DHS awards $3.6M RDT&E contract to Signature Science LLC for chemistry research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,595,788 ($3.6M)

Contractor: Signature Science LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-09-18

End Date: 2026-04-17

Contract Duration: 576 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TSL RDT&E IDIQ TASK ORDER FOR THE DEVELOPMENTAL TEST AND EVALUATION FOR CHEMISTRY APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN SUPPORT OF TEST AND EVALUATION

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTIC CITY, ATLANTIC County, NEW JERSEY, 08405

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $3.6 million to SIGNATURE SCIENCE LLC for work described as: TSL RDT&E IDIQ TASK ORDER FOR THE DEVELOPMENTAL TEST AND EVALUATION FOR CHEMISTRY APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN SUPPORT OF TEST AND EVALUATION Key points: 1. Contract focuses on developmental test and evaluation for applied chemistry R&D. 2. The contract is a task order under a larger IDIQ vehicle. 3. The period of performance spans approximately 1.75 years. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541715, indicating a focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences research. 6. This award represents a small portion of overall federal R&D spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.6 million for a 1.75-year RDT&E effort is moderate. As a Time and Materials contract, the final cost is dependent on the hours worked and labor rates, making direct value-for-money assessment difficult without further data on labor categories and rates. Benchmarking against similar chemistry R&D contracts would be necessary for a more precise valuation, but the current data suggests a standard market rate for specialized research services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple capable vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters competitive pricing. The use of an IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity) task order structure implies that a broader competition may have occurred at the IDIQ level, with this task order potentially being one of several awarded.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of offers, potentially leading to more competitive pricing and better value.

Public Impact

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the primary beneficiary, receiving advanced research to support its mission. The contract will deliver developmental test and evaluation services for chemistry applied research. The geographic impact is centered in New Jersey, where the contractor is located. The contract supports specialized scientific and technical workforce needs within the R&D sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the R&D outcomes.
The contract is a task order, meaning its success is contingent on the performance of the parent IDIQ contract.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process.
The contractor, Signature Science LLC, likely possesses specialized expertise in chemistry R&D.
The contract supports critical research and development for a federal agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The NAICS code 541715 covers a broad range of scientific research and experimental development services. Federal spending in this area is crucial for innovation and national security. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other DHS or similar agency contracts for applied chemistry research and developmental testing.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award. The primary focus is on larger, specialized R&D firms capable of fulfilling the contract requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery of specified research and testing outcomes according to the contract's terms. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed R&D progress reports are often sensitive.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Research and Development Programs
Federal Applied Chemistry Research Contracts
Test and Evaluation Services Contracts
Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (Time and Materials Contract)
Scope Creep Potential
Performance Measurement Difficulty in R&D

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $3.6 million to SIGNATURE SCIENCE LLC. TSL RDT&E IDIQ TASK ORDER FOR THE DEVELOPMENTAL TEST AND EVALUATION FOR CHEMISTRY APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN SUPPORT OF TEST AND EVALUATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIGNATURE SCIENCE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-18. End: 2026-04-17.

What is the track record of Signature Science LLC in performing similar RDT&E contracts for federal agencies?

Signature Science LLC has a history of performing research and development services for various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. Their expertise often lies in areas such as chemical and biological defense, materials science, and analytical chemistry. Analyzing their past performance on similar Time and Materials or cost-plus contracts would reveal their ability to manage project scope, control costs, and deliver quality research outcomes within federal acquisition regulations. Specific contract awards and their associated performance evaluations, if publicly available, would provide further insight into their reliability and effectiveness as a federal contractor in the RDT&E space.

How does the $3.6 million value compare to other developmental test and evaluation contracts for chemistry R&D?

The $3.6 million award value for a 1.75-year developmental test and evaluation (DT&E) contract in chemistry R&D is within a moderate range for specialized federal research efforts. Larger, more complex RDT&E programs can easily reach tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Conversely, smaller, more focused research tasks might be in the hundreds of thousands. The specific nature of the 'chemistry applied research' and the scope of the 'developmental test and evaluation' are key factors. Without more granular detail on the specific technical requirements and deliverables, a precise comparison is challenging. However, for a task order under an IDIQ, this value suggests a significant but not massive undertaking.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for R&D services?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for R&D services is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. If the project scope is not well-defined, or if the contractor's efficiency is low, the total cost can escalate beyond initial expectations. For R&D, where outcomes can be uncertain, T&M can incentivize longer project durations rather than efficient problem-solving. Effective oversight, clear task definitions, and robust monitoring of labor hours and material costs are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for the government.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 541715 for this contract?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology),' signifies that this contract is for highly specialized scientific research and experimental development. This code covers a broad spectrum of scientific inquiry, including chemistry, physics, materials science, and various engineering disciplines. For this specific contract, it indicates that the work performed by Signature Science LLC involves advanced scientific investigation and testing within these fields, likely contributing to technological advancements or solutions for the Department of Homeland Security's operational needs. It helps categorize the contract within the broader federal procurement landscape and identify relevant industry capabilities.

How does the 'full and open competition' procurement method impact the potential value for taxpayers?

The 'full and open competition' procurement method is generally considered beneficial for taxpayers. It mandates that all qualified responsible sources are permitted to submit a bid or proposal. This broadens the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions. By encouraging a wider range of vendors to compete, the government can often secure goods or services at a lower cost than through more restrictive methods like sole-source or limited competition. This competitive pressure drives contractors to offer their best value propositions, ultimately leading to more efficient use of taxpayer funds.

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 › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 70RSAT24R00000014

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Signature Science, LLC

Address: 8329 N MOPAC EXPY, AUSTIN, TX, 78759

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,245,125

Exercised Options: $6,245,125

Current Obligation: $3,595,788

Actual Outlays: $1,944,880

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RSAT23D00000003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline