DHS Awards $5.1M R&D Contract to Kromek Limited for Biodetection System
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,094,525 ($5.1M)
Contractor: Kromek Limited
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2023-09-29
End Date: 2027-01-31
Contract Duration: 1,220 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: OPEN BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TOPIC SOLICITATION NO. 15: 70RWMD23R00000007 AGENT-AGNOSTIC BIODETECTION SYSTEM CONTRACT AWARD FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO KROMEK LIMITED FOR 4 PHASE FIRM FIXED PRICE EFFORT.
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $5.1 million to KROMEK LIMITED for work described as: OPEN BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TOPIC SOLICITATION NO. 15: 70RWMD23R00000007 AGENT-AGNOSTIC BIODETECTION SYSTEM CONTRACT AWARD FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO KROMEK LIMITED FOR 4 PHASE FIRM FIXED PRICE EFFORT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development of an agent-agnostic biodetection system. 2. Kromek Limited secured the contract through full and open competition. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price effort spanning over three years. 4. This award falls under the Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The $5.1M award for R&D services appears reasonable given the scope of developing an agent-agnostic biodetection system. Benchmarking against similar complex R&D contracts is difficult without more detailed project specifications.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to competitive pricing as multiple vendors have the opportunity to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical research and development in national security, aiming for advanced biodetection capabilities.
Public Impact
Enhances national security through advanced biodetection technology. Supports innovation in the physical and life sciences R&D sector. Potential for future applications in public health and environmental monitoring. Award to a single vendor may limit broader market adoption initially.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited public information on specific performance metrics.
- Potential for cost overruns in complex R&D efforts.
- Dependence on a single contractor for a critical technology.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Focus on a critical national security need.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the R&D sector, specifically NAICS 541715. Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement and national security, with significant government investment annually.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Kromek Limited and does not indicate any specific set-asides or participation from small businesses in this particular award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations, managed this award. Oversight will be critical to ensure the R&D effort meets its objectives within the firm-fixed-price structure.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Office of Procurement Operations Programs
Risk Flags
- Technical complexity of R&D
- Potential for schedule slippage
- Dependence on contractor's expertise
- Defining 'agent-agnostic' comprehensively
- Ensuring broad applicability across diverse threats
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-homeland-security, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $5.1 million to KROMEK LIMITED. OPEN BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TOPIC SOLICITATION NO. 15: 70RWMD23R00000007 AGENT-AGNOSTIC BIODETECTION SYSTEM CONTRACT AWARD FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO KROMEK LIMITED FOR 4 PHASE FIRM FIXED PRICE EFFORT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is KROMEK LIMITED.
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 $5.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-29. End: 2027-01-31.
What are the key performance indicators for the agent-agnostic biodetection system?
Key performance indicators would likely include sensitivity, specificity, detection speed, range, and the ability to identify a wide spectrum of known and unknown biological agents. The contract should detail specific thresholds for these metrics to ensure the system meets the Department of Homeland Security's operational requirements and provides measurable value.
What are the primary risks associated with this R&D effort?
Primary risks include technical feasibility challenges in developing an agent-agnostic system, potential for schedule delays common in R&D, and the possibility that the final technology may not meet all anticipated performance requirements. The firm-fixed-price nature mitigates cost overrun risk for the government but places development risk on the contractor.
How will the effectiveness of the biodetection system be measured post-development?
Effectiveness will be measured through rigorous testing and validation protocols, likely involving simulated threat scenarios and comparison against existing detection methods. Independent verification and validation by government experts will be crucial to confirm the system's reliability, accuracy, and operational utility in real-world conditions.
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: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: 70RWMD23R00000007
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: NET PARK THOMAS WRIGHT WAY, SEDGEFIELD, STOCKTON-ON-TEES
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,949,154
Exercised Options: $5,100,026
Current Obligation: $5,094,525
Actual Outlays: $2,472,737
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-29
Current End Date: 2027-01-31
Potential End Date: 2028-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-29
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