DoD awards Battelle Memorial Institute $13.1M for Airfield Protection and Resiliency Research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,126,116 ($13.1M)

Contractor: Battelle Memorial Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-06-17

End Date: 2029-06-16

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: AIRBASE TECHNOLOGIES II: AIRFIELD PROTECTION, INSTALLATION RESILIENCY, AND BLAST (APIRB)

Place of Performance

Location: PANAMA CITY, BAY County, FLORIDA, 32403

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $13.1 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE for work described as: AIRBASE TECHNOLOGIES II: AIRFIELD PROTECTION, INSTALLATION RESILIENCY, AND BLAST (APIRB) Key points: 1. Research and Development focused on physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Battelle Memorial Institute, a well-established research organization, is the contractor. 3. The contract is for Airfield Protection, Installation Resiliency, and Blast (APIRB) capabilities. 4. This falls under the broader category of Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract is a delivery order under a larger IDIQ, making direct pricing comparison difficult. However, the total award amount of $13.1M over 5 years suggests a moderate annual spend for specialized R&D.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method is generally expected to yield fair market prices for the services rendered.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced research to enhance military installation security and operational resilience, aiming for long-term strategic benefits.

Public Impact

Enhances the security and survivability of critical Air Force installations. Invests in advanced technologies to counter potential threats to airfields. Supports innovation in engineering and physical sciences for defense applications. Aims to improve the overall resilience of military infrastructure against various hazards.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Potential for scope creep in long-term R&D projects.
  • Dependence on a single contractor for specialized research.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded through full and open competition.
  • Focus on critical national security needs.
  • Long-term contract duration allows for sustained research and development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541712. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and addressing evolving threats, with significant government investment annually.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, and there is no specific indication of small business participation in this particular delivery order. Future opportunities may arise for small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

As a delivery order under a larger IDIQ, oversight is likely managed by the contracting activity within the Department of the Air Force. The long duration suggests ongoing monitoring of research progress and deliverables.

Related Government Programs

  • Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for research to not yield desired outcomes.
  • Risk of technological advancements becoming obsolete.
  • Dependency on contractor's specialized expertise.
  • Long-term nature may lead to evolving requirements.

Tags

research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, fl, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $13.1 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE. AIRBASE TECHNOLOGIES II: AIRFIELD PROTECTION, INSTALLATION RESILIENCY, AND BLAST (APIRB)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE.

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 $13.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-17. End: 2029-06-16.

What is the expected return on investment for this research in terms of improved airfield security and reduced damage?

Quantifying the precise ROI for R&D is challenging, as benefits often accrue over the long term through technological advancements and threat mitigation. However, improved airfield protection can prevent costly repairs, minimize operational downtime, and safeguard personnel, leading to significant indirect cost savings and enhanced mission readiness.

What are the primary risks associated with the long-term research and development nature of this contract?

Key risks include the potential for research to yield inconclusive results, technological obsolescence before deployment, and the possibility of cost overruns if research paths become complex or require unforeseen resources. Ensuring clear milestones and adaptive management strategies are crucial to mitigate these R&D-specific risks.

How effectively will the research conducted under this contract translate into practical, deployable solutions for the Air Force?

The effectiveness hinges on strong collaboration between Battelle and the Air Force, clear definition of requirements, and rigorous testing phases. Regular reviews and feedback loops will be essential to ensure the research remains aligned with operational needs and can be practically integrated into existing or future airfield protection systems.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTGeneral Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 505 KING AVE, COLUMBUS, OH, 43201

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $40,855,458

Exercised Options: $40,855,458

Current Obligation: $13,126,116

Actual Outlays: $295,913

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $376,402

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU402

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2024-06-17

Current End Date: 2029-06-16

Potential End Date: 2029-06-16 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-10-29

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