Air Force awards $19.3M R&D contract to Tecolote Research, Inc. via full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,333,639 ($19.3M)
Contractor: Tecolote Research, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-02-02
End Date: 2014-03-13
Contract Duration: 2,596 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DELIVERY ORDER AWARD
Place of Performance
Location: EL SEGUNDO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90245
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $19.3 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: DELIVERY ORDER AWARD Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Tecolote Research, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. The contract duration is 2596 days, spanning from 2007 to 2014.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's total award value is $19.3M. Without specific per-unit cost data or benchmarks for similar R&D services, a precise pricing assessment is difficult. The Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing type can limit the effectiveness of price competition over the contract's long duration.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is positive for taxpayer value. However, the T&M pricing structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and avoid potential overspending.
Public Impact
This contract supports research and development efforts within the Department of the Air Force. The long duration of the contract (over 7 years) indicates a sustained need for these R&D services. The award to Tecolote Research, Inc. signifies a significant investment in scientific and engineering advancements.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost uncertainty and potential overruns.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight to ensure continued value.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes assessing effectiveness challenging.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, promoting market fairness.
- Supports critical R&D for the Department of the Air Force.
- Tecolote Research, Inc. has a history of government contracting.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) sector. Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement and national security. Benchmarks for R&D contracts vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that large businesses were likely the primary participants. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had opportunities to participate as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The long duration of this contract necessitates diligent oversight to ensure adherence to scope, budget, and performance standards. Regular reviews of expenditures and progress reports are critical for accountability and to mitigate risks associated with Time and Materials contracts.
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
- Risk of cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
- Potential for scope creep over the long contract duration.
- Difficulty in measuring R&D effectiveness without clear, quantifiable outcomes.
- Need for sustained government oversight across multiple years.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ca, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $19.3 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC.. DELIVERY ORDER AWARD
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TECOLOTE RESEARCH, 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 $19.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-02-02. End: 2014-03-13.
What was the specific nature of the R&D performed under this contract, and how did it align with Air Force priorities?
The contract focused on Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology), NAICS code 541712. While the specific R&D projects are not detailed, such contracts typically support advancements in areas like aerospace engineering, materials science, or advanced computing, aligning with the Air Force's need for technological superiority and operational effectiveness.
How effectively did the full and open competition process ensure competitive pricing given the Time and Materials contract type?
Full and open competition is designed to maximize price competition. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure inherently limits upfront price certainty. While the initial award may have been competitive, the T&M nature means the final cost is driven by actual labor hours and material costs, requiring robust government oversight throughout the contract's lifecycle to control spending and ensure value.
What mechanisms were in place to assess the technical progress and ultimate effectiveness of the R&D services provided over the contract's 7-year duration?
Given the Time and Materials structure and long duration, effective oversight would likely involve regular technical reviews, milestone assessments, and performance reporting. The government contracting officer and technical representatives would be responsible for monitoring progress against stated R&D objectives and ensuring the delivered research contributed meaningfully to Air Force capabilities or understanding.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1 S LOS CARNEROS RD # 125, GOLETA, CA, 24
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,809,446
Exercised Options: $21,809,446
Current Obligation: $19,333,639
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS23F0105K
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-02-02
Current End Date: 2014-03-13
Potential End Date: 2014-03-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-06-13
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