DoD's $6.98M Contract for Mongolian Array O&M and R&D Support Awarded to Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,981,374 ($7.0M)
Contractor: Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-11-01
End Date: 2026-10-31
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF MONGOLIAN ARRAYS AND SUPPORT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES.
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $7.0 million to INSTITUTE OF ASTRONOMY AND GEOPHYSICS for work described as: OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF MONGOLIAN ARRAYS AND SUPPORT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential operations and maintenance for Mongolian arrays, alongside crucial research and development. 2. Competition is explicitly noted as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', raising questions about price discovery. 3. The primary risk lies in the lack of competitive bidding, potentially leading to inflated costs. 4. The sector involves specialized engineering services, likely with limited market participants.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value is $6.98 million over five years. Without available pricing data or benchmarks for similar array maintenance and R&D contracts, it's difficult to assess if this represents fair value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. This lack of robust competition limits the government's ability to secure the best possible price through market forces.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competitive bidding may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these specialized services.
Public Impact
Essential scientific infrastructure in Mongolia will continue to be maintained and supported. Research and development activities in astronomy and geophysics will receive funding. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition impacts taxpayer funds. The specific nature of the work may limit public understanding and oversight.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of Competition
- Limited Transparency
- Potential for Cost Overruns
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D
- Ensures operational continuity
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Engineering Services, specifically related to specialized scientific infrastructure maintenance and R&D. Spending in this niche area is often project-specific and can be subject to limited competition due to required expertise.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. The nature of the specialized services may not lend itself to small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of the Air Force. Oversight will be crucial to ensure the contractor delivers on the O&M and R&D requirements effectively and that costs remain justified, especially given the limited competition.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding may lead to higher costs.
- Potential for reduced innovation due to limited market engagement.
- Oversight needed to ensure value for money in a sole-source scenario.
- Transparency regarding R&D objectives and outcomes is limited.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $7.0 million to INSTITUTE OF ASTRONOMY AND GEOPHYSICS. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF MONGOLIAN ARRAYS AND SUPPORT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INSTITUTE OF ASTRONOMY AND GEOPHYSICS.
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 $7.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-11-01. End: 2026-10-31.
What specific R&D studies are being supported, and what is the expected scientific or strategic value derived from them?
The data provided does not specify the nature of the research and development studies. Further inquiry would be needed to understand the specific scientific objectives, methodologies, and anticipated outcomes. Assessing the value requires understanding the potential breakthroughs, technological advancements, or strategic insights these studies aim to achieve for the Department of Defense.
Given the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status, what justification was provided for limiting the bidding process, and how was the contractor selected?
The justification for limiting competition is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such designations require a formal justification, such as the existence of a unique capability, urgent need, or specific national security requirements that only one source can fulfill. Understanding this justification is key to evaluating the necessity of the sole-source award.
How will the effectiveness of the 'OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF MONGOLIAN ARRAYS' be measured, and what are the key performance indicators?
The provided data does not outline specific metrics for measuring the effectiveness of operations and maintenance. Key performance indicators (KPIs) should be established to track system uptime, response times for maintenance, equipment reliability, and overall operational readiness of the Mongolian arrays. Regular performance reviews against these KPIs are essential for accountability.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: FA702221R0006
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: MAAHUUR TOLGOI, 7TH BUILDING OF MAS, ULAANBAATAR
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,896,662
Exercised Options: $7,233,456
Current Obligation: $6,981,374
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-11-01
Current End Date: 2026-10-31
Potential End Date: 2031-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-05
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