DoD's $33.9M R&D Contract for Threat Assessment Solutions Awarded to Edaptive Computing Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,884,031 ($33.9M)

Contractor: Edaptive Computing Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-12-13

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,118 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SOLUTIONS FOR THREAT ASSESSMENT, MITIGATION, AND PREVENTION

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, MONTGOMERY County, OHIO, 45458

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $33.9 million to EDAPTIVE COMPUTING INC for work described as: SOLUTIONS FOR THREAT ASSESSMENT, MITIGATION, AND PREVENTION Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Significant investment in threat assessment, mitigation, and prevention capabilities. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad market search. 4. Contract duration extends over multiple fiscal years, suggesting a long-term need. 5. Research and Development (R&D) focus implies innovation and future capability development. 6. The contract's value is substantial within the R&D sector for this specific NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this R&D contract is challenging due to its specialized nature and the inherent uncertainties in research outcomes. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring of costs to ensure efficiency. Without specific performance metrics or comparable R&D projects, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the duration and scope suggest a significant investment in critical defense capabilities.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' which typically means it was initially competed broadly, but specific sources were later excluded. This suggests a competitive process was initiated, but the final award might have involved a limited pool. The number of bidders and the rationale for excluding sources would provide more clarity on the extent of competition and its impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A broad initial competition is generally favorable for taxpayers, as it aims to solicit the best technical solutions at competitive prices. However, the exclusion of sources warrants scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition and potentially increase costs.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from advancements in threat assessment and mitigation technologies. This contract supports the development of innovative solutions to enhance national security. The research conducted could lead to improved operational capabilities for military personnel. Workforce implications include potential employment for scientists, engineers, and researchers in specialized fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The CPFF contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
The exclusion of sources in the competition process needs further investigation to ensure fairness and optimal pricing.
R&D contracts inherently carry a risk of not achieving desired outcomes within budget or timeline.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a wide search for qualified contractors.
The contract addresses critical national security needs related to threat assessment.
Long contract duration allows for sustained research and development efforts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715, which covers physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D. This is a highly specialized area where innovation drives advancements in defense capabilities. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining technological superiority. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale R&D efforts within the DoD or other federal agencies focused on similar scientific domains.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. The contract's substantial value and specialized R&D nature suggest it may be less conducive to small business participation as prime contractors, though they could potentially be involved as subcontractors. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Air Force, a component of the Department of Defense. Mechanisms likely include regular progress reviews, financial audits, and technical performance evaluations. The Inspector General's office within the DoD would have jurisdiction for investigating fraud, waste, and abuse. Transparency would depend on the agency's reporting practices for R&D contracts.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Advanced Threat Detection Systems
National Security Technology Innovation
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF Contract Type)
R&D Outcome Uncertainty
Competition Level Nuances (Exclusion of Sources)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $33.9 million to EDAPTIVE COMPUTING INC. SOLUTIONS FOR THREAT ASSESSMENT, MITIGATION, AND PREVENTION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EDAPTIVE COMPUTING 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 $33.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-12-13. End: 2025-09-30.

What is Edaptive Computing Inc.'s track record with similar R&D contracts for the Department of Defense?

Edaptive Computing Inc. has a history of performing research and development services for the Department of Defense. Analyzing their past performance on contracts with similar objectives, such as threat assessment, mitigation, or prevention, is crucial. This includes reviewing their success in meeting technical milestones, managing budgets, and delivering innovative solutions. Information on past contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any past performance issues would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability for this current R&D effort. A review of their portfolio of work and client testimonials can further illuminate their expertise in specialized R&D areas.

How does the $33.9 million contract value compare to other R&D investments in threat assessment technologies?

The $33.9 million contract value represents a significant investment in threat assessment, mitigation, and prevention R&D. To benchmark this value, one would compare it against the typical scale of R&D contracts awarded by the DoD or other agencies for similar technological advancements. Factors such as the contract duration (2118 days), the specific research objectives, and the complexity of the required solutions influence the overall cost. Analyzing historical spending data for R&D in defense intelligence and security technologies can provide context. If this contract is for foundational research, its value might be typical; if it's for developing a specific deployable system, it might be on the higher or lower end depending on the system's scope and maturity.

What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) R&D contract?

The primary risks associated with this CPFF R&D contract include potential cost overruns and the inherent uncertainty of research outcomes. With CPFF contracts, the government agrees to pay the contractor's allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. If the contractor's costs exceed initial estimates, the government bears the burden, potentially leading to higher-than-anticipated spending. Furthermore, R&D projects are inherently unpredictable; the desired technological breakthroughs may not materialize, or they might take longer and cost more than planned. Effective oversight, stringent cost controls, and clear performance metrics are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives value for its investment.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the Department of Defense's future threat assessment capabilities?

This contract is expected to significantly enhance the Department of Defense's future threat assessment capabilities by fostering innovation in identifying, analyzing, and countering emerging threats. The R&D focus suggests the development of novel methodologies, tools, or systems that could provide a more comprehensive understanding of adversary actions and intentions. Successful outcomes could lead to more proactive defense strategies, improved intelligence gathering, and the development of advanced mitigation techniques. Ultimately, this investment aims to bolster national security by equipping the DoD with cutting-edge technologies to address complex and evolving security challenges.

How has federal spending in R&D for defense-related threat assessment evolved over the past five years?

Federal spending in R&D for defense-related threat assessment has likely seen a steady increase over the past five years, driven by geopolitical shifts and the emergence of new security challenges. Agencies like the Department of Defense consistently allocate substantial resources to research and development aimed at maintaining technological superiority and countering evolving threats. This includes investments in areas such as artificial intelligence for threat detection, advanced sensor technologies, cybersecurity research, and counter-terrorism methodologies. Analyzing budget requests, enacted appropriations, and contract award data within relevant NAICS codes and defense research categories would reveal trends in funding levels, focus areas, and the overall growth trajectory of this critical R&D domain.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1315 LYONS ROAD, CENTERVILLE, OH, 45458

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,473,600

Exercised Options: $44,473,600

Current Obligation: $33,884,031

Actual Outlays: $163,235

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 11

Total Subaward Amount: $4,600,190

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA865018D1612

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline