DoD's $60.5M R&D Contract with COLSA Corp: A Decade of Research and Development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $60,513,728 ($60.5M)
Contractor: Colsa Corp
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2004-12-16
End Date: 2010-09-15
Contract Duration: 2,099 days
Daily Burn Rate: $28.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Place of Performance
Location: EGLIN AFB, OKALOOSA County, FLORIDA, 32542
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $60.5 million to COLSA CORP for work described as: Key points: 1. Significant investment in R&D services over a 10-year period. 2. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources suggests a structured procurement process. 3. Cost Plus Award Fee contract type can incentivize performance but requires careful oversight. 4. Focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D indicates a specialized technical area.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure, while common for R&D, can lead to higher costs if award criteria are not strictly defined and monitored. The total award amount of $60.5M over 10 years averages to $6.05M annually, which needs to be benchmarked against similar R&D contracts for a precise value assessment.
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,' indicating that while competition was sought, specific criteria led to excluding some potential bidders. This method aims for competitive pricing but might limit the pool of offerors, potentially impacting the final price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for advanced research and development, aiming for technological advancements. The effectiveness of this spending hinges on the successful achievement of research objectives and the resulting innovations.
Public Impact
Supports advanced research in physical, engineering, and life sciences, potentially leading to technological breakthroughs. A long-term contract (10 years) provides stability for research efforts and contractor investment. The award fee component incentivizes contractor performance and achievement of specific research goals. Contract awarded to COLSA Corp, a company with a history of government contracting.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
- Limited competition aspect ('after exclusion of sources') warrants scrutiny of the exclusion criteria.
- Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or outdated technology if not managed well.
Positive Signals
- Significant investment in critical R&D areas.
- Structured competition process aimed at achieving best value.
- Incentive-based contract structure to drive performance.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Annual spending of approximately $6.05M is moderate for large-scale R&D projects, but its effectiveness depends on the specific research outcomes and their impact.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or prime contractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The Cost Plus Award Fee contract type necessitates robust oversight to ensure that award fees are justified and that the government receives maximum value. Regular performance reviews and audits are crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires diligent oversight.
- Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
- Long contract duration poses risks of scope creep and technological obsolescence.
- Lack of small business participation data.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, fl, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $60.5 million to COLSA CORP. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COLSA CORP.
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 $60.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-12-16. End: 2010-09-15.
What specific research objectives were defined for this contract, and how were they measured to justify award fees?
The contract's success hinges on clearly defined research objectives within physical, engineering, and life sciences. Performance metrics and milestones would have been established to measure progress and determine the contractor's eligibility for award fees. Without access to the contract's statement of work and performance reports, it's difficult to assess the effectiveness of the award fee structure in driving specific, valuable research outcomes.
What were the criteria for excluding sources in this 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award?
The 'exclusion of sources' clause suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, specific requirements or pre-qualification criteria were applied, leading to a narrowed pool of eligible bidders. Understanding these criteria is vital to ensure fair competition and prevent potential bias. It's important to verify that the exclusion was based on legitimate technical or capability requirements and not arbitrary.
How does the $60.5M total value compare to similar R&D contracts awarded by the Department of the Air Force over a similar timeframe?
Benchmarking this $60.5M contract against similar R&D efforts by the Air Force over its 10-year duration is essential for assessing value. If comparable contracts for similar research scope were significantly lower, it might indicate potential overpricing or inefficiencies. Conversely, if it aligns with or is lower than benchmarks, it suggests reasonable cost management for the scope of work.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6726 ODYSSEY DR, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: Category Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Veteran Owned Business
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-12-16
Current End Date: 2010-09-15
Potential End Date: 2010-09-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-11-16
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