DoD Awards $20.6M for Research Gateway Software Licenses to Craft Machine Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,573,606 ($20.6M)
Contractor: Craft Machine Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-03-15
End Date: 2026-09-18
Contract Duration: 917 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: SOFTWARE LICENSES FOR DEVELOP, TESTING AND EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS INFORMATION GATEWAY
Place of Performance
Location: SAN FRANCISCO, SAN FRANCISCO County, CALIFORNIA, 94104
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $20.6 million to CRAFT MACHINE INC. for work described as: SOFTWARE LICENSES FOR DEVELOP, TESTING AND EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS INFORMATION GATEWAY Key points: 1. Significant investment in a research and analysis information gateway. 2. Competition method is 'Full and Open', suggesting broad market engagement. 3. Contract type is 'Definitive Contract' with a fixed price, indicating cost certainty. 4. Sector is Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, crucial for data-driven insights.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The $20.6 million award for software licenses appears reasonable given the contract duration of over 900 days. Benchmarking against similar large-scale software procurement for research platforms would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The 'Full and Open Competition' method is positive, allowing any qualified vendor to bid, which typically drives competitive pricing. The 'Definitive Contract' with 'Firm Fixed Price' further enhances price predictability.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure the best value for essential research software.
Public Impact
Enhances access to critical research and analysis information for the Air Force. Supports advanced development and testing capabilities for scientific endeavors. Potential for improved decision-making through better data accessibility and tools.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration is substantial, requiring ongoing monitoring for scope creep.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract offers cost control.
- Full and Open Competition promotes market fairness.
- Clear end dates for contract performance.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, which is vital for government research and development. Spending in this area often supports innovation and data analysis capabilities.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or achieved through subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a Definitive Contract with a Firm Fixed Price suggests a structured approach to oversight. However, ongoing monitoring of performance and deliverables will be key to ensuring accountability.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in with commercial software.
- Long contract duration may outpace technological advancements.
- Need for clear performance metrics to ensure value.
- Limited visibility into specific functionalities and user impact.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, ca, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $20.6 million to CRAFT MACHINE INC.. SOFTWARE LICENSES FOR DEVELOP, TESTING AND EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS INFORMATION GATEWAY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CRAFT MACHINE 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 $20.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-03-15. End: 2026-09-18.
What specific research and analysis capabilities will this gateway provide, and how do they align with current Air Force priorities?
The gateway is intended for the development, testing, and evaluation of commercial research and analysis information. Its alignment with Air Force priorities would likely involve providing enhanced data access, analytical tools, and collaboration platforms for scientific and operational intelligence, supporting informed decision-making and strategic planning.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract to ensure effective delivery of the research gateway?
Key performance indicators would typically include metrics related to system uptime, data accessibility, response times for analytical queries, user satisfaction, and the successful integration of new features or data sources. Specific KPIs should be defined in the contract's Statement of Work to objectively measure the vendor's performance and the system's effectiveness.
How will the effectiveness of the 'Commercial Research and Analysis Information Gateway' be measured post-implementation to justify the $20.6 million investment?
Effectiveness will be measured by assessing improvements in research turnaround times, the quality and accuracy of analyses produced, the number of users actively utilizing the gateway, and its contribution to achieving specific Air Force research objectives. Post-implementation reviews and user feedback surveys will be crucial in quantifying the return on investment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: TWO STEP
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 564 MARKET ST STE 255, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94104
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,573,606
Exercised Options: $20,573,606
Current Obligation: $20,573,606
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-03-15
Current End Date: 2026-09-18
Potential End Date: 2026-09-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-18
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