DoD's $18M R&D Contract Awarded to Mississippi Polymer Technologies, Inc. in 2003

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,030,001 ($18.0M)

Contractor: Mississippi Polymer Technologies, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2003-06-10

End Date: 2004-10-13

Contract Duration: 491 days

Daily Burn Rate: $36.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Place of Performance

Location: BAY SAINT LOUIS, HANCOCK County, MISSISSIPPI, 39520

State: Mississippi Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $18.0 million to MISSISSIPPI POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES, INC for work described as: Key points: 1. Awarded for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Contract was not competed, raising questions about price discovery. 3. The contract value is $18,030,001. 4. The period of performance was 491 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the fixed fee represents fair value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may have resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a competitive process.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may have paid more due to the absence of competition. The specific R&D outcomes and their public benefit are not detailed. Long-term impact of this specific R&D investment is unclear without further information.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Cost-plus contract type
Limited transparency on R&D outcomes

Positive Signals

Specific R&D focus
Awarded to a company in Mississippi

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation but requires careful oversight to ensure value for money.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if Mississippi Polymer Technologies, Inc. is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The lack of competition and the cost-plus contract type suggest a need for robust oversight to ensure the contractor is delivering value and managing costs effectively.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Cost-plus contract type
Limited transparency on R&D outcomes
Potential for cost overruns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $18.0 million to MISSISSIPPI POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MISSISSIPPI POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

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 $18.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-06-10. End: 2004-10-13.

What specific research and development was conducted under this contract, and what were the tangible outcomes or benefits to the Department of Defense or the public?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the research and development activities or their outcomes. Further investigation into contract details and final reports would be necessary to ascertain the tangible benefits and their impact. Without this information, it's challenging to assess the true value delivered beyond the financial transaction.

Given the sole-source nature of this award, how was the 'fixed fee' component determined to ensure it was fair and reasonable, and what mechanisms were in place to control costs?

The determination of a fair and reasonable fixed fee in a sole-source, cost-plus contract typically involves detailed cost analysis by the contracting agency, benchmarking against similar services, and negotiation. However, without competitive proposals, the agency's analysis is critical. Robust oversight and auditing are essential to monitor costs and prevent potential overruns or excessive profit.

What is the long-term strategic importance or application of the R&D performed by Mississippi Polymer Technologies, Inc. under this contract for the Department of Defense?

The strategic importance and long-term applications of the R&D are not detailed in the provided data. Understanding the specific technological advancements or solutions developed is crucial to assessing its contribution to the DoD's mission readiness, future capabilities, or potential dual-use applications. This information is typically found in technical reports or program reviews.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › ECONOMIC GROWTH/PRODUCTIVITY R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13233 WEBRE ROAD, BAY SAINT LOUI, MS

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline