DoD awards $2.28M R&D contract for compartmentalization architecture, with a 27-month performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,277,774 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Charles River Analytics, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-03-07

End Date: 2028-05-07

Contract Duration: 1,522 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 27

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: COMPARTMENTALIZATION ARCHITECTURE USING COMMODITY HARDWARE FOR ENFORCEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02138

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.3 million to CHARLES RIVER ANALYTICS, INC. for work described as: COMPARTMENTALIZATION ARCHITECTURE USING COMMODITY HARDWARE FOR ENFORCEMENT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced research and development in physical and engineering sciences. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type may lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. Performance period of over two years allows for substantial development and testing. 5. The contract is categorized under R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 6. The awardee, Charles River Analytics, Inc., has a track record in similar R&D efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.28 million for a 27-month R&D effort appears moderate. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in the physical and engineering sciences is challenging without more specific details on the technical scope. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates close monitoring to ensure value for money, as it incentivizes cost incurrence. However, the fixed fee component provides some cost certainty for the contractor's effort.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 27 bids suggests a robust level of interest and competition for this R&D requirement. A higher number of bidders generally contributes to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value and technological solutions at a reasonable cost. The wide range of bids provides a strong basis for negotiation and ensures that the selected contractor's pricing is market-aligned.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and its research arms, seeking advancements in compartmentalization architecture. The contract will deliver research and development services, potentially leading to new technologies for enforcement applications. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, where the research and development activities will take place. Workforce implications include specialized roles for scientists, engineers, and researchers involved in the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can sometimes lead to higher final costs than fixed-price contracts if not managed diligently.
The complexity of R&D projects inherently carries risks of unforeseen technical challenges and schedule delays.
Ensuring the developed architecture meets the specific enforcement needs will be critical for program success.

Positive Signals

Award under full and open competition suggests a strong market response and potential for innovative solutions.
The contractor, Charles River Analytics, Inc., has experience in R&D, indicating a capable awardee.
A defined performance period allows for structured development and progress tracking.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for R&D services supporting defense applications is substantial, with significant government investment. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other DoD contracts for advanced technology development, particularly in areas related to secure architectures and specialized hardware.

Small Business Impact

The contract data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Given the nature of advanced R&D, it is possible that subcontracting opportunities may arise for specialized small businesses with unique expertise. However, without explicit set-aside goals, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not guaranteed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures will be tied to milestones and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency will depend on the agency's reporting practices for R&D contracts and any public disclosures made regarding the project's progress and outcomes.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Advanced Technology Development Contracts
Information Security Research
Engineering Services for Defense Applications

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF Contract)
Technical Feasibility Risk (R&D)
Schedule Delay Risk (R&D)
Security Vulnerabilities in Commodity Hardware

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.3 million to CHARLES RIVER ANALYTICS, INC.. COMPARTMENTALIZATION ARCHITECTURE USING COMMODITY HARDWARE FOR ENFORCEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHARLES RIVER ANALYTICS, 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 $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-07. End: 2028-05-07.

What is the specific technical objective of the 'compartmentalization architecture' being developed?

The specific technical objective of the 'compartmentalization architecture using commodity hardware for enforcement' is to develop a novel system that enhances security and operational efficiency for enforcement agencies. This likely involves creating isolated environments or secure enclaves within computing systems, potentially leveraging readily available hardware components to reduce costs and increase deployability. The goal is to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, or interference with critical enforcement operations by segmenting systems and data into distinct, protected compartments. The research will explore the feasibility, design, and implementation of such an architecture, focusing on its effectiveness in real-world enforcement scenarios.

How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type compare to other R&D contract vehicles in terms of risk and value?

The Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract type is common for research and development efforts where the scope of work can be uncertain or evolve. In CPFF contracts, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a fixed fee representing their profit. This structure shifts some cost risk to the government, as the final cost is not predetermined. Compared to fixed-price contracts, CPFF offers greater flexibility for R&D projects that may encounter unforeseen technical challenges or require scope adjustments. However, it necessitates robust government oversight to control costs and ensure that the fixed fee remains a fair incentive for performance. For taxpayers, CPFF contracts can potentially lead to higher overall costs than fixed-price contracts if not managed diligently, but they also enable the pursuit of high-risk, high-reward R&D that might not be feasible under other structures.

What is Charles River Analytics, Inc.'s track record in similar R&D projects for the Department of Defense?

Charles River Analytics, Inc. has a significant history of performing research and development contracts for the Department of Defense across various agencies, including the Air Force, Navy, and Army. Their portfolio often includes work in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, sensor systems, and advanced materials. They have demonstrated capabilities in developing innovative solutions for complex defense challenges. While specific project details are often proprietary, their consistent engagement with DoD R&D initiatives suggests a strong understanding of defense requirements, contracting processes, and the ability to deliver on technical objectives. This contract for compartmentalization architecture aligns with their established expertise in developing advanced technological solutions for military applications.

What are the potential implications of using 'commodity hardware' in this R&D effort?

The use of 'commodity hardware' in this R&D effort suggests a strategic approach to reduce costs and potentially increase the scalability and deployability of the compartmentalization architecture. Commodity hardware refers to readily available, off-the-shelf components that are mass-produced and widely used, such as standard servers, networking equipment, and storage devices. By leveraging these components, the project aims to avoid the higher costs and longer lead times associated with custom-designed or specialized hardware. This could make the developed architecture more accessible and easier to implement across various enforcement platforms. However, it also introduces potential challenges related to security vulnerabilities inherent in widely distributed hardware and the need for robust software-based security measures to compensate for any limitations of the commodity components.

How will the success of this R&D contract be measured, and what are the key performance indicators?

The success of this R&D contract will likely be measured against a set of technical objectives and performance metrics defined in the contract statement of work. Key performance indicators (KPIs) could include the effectiveness of the compartmentalization in preventing unauthorized access (e.g., measured by penetration testing success rates), the performance overhead introduced by the architecture (e.g., latency, throughput), the scalability of the solution to handle increasing workloads or data volumes, and the cost-effectiveness of using commodity hardware. Milestones for design completion, prototype development, testing phases, and final reporting will also serve as critical indicators of progress. The ultimate measure of success will be the demonstration that the developed architecture meets the specific enforcement needs outlined by the Department of the Air Force.

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

Solicitation ID: HR001123S0028

Offers Received: 27

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 625 MOUNT AUBURN ST, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02138

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,215,736

Exercised Options: $4,215,736

Current Obligation: $2,277,774

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $595,642

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline