DoD awards $17.4M for CCDC CBC research, facing limited competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,425,749 ($17.4M)
Contractor: Leidos, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-01-04
End Date: 2026-09-03
Contract Duration: 2,068 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TECHNICAL, ANALYTICAL, AND LOGISTICS RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENTS FOR THE COMBAT CAPABILITIES DEVELOPMENT COMMAND CHEMICAL BIO CENTER RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE CB PROTECTION AND DECON DIVISION DECON SCIENCES AND CBR FILTRATION BRANCHES
Place of Performance
Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $17.4 million to LEIDOS, INC. for work described as: TECHNICAL, ANALYTICAL, AND LOGISTICS RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENTS FOR THE COMBAT CAPABILITIES DEVELOPMENT COMMAND CHEMICAL BIO CENTER RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE CB PROTECTION AND DECON DIVISION DECON SCIENCES AND CBR FILTRATION BRANCHES Key points: 1. The contract focuses on critical chemical, biological, and radiological defense research. 2. Leidos, Inc. is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The duration and cost-plus-fixed-fee structure warrant scrutiny for value. 4. This falls under R&D for physical and engineering sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while common for R&D, can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking against similar CPFF contracts for specialized research is difficult without more granular data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Although advertised as full and open, the award went to a single entity, Leidos, Inc. This suggests potential issues with market research or the specific requirements that may have limited the number of capable bidders.
Taxpayer Impact: The impact on taxpayers is uncertain due to the lack of competitive pricing. The government may not have secured the best possible price without broader participation.
Public Impact
Enhances national security through advanced chemical and biological defense research. Supports critical R&D efforts for the CCDC Chemical Biological Center. Potential for technological advancements in protection and decontamination. Ensures readiness against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition despite full and open solicitation.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type risks cost escalation.
- Sole awardee may indicate market concentration or specialized barriers.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical national security needs.
- Supports vital research for chemical and biological defense.
- Long-term contract provides stable support for research.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and national security, but often involves higher risk and less predictable outcomes compared to procurement of established goods.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, Leidos, Inc., is a large corporation. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Air Force awarded this delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. Oversight would typically involve program managers ensuring milestones are met and costs are controlled, but the limited competition raises questions about the effectiveness of initial oversight in fostering a competitive environment.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of demonstrated competition.
- Potential for cost overruns in CPFF contract.
- Sole awardee raises concerns about market dynamics.
- Limited transparency on specific R&D outcomes.
- No small business participation noted.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $17.4 million to LEIDOS, INC.. TECHNICAL, ANALYTICAL, AND LOGISTICS RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENTS FOR THE COMBAT CAPABILITIES DEVELOPMENT COMMAND CHEMICAL BIO CENTER RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE CB PROTECTION AND DECON DIVISION DECON SCIENCES AND CBR FILTRATION BRANCHES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LEIDOS, 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 $17.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-01-04. End: 2026-09-03.
What specific factors led to only one bidder, Leidos, Inc., submitting a responsive proposal despite a full and open solicitation?
Further investigation into the solicitation's technical requirements, evaluation criteria, and market research conducted by the agency is needed. It's possible the specialized nature of the research, stringent qualification requirements, or the contract vehicle itself inadvertently limited the pool of eligible and competitive bidders, despite the initial intent for broad competition.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure ensure cost efficiency for this specialized R&D, and what controls are in place?
CPFF contracts provide flexibility for R&D where costs are uncertain, but they require robust oversight to prevent overruns. The agency must closely monitor direct and indirect costs, labor hours, and material expenditures against the fixed fee. Performance metrics and regular audits are essential to ensure the contractor remains incentivized to control costs while achieving research objectives.
What is the long-term strategic value of this research, and how does it align with evolving threats in chemical and biological defense?
This research directly supports the CCDC CBC's mission to protect against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. Its value lies in developing advanced materials, detection methods, and decontamination strategies. The effectiveness will be measured by the successful transition of research findings into deployable technologies that enhance warfighter safety and national security against emerging and persistent threats.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc.
Address: 1750 PRESIDENTS ST, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,629,890
Exercised Options: $25,629,890
Current Obligation: $17,425,749
Actual Outlays: $2,885,723
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 38
Total Subaward Amount: $5,598,051
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA807518D0009
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-01-04
Current End Date: 2026-09-03
Potential End Date: 2026-09-03 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-06
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