DoD's $248M R&D Contract with Carnegie Mellon University: A Deep Dive into Advanced Tech Development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $248,163,797 ($248.2M)
Contractor: Carnegie Mellon University
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2000-06-16
End Date: 2005-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,840 days
Daily Burn Rate: $134.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: 200012!5700!000063!GV58 !ESC/DIK !F1962800C0003 !A!*!* !20000616!20050630!052184116!052184116!052184116!N!97668!CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY (IN!5000 FORBES AVE !PITTSBURGH !PA!15213!61000!003!42!PITTSBURGH !ALLEGHENY !PENN !0001!+000011775000!N!N!000000000000!AZ13!RDTE/OTHER RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT-ADV TECH DEV !S1 !SERVICES !3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !8731!3!C!S!*!B!N!Z!C !N!S!1!001!N!1B!Z!N!D!* !* !N!Z!*!*!*!A!A!A!A!* !*!N!A!C!N!*!*!*!*!*!
Place of Performance
Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15213
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $248.2 million to CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY for work described as: 200012!5700!000063!GV58 !ESC/DIK !F1962800C0003 !A!*!* !20000616!20050630!052184116!052184116!052184116!N!97668!CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY (IN!5000 FORBES AVE !PITTSBURGH !PA!15213!61000!003!42!PITTSBURGH !ALL… Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced technology development by the Department of Defense. 2. Carnegie Mellon University, a strong research institution, is the sole awardee. 3. Potential for high-impact technological advancements, but oversight is crucial. 4. Focus on Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $248,163,797 over five years is substantial. Without specific deliverables or benchmarks, assessing its value for money is difficult. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is challenging due to the specialized nature of advanced technology development.
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. However, the specific selection criteria and evaluation of proposals are not detailed, making it hard to fully assess the competitive impact on pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting advanced research with potential long-term benefits, but the return on investment is not immediately quantifiable.
Public Impact
Advancement of cutting-edge technologies with potential national security implications. Support for academic research institutions contributing to innovation. Potential for spin-off technologies benefiting the commercial sector. Long-term economic and technological growth driven by R&D investment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics for R&D outcomes.
- Potential for cost overruns in advanced research projects.
- Difficulty in measuring direct return on investment for taxpayer funds.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institution.
- Significant investment in a critical R&D area.
- Potential for groundbreaking technological advancements.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) sector, specifically focusing on advanced technology development. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining technological superiority but often involves high risk and long lead times.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Carnegie Mellon University, a large research institution. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight of R&D contracts can be challenging due to the inherent uncertainties in research. The Department of Defense likely has internal review processes, but the effectiveness of oversight in ensuring value for money and timely progress is not detailed.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- High contract value.
- Long contract duration (5 years).
- Focus on advanced, potentially high-risk R&D.
- Sole awardee, though competition was full and open.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data.
Tags
department-of-defense, pa, dca, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $248.2 million to CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY. 200012!5700!000063!GV58 !ESC/DIK !F1962800C0003 !A!*!* !20000616!20050630!052184116!052184116!052184116!N!97668!CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY (IN!5000 FORBES AVE !PITTSBURGH !PA!15213!61000!003!42!PITTSBURGH !ALLEGHENY !PENN !0001!+000011775000!N!N!000000000000!AZ13!RDTE/OTHER RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT-ADV TECH DEV !S1 !SERVICES !3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !8731!3!C!S!*!B!N!Z!C !N!S!
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $248.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2000-06-16. End: 2005-06-30.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this $248M R&D contract, and how will their success be measured?
The contract focuses on 'RDTE/OTHER RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT-ADV TECH DEV'. Specific advancements are not detailed in the provided data. Success measurement in R&D is often qualitative, focusing on milestones, prototypes, and feasibility studies rather than immediate commercial viability. Detailed project plans and interim reports would be necessary to assess progress against expected outcomes.
Given the long-term nature of R&D, what are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include research failure, technological obsolescence, cost overruns, and the potential for the developed technology to not meet evolving requirements. Mitigation strategies might involve phased funding, regular technical reviews, flexible contract modifications, and strong project management by both the government and the contractor. The 'COST NO FEE' designation suggests the contractor bears some financial risk.
How does this contract contribute to the Department of Defense's overall technological superiority and long-term strategic goals?
This contract aims to foster innovation in advanced technologies, which is crucial for maintaining a strategic advantage. By investing in cutting-edge R&D, the DoD seeks to develop next-generation capabilities that can address future threats and operational challenges. The specific contribution depends on the nature of the 'ADV TECH DEV' and its alignment with DoD's strategic priorities.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 5000 FORBES AVE, PITTSBURGH, PA, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2000-06-16
Current End Date: 2005-06-30
Potential End Date: 2005-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2009-04-17
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