DoD's $22M R&D Contract with Jackson and Tull: Full and Open Competition Yields Firm Fixed Price
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,075,082 ($22.1M)
Contractor: Jackson and Tull Chartered Engineers
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2006-06-20
End Date: 2009-07-13
Contract Duration: 1,119 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Place of Performance
Location: EDWARDS, KERN County, CALIFORNIA, 93524
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $22.1 million to JACKSON AND TULL CHARTERED ENGINEERS for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Jackson and Tull for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Utilized full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a deliberate procurement strategy. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. The $22.08M award value falls within a typical range for specialized R&D services. 5. No small business participation noted, which could be a missed opportunity for economic inclusion.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The $22.08M contract value appears reasonable for specialized R&D services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for physical, engineering, and life sciences research would provide a more definitive assessment of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The procurement method was 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This suggests that while competition was sought, specific sources were initially excluded, potentially impacting the breadth of price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The firm fixed price structure and competitive award aim to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for the defined R&D scope.
Public Impact
Advancement of physical, engineering, and life sciences through dedicated research and development. Potential for technological breakthroughs and innovations stemming from the contracted R&D. Government investment in specialized scientific expertise provided by Jackson and Tull. The contract's duration of 1119 days indicates a significant, long-term research effort.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of small business participation.
- Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
- Full and open competition, even with exclusions, aims for best value.
- Significant investment in critical R&D areas.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector (NAICS 541710). Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement and national security, with contract values varying widely based on project scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business (SB status is false). There is no indication of small business subcontracting goals or participation within the provided data, representing a potential gap in leveraging small business capabilities.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Air Force under the Department of Defense. Oversight would typically involve program managers ensuring research milestones are met and adherence to contract terms, with financial oversight from contracting officers.
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
- Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Complexity and inherent uncertainty in R&D projects.
- Contract duration may lead to scope creep if not managed tightly.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ca, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $22.1 million to JACKSON AND TULL CHARTERED ENGINEERS. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is JACKSON AND TULL CHARTERED ENGINEERS.
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 $22.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-06-20. End: 2009-07-13.
What specific research outcomes were achieved under this contract, and did they align with the initial objectives and taxpayer investment?
The provided data does not detail the specific research outcomes or their alignment with initial objectives. Further analysis would require reviewing contract performance reports, technical documentation, and final deliverables to assess the value generated for the $22.08M investment and the 1119-day duration.
Were there any risks associated with excluding specific sources during the 'full and open competition' phase, and how were these mitigated?
Excluding sources, even in a full and open competition, carries the risk of limiting the pool of potential offerors and potentially missing out on innovative solutions or better pricing. Mitigation would involve a clear justification for exclusions and ensuring the remaining sources provided robust competition to achieve fair and reasonable pricing.
How effective was the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure in managing costs for this complex R&D effort, and were there any cost overruns or adjustments?
An FFP contract is generally effective in controlling costs as the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. For R&D, however, the inherent uncertainty can sometimes lead to scope adjustments or change orders. Without performance data, it's difficult to definitively assess the FFP's effectiveness in this specific case.
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: 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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2705 BLADENSBURG RD NE, WASHINGTON, DC, 20018
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $10,667,995
Exercised Options: $10,667,995
Current Obligation: $22,075,082
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-06-20
Current End Date: 2009-07-13
Potential End Date: 2009-07-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-09-14
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