Services Administration Contracts
- Software Life Cycle Development — $1.4B (Science Applications International Corporation)
- Task Order (TO) 47qfca21f0018 IS Hereby Awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. (BAH) to Provide Enterprise Level Data to the Ousd(c), and ITS Strategic Partners (I.E., DOD Fourth Estate, DOD Departments, and IC Community) — $1.4B (Booz Allen Hamilton Inc)
- Federal Contract — $1.2B (Booz Allen Hamilton Inc)
- THE Scope of the to IS to Provide Enterprise IT Services for the Usace — $1.1B (Science Applications International Corporation)
- Task Order Award — $1.1B (Booz Allen Hamilton Inc)