DOE awards $3.4M to University of Nebraska NSRI for R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,445,614 ($3.4M)
Contractor: National Strategic Research Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2021-09-28
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,828 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TASK ORDER WITH UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA NATIONAL STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE NSRI
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $3.4 million to NATIONAL STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE for work described as: TASK ORDER WITH UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA NATIONAL STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE NSRI Key points: 1. The award focuses on Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, excluding Nanotechnology and Biotechnology. 2. This is a non-competed delivery order, raising questions about price discovery and competition. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost overruns. 4. The duration of the contract is over 5 years, indicating a long-term research commitment.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type, combined with a lack of competition, makes it difficult to assess value for money. Benchmarking is not possible without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to the National Strategic Research Institute. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs than a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for the research services provided.
Public Impact
Research and Development funding supports scientific advancement and innovation. The specific research area is broad, covering physical, engineering, and life sciences. Long-term contracts can provide stability for research institutions but require careful oversight.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Long contract duration without clear milestones
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D in science and engineering
- Partnership with a research institute
Sector Analysis
The award falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but requires rigorous oversight to ensure efficient use of funds.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to a university research institute and does not appear to involve small business participation. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Given the sole-source nature and Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, robust oversight is critical to ensure the government receives fair value and that costs are controlled effectively throughout the contract's duration.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Department of Energy Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency on specific research outcomes
- No clear indication of small business utilization
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-energy, dc, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $3.4 million to NATIONAL STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE. TASK ORDER WITH UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA NATIONAL STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE NSRI
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NATIONAL STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-09-28. End: 2026-09-30.
What specific research objectives does this task order aim to achieve, and how do they align with national strategic priorities?
The provided data lacks specific research objectives. The task order falls under 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)'. To assess alignment with national priorities, a detailed review of the statement of work and the NSRI's mission would be necessary. Understanding the intended outcomes and their potential impact on national security or scientific advancement is key.
What mechanisms are in place to control costs and ensure efficiency given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type and lack of competition?
With a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract and no competition, cost control relies heavily on the government's oversight and the fixed fee negotiation. Mechanisms should include detailed cost monitoring, regular audits, and clear performance metrics. The fixed fee should be justified based on the anticipated effort and risk, and any deviations from the planned scope or cost require stringent justification and approval.
How will the effectiveness and impact of the research conducted under this task order be measured and evaluated?
Effectiveness measurement for R&D contracts often involves tracking milestones, deliverables (reports, prototypes, data), and peer review of findings. For this task order, the Department of Energy must establish clear performance metrics and evaluation criteria tied to the research objectives. Regular progress reviews and final assessments of the research's contribution to scientific knowledge or technological advancement are essential.
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 › Energy R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 89233121QNA000187
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3835 HOLDREGE ST, LINCOLN, NE, 68503
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: $3,595,582
Exercised Options: $3,595,582
Current Obligation: $3,445,614
Actual Outlays: $3,185,478
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $382,725
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89233121DNA000037
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-09-28
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-11
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