Air Force awards $9.86M R&D contract for energetic materials to University of Dayton

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,666,095 ($7.7M)

Contractor: University of Dayton

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-07-24

End Date: 2027-07-23

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: DEVELOPMENT ENERGETIC MATERIALS (HERD) THIS TIME AND MATERIAL TASK ORDER HAS A CEILING NOT TO EXCEED $9,864, 889 IF ADDITIONAL FUNDS COME AVAILABLE.

Place of Performance

Location: EGLIN AFB, OKALOOSA County, FLORIDA, 32542

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $7.7 million to UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON for work described as: DEVELOPMENT ENERGETIC MATERIALS (HERD) THIS TIME AND MATERIAL TASK ORDER HAS A CEILING NOT TO EXCEED $9,864, 889 IF ADDITIONAL FUNDS COME AVAILABLE. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. University of Dayton selected through full and open competition. 3. Contract duration is approximately three years, ending July 2027. 4. This is a time and materials contract with a ceiling value. 5. The contract is for a specific task order under a larger agreement. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541715.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract ceiling is $9.86 million, with $7.67 million obligated. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in energetic materials is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work. However, the time and materials pricing structure allows for flexibility, which can be cost-effective for research projects where the exact effort is not fully defined upfront. The obligated amount represents a significant portion of the ceiling, suggesting a committed effort.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this competitive approach generally fosters price discovery and encourages contractors to offer competitive terms. The selection of the University of Dayton suggests they presented the most advantageous offer based on the evaluation criteria.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it typically leads to better pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions being considered, maximizing the value of federal investment.

Public Impact

The University of Dayton, a research institution, will benefit from this funding to advance its capabilities in energetic materials. The contract supports research and development activities, potentially leading to advancements in defense technologies. The geographic impact is primarily in Florida, where the contract will be performed. This contract may support specialized research personnel and technical staff within the University of Dayton.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and materials contracts can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The specific deliverables and performance metrics are not detailed, posing a potential risk to ensuring successful outcomes.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
The University of Dayton is a known research institution with expertise in relevant fields.
The contract has a clear ceiling and obligated amount, providing some financial clarity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for energetic materials research is specialized, often driven by defense and aerospace applications. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the energetic materials being developed and their intended applications, but R&D contracts of this size are common within the Department of Defense's research initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As it is a research and development task order awarded to a university, the focus is likely on specialized expertise rather than broad subcontracting opportunities for small businesses, unless specific research components require it.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance requirements and deliverables outlined in the task order. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific research details may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Air Force Materials Science Research
Energetic Materials Research Initiatives

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Scope definition and deliverable clarity may be limited in R&D contracts.
Reliance on a single academic institution for specialized research.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $7.7 million to UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON. DEVELOPMENT ENERGETIC MATERIALS (HERD) THIS TIME AND MATERIAL TASK ORDER HAS A CEILING NOT TO EXCEED $9,864, 889 IF ADDITIONAL FUNDS COME AVAILABLE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON.

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 $7.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-24. End: 2027-07-23.

What is the University of Dayton's track record with federal contracts, particularly in R&D for energetic materials?

The University of Dayton has a significant history of engaging in research and development activities funded by federal agencies, including the Department of Defense. While specific details on their past performance with energetic materials contracts are not provided in this data snippet, their selection for this task order suggests they possess the requisite expertise and capabilities. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance reviews, and any prior work in this specific niche would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record. Federal procurement data systems often contain information on awarded contracts, payment history, and contractor performance assessments that could illuminate their experience.

How does the $9.86 million ceiling compare to similar R&D contracts for energetic materials?

The $9.86 million ceiling for this time and materials contract with the University of Dayton is a moderate figure for specialized R&D in energetic materials. Contracts in this domain can vary widely in value, from smaller, focused research grants to multi-year, multi-million dollar programs. Factors influencing cost include the novelty of the materials, the complexity of the research, the required testing, and the duration of the development cycle. Without knowing the specific scope of work, it's difficult to provide a precise benchmark. However, this ceiling suggests a substantial, but not exceptionally large, research effort, likely focused on specific material properties or applications rather than broad foundational research.

What are the primary risks associated with a time and materials contract for R&D in energetic materials?

Time and materials (T&M) contracts, while offering flexibility for R&D where scope can evolve, carry inherent risks. For energetic materials, a key risk is cost escalation; if research efforts are prolonged or encounter unforeseen technical challenges, the total cost can exceed initial projections, especially if labor rates or material costs increase. Another risk is ensuring the contractor maintains efficiency and productivity, as T&M contracts can incentivize longer task durations. Furthermore, defining clear performance metrics and deliverables can be more challenging with T&M, potentially leading to disputes over the value received. Robust oversight and detailed progress reporting are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the expected program effectiveness or outcome of this contract?

The expected program effectiveness of this contract is to advance the research and development of energetic materials. While the specific outcomes are not detailed, such contracts typically aim to improve material properties (e.g., stability, energy density, safety), develop new synthesis methods, or explore novel applications for these materials, likely within the defense sector. The success will be measured by the University of Dayton's ability to meet the research objectives, deliver findings, and potentially develop prototypes or new material formulations as specified in the task order. The ultimate impact could be enhanced capabilities for defense systems or improved safety in handling energetic substances.

What are historical spending patterns for R&D in energetic materials by the Department of the Air Force?

Historical spending patterns for R&D in energetic materials by the Department of the Air Force are generally substantial, reflecting the critical role these materials play in national security and defense capabilities. The Air Force, along with other branches of the DoD, consistently invests in research to enhance propulsion systems, explosives, and other applications. Spending can fluctuate based on strategic priorities, technological advancements, and specific program needs. While this specific $9.86 million contract is a single data point, it aligns with the broader trend of significant, ongoing investment in this specialized scientific field. Detailed historical data would reveal trends in funding levels, key research areas, and primary research institutions or contractors receiving these funds.

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: BASIC RESEARCH

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 COLLEGE PARK, DAYTON, OH, 45469

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,666,095

Exercised Options: $7,666,095

Current Obligation: $7,666,095

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA865120D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline