Commerce Dept. Awards $22.8M Cyber-Security R&D Contract to MITRE Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,884,080 ($22.9M)
Contractor: THE Mitre Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2016-09-22
End Date: 2019-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,102 days
Daily Burn Rate: $20.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF FOR OTHER FUNCTIONS CYBER-SECURITY RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $22.9 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF FOR OTHER FUNCTIONS CYBER-SECURITY RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. MITRE Corporation, a well-known R&D organization, is the sole awardee. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can pose cost control risks. 4. Spending falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically cyber-security.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure can lead to higher costs if not closely managed. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad solicitation. However, the specific awardee is MITRE Corporation, suggesting they were the most competitive bidder.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical cyber-security research, aiming to improve national security and technological infrastructure.
Public Impact
Enhances national cyber-security capabilities through dedicated research. Supports innovation in cyber-security technologies and methodologies. Leverages expertise of a specialized R&D organization for critical government needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize cost overruns.
- Limited visibility into specific cost drivers without detailed reporting.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Addresses a critical national security need (cyber-security).
- Utilizes a reputable R&D organization (MITRE).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on cyber-security. Spending in this area is crucial for national defense and technological advancement, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded to The MITRE Corporation, a large, non-profit research organization. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) within the Department of Commerce. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure cost efficiency and adherence to project goals.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Potential for cost overruns.
- Limited insight into specific project deliverables and success metrics.
- No small business set-aside.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-commerce, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $22.9 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF FOR OTHER FUNCTIONS CYBER-SECURITY RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE MITRE CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Institute of Standards and Technology).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $22.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2016-09-22. End: 2019-09-29.
What specific cyber-security challenges is this project intended to address, and how will success be measured?
The contract details are broad, focusing on 'Cyber-Security Research Project Management Support Services.' Specific challenges and success metrics would likely be defined in detailed statements of work and performance reports. Without these, it's difficult to assess the precise value or effectiveness beyond the general aim of advancing cyber-security.
What are the potential risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type in this R&D context?
The primary risk of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts. Since the government pays the actual costs plus a fixed fee, there's a potential for cost overruns if the government's oversight is not rigorous. For R&D, this can be exacerbated by the inherent uncertainties in research outcomes.
How does MITRE Corporation's unique position as a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) influence the effectiveness and cost of this contract?
MITRE, as an FFRDC, operates in the public interest with unique access to government and industry data. This can lead to highly effective research and objective analysis. However, their specialized nature and established relationships might also influence competition dynamics and potentially lead to higher per-unit costs compared to commercial entities, though this is often balanced by their expertise and mission focus.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: SB1341-16-RP-0034
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7515 COLSHIRE DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102
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: $22,884,080
Exercised Options: $22,884,080
Current Obligation: $22,884,080
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 4
Total Subaward Amount: $559,156
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DOCSB134114CQ0010
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2016-09-22
Current End Date: 2019-09-29
Potential End Date: 2019-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-06-04
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