DHS Awards $9.9M R&D Contract to RAND Corp for EMI Revitalization
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,889,616 ($9.9M)
Contractor: THE Rand Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2022-09-30
End Date: 2025-04-30
Contract Duration: 943 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: EMI REVITALIZATION PROJECT
Place of Performance
Location: EMMITSBURG, FREDERICK County, MARYLAND, 21727
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $9.9 million to THE RAND CORPORATION for work described as: EMI REVITALIZATION PROJECT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, well-known research organization. 2. Focus on social sciences and humanities R&D suggests specialized application. 3. Cost-plus-fixed-fee structure may incentivize cost overruns. 4. No small business participation noted.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, while common for R&D, can lead to higher final costs compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for social sciences is difficult without more specific details on deliverables.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially reduces the incentive for the contractor to offer the most competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitively awarded contract.
Public Impact
Potential impact on the effectiveness of the EMI Revitalization Project. Questions about the justification for a sole-source award in R&D. Transparency concerns regarding the procurement process.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type
- No small business participation
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institution
- Clear project name and agency
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (NAICS 541720). Spending in this sector can vary widely based on government priorities, but typically involves analysis, policy development, and program evaluation.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates no small business participation. This suggests that the scope of work may not have been conducive to subcontracting opportunities for small businesses, or that they were not actively sought.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants further oversight to ensure the justification for non-competition was sound and that the pricing is reasonable for the services rendered.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type
- Potential for cost overruns
- No small business participation
- Limited transparency on justification for sole-source award
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-homeland-security, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $9.9 million to THE RAND CORPORATION. EMI REVITALIZATION PROJECT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE RAND CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $9.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2025-04-30.
What specific research and development activities are encompassed by the EMI Revitalization Project, and how do they justify a sole-source award?
The specific R&D activities are not detailed in the provided data. A sole-source award typically requires a justification demonstrating that only one responsible source can provide the required services. For the EMI Revitalization Project, this could involve unique expertise, proprietary data access, or critical national security needs that only The RAND Corporation can fulfill, though such justifications should be publicly accessible and rigorously reviewed.
What are the potential risks associated with a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for this R&D project?
Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts carry the risk of cost overruns, as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. This can reduce the contractor's incentive to control costs, potentially leading to higher overall expenditures for the government. Effective oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.
How will the effectiveness of the EMI Revitalization Project be measured, given the R&D nature and sole-source award?
Effectiveness measurement for R&D projects, especially sole-source ones, relies heavily on clearly defined milestones, deliverables, and performance metrics outlined in the contract. The RAND Corporation's reputation suggests a focus on rigorous analysis and reporting. However, without competitive benchmarks, assessing the project's value for money requires careful monitoring of progress against stated objectives and the ultimate impact of the research.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1776 MAIN ST, SANTA MONICA, CA, 90401
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $10,972,246
Exercised Options: $9,889,616
Current Obligation: $9,889,616
Actual Outlays: $7,453,832
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 11
Total Subaward Amount: $4,093,169
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 70RSAT22D00000001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-30
Current End Date: 2025-04-30
Potential End Date: 2025-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-23
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