DoD Awards $14.1M Research Contract to University Consortium for Basic Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,186,748 ($14.2M)
Contractor: Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2003-03-26
End Date: 2011-07-31
Contract Duration: 3,049 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: 200308!000968!2100!SW01 !DEF. CONTRACT. CMD. - WASHINGTON!DASW0103C0010 !A!N! !N! !20030326!20050331!089191779!089191779!089191779!N!CONSORTIUM OF UNIVERSITIES OF !ONE DUPONT CIRCLE, N W !WASHINGTON !DC!20036!01000!510!51!ALEXANDRIA !ALEXANDRIA (CITY) !VIRGINIA !+000001125650!N!N!000018790769!AD21!RDTE/SERVICES-BASIC RESEARCH !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPME!1000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541720!E! !3!C!S! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !B! !A!N!J!2!001!K! !Z!Y!Z! ! !N!B!N!N! ! !A! !B!A!000!B!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20036
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $14.2 million to CONSORTIUM OF UNIVERSITIES OF THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA for work described as: 200308!000968!2100!SW01 !DEF. CONTRACT. CMD. - WASHINGTON!DASW0103C0010 !A!N! !N! !20030326!20050331!089191779!089191779!089191779!N!CONSORTIUM OF UNIVERSITIES OF !ONE DUPONT CIRCLE, N W !WASHINGTON !DC!20036!01000!510!51!ALEXANDRIA !ALEXA… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for basic research services in social sciences and humanities. 2. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', suggesting potential limitations. 3. The contract duration is over 8 years, indicating a long-term research initiative. 4. Small business participation is not indicated, raising questions about broader economic impact.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $14.1 million over 8 years is substantial for basic research. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables, but the duration suggests significant investment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. While 'full and open' implies broad competition, the exclusion clause needs further scrutiny to understand its impact on price discovery and potential market distortions.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are allocated to academic research, aiming for long-term societal benefits. The effectiveness and efficiency of this allocation depend on the research outcomes and oversight.
Public Impact
Supports academic research in social sciences and humanities, potentially leading to new insights and policy recommendations. Long contract duration may indicate a stable funding stream for a specific research area. Lack of small business set-aside suggests opportunities may be concentrated among larger academic institutions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Competition method requires clarification on source exclusion.
- Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or changing research priorities.
- No indication of small business involvement.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical basic research.
- Long-term funding stability for research initiative.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (NAICS 541720). Federal spending in this sector often supports academic institutions for foundational research that may not have immediate commercial applications but contributes to knowledge advancement.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award. This suggests the primary awardee is likely a larger entity, and opportunities for small businesses in this specific research area may be limited or were not pursued.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army. The long duration necessitates robust monitoring to ensure research objectives are met and funds are used effectively, with accountability mechanisms in place for progress reporting.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of clarity on 'exclusion of sources' impact.
- Long contract duration poses risk of research becoming outdated.
- No explicit small business participation noted.
- Difficulty in quantifying 'value' for basic research.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-defense, dc, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $14.2 million to CONSORTIUM OF UNIVERSITIES OF THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA. 200308!000968!2100!SW01 !DEF. CONTRACT. CMD. - WASHINGTON!DASW0103C0010 !A!N! !N! !20030326!20050331!089191779!089191779!089191779!N!CONSORTIUM OF UNIVERSITIES OF !ONE DUPONT CIRCLE, N W !WASHINGTON !DC!20036!01000!510!51!ALEXANDRIA !ALEXANDRIA (CITY) !VIRGINIA !+000001125650!N!N!000018790769!AD21!RDTE/SERVICES-BASIC RESEARCH !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPME!1000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541720!E! !3!C!S! ! ! !99990909!B
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CONSORTIUM OF UNIVERSITIES OF THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $14.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-03-26. End: 2011-07-31.
What specific research outcomes are expected from this $14.1 million investment over 8 years, and how will their value to the public be measured?
The contract focuses on basic research in social sciences and humanities. Expected outcomes are advancements in knowledge and understanding within these fields, potentially informing policy or societal development. Measuring value is challenging for basic research, but success could be gauged by publications, citations, impact on subsequent research, or contributions to public discourse and policy analysis.
How did the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition process impact the final price and the range of potential research approaches considered?
The 'exclusion of sources' clause in a 'full and open' competition suggests that while the competition was generally open, certain entities or types of entities were specifically excluded. This could limit the diversity of research methodologies and perspectives brought to bear on the problem. The impact on price is uncertain; exclusion might reduce competition and potentially increase costs, or it might be justified by specific technical requirements that only certain excluded entities could meet.
Given the 8-year duration, what mechanisms are in place to ensure the research remains relevant and effective amidst evolving societal needs and academic advancements?
Long-term research contracts typically include provisions for periodic reviews, milestone-based funding, and flexibility to adapt research objectives based on emerging findings or changing priorities. The Department of the Army's oversight would be crucial in ensuring the consortium regularly reports on progress, justifies continued funding, and demonstrates the ongoing relevance and effectiveness of the research activities.
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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1 DUPONT CIR NW STE 200, WASHINGTON, DC, 98
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,890,769
Exercised Options: $23,416,453
Current Obligation: $14,186,748
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-03-26
Current End Date: 2011-07-31
Potential End Date: 2011-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2011-03-24
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)