DOT Funds $4.78M for Soil Moisture Research at Jackson State University
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $477,831 ($477.8K)
Contractor: Jackson State University
Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation
Start Date: 2023-08-03
End Date: 2026-08-30
Contract Duration: 1,123 days
Daily Burn Rate: $425/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 60
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP MODELS TO DETERMINE THE SOIL MOISTURE CONTENT, PORE WATER PRESSURE, AND MATRIC SUCTION OF THE SOIL BASED ON ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY IMAGING (ERI).
Place of Performance
Location: JACKSON, HINDS County, MISSISSIPPI, 39217
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Transportation obligated $477,831 to JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY for work described as: THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP MODELS TO DETERMINE THE SOIL MOISTURE CONTENT, PORE WATER PRESSURE, AND MATRIC SUCTION OF THE SOIL BASED ON ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY IMAGING (ERI). Key points: 1. Focuses on developing models for soil moisture, pore water pressure, and matric suction using electrical resistivity imaging. 2. Contract awarded to Jackson State University, a single academic institution. 3. Potential for improved infrastructure planning and maintenance through better soil understanding. 4. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is a broad category with varying cost benchmarks.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $4.78M for a 3-year R&D project appears reasonable for specialized scientific research. Benchmarking is difficult without specific details on the complexity of the models and data required.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the awardee is a single university, which may indicate a specialized research need or a focus on academic partnerships.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting advanced scientific research with potential long-term benefits for infrastructure management and safety.
Public Impact
Enhances understanding of soil conditions, crucial for transportation infrastructure stability. Develops advanced modeling techniques applicable to various geological and environmental challenges. Supports academic research and innovation within a key federal agency's mission.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Research scope may be highly specialized, limiting broader applicability.
- Long-term impact and commercialization potential are uncertain at this stage.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical infrastructure needs through scientific advancement.
- Leverages academic expertise for innovative solutions.
- Clear project objectives and defined contract period.
Sector Analysis
This project falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector can vary widely depending on the specific field and project scale. Federal investment in R&D is crucial for technological advancement and addressing national challenges.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to a university, not a small business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The Federal Railroad Administration is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for R&D contracts would apply, focusing on progress reports, milestone achievement, and financial accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Transportation Contracting
- Federal Railroad Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Scientific complexity and potential for unforeseen research challenges.
- Dependence on the specific expertise and resources of Jackson State University.
- Uncertainty regarding the direct applicability and scalability of the developed models.
- Long-term maintenance and updating of the models may require ongoing investment.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-transportation, ms, definitive-contract, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Transportation awarded $477,831 to JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP MODELS TO DETERMINE THE SOIL MOISTURE CONTENT, PORE WATER PRESSURE, AND MATRIC SUCTION OF THE SOIL BASED ON ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY IMAGING (ERI).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Railroad Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $477,831.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-08-03. End: 2026-08-30.
What is the potential for this research to be applied to other areas of federal infrastructure beyond railroads?
The models developed for soil moisture, pore water pressure, and matric suction using electrical resistivity imaging have broad applicability. Beyond railroads, these findings could inform the design, construction, and maintenance of highways, bridges, dams, and other critical infrastructure susceptible to soil conditions. This could lead to more resilient and cost-effective federal projects nationwide.
What are the key risks associated with the successful development and implementation of these soil models?
Key risks include the scientific complexity of accurately modeling soil behavior, the variability of soil types and environmental conditions, and the potential for the developed models to be computationally intensive or difficult to calibrate in real-world scenarios. Ensuring data quality and validation against empirical measurements will be critical to mitigate these risks and ensure the models' reliability.
How will the effectiveness of the developed models be measured and validated?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through rigorous validation against field data collected from various soil types and conditions. The project may involve comparing model predictions with direct measurements of soil moisture, pore water pressure, and matric suction. Success metrics could include the accuracy and precision of the model's outputs, its ability to generalize across different sites, and its computational efficiency.
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 › Transportation R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 60
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1400 J R LYNCH ST, JACKSON, MS, 39217
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Higher Education (Minority Serving), U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $477,831
Exercised Options: $477,831
Current Obligation: $477,831
Actual Outlays: $359,304
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-08-03
Current End Date: 2026-08-30
Potential End Date: 2026-08-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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