DoD's $6.5M Small Satellite Portfolio Contract Continues with Utah State University
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,494,705 ($6.5M)
Contractor: Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-04-10
End Date: 2029-02-10
Contract Duration: 1,402 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SMALL SATELLITE PORTIFOLO (SSP) CONTINUATION OF CONTRACT ACTION TO 01 FA9453-22-F-0007.
Place of Performance
Location: LOGAN, CACHE County, UTAH, 84341
State: Utah Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $6.5 million to UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPACE DYNAMICS LABORATORY for work described as: SMALL SATELLITE PORTIFOLO (SSP) CONTINUATION OF CONTRACT ACTION TO 01 FA9453-22-F-0007. Key points: 1. This contract is a continuation of a previous action, indicating ongoing work in the small satellite domain. 2. The awardee, Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory, is a known entity in R&D. 3. The R&D sector, particularly in physical and engineering sciences, is crucial for technological advancement. 4. The 'NOT COMPETED' status raises questions about potential price discovery and market fairness.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Without a competitive benchmark, assessing the value for money is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, suggesting a sole-source or limited competition award. This limits price discovery and may not yield the best value for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: Without competition, there's a risk that taxpayers are not receiving the most cost-effective solution for this R&D effort.
Public Impact
Supports advanced research and development in physical and engineering sciences. Focuses on the growing small satellite portfolio, relevant to national security and scientific exploration. Potential for technological advancements that could have broader applications. The lack of competition may limit opportunities for other innovative research institutions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Potential for cost overruns
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D in a growing sector
- Awardee has specific expertise in the field
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is vital for innovation but requires careful oversight to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses, nor does it mention subcontracting opportunities for them. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED' status warrants close oversight to ensure the justification for sole-source procurement is sound and that the fixed fee is reasonable. Regular reviews of cost performance will be essential.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for cost overruns due to contract type
- Limited transparency on justification for sole-source award
- Unclear performance metrics and oversight mechanisms
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ut, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $6.5 million to UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPACE DYNAMICS LABORATORY. SMALL SATELLITE PORTIFOLO (SSP) CONTINUATION OF CONTRACT ACTION TO 01 FA9453-22-F-0007.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPACE DYNAMICS LABORATORY.
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 $6.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-04-10. End: 2029-02-10.
What was the justification for not competing this contract, and was a full and open competition truly not feasible?
The justification for not competing this contract is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. However, for R&D contracts, especially in a growing field like small satellites, it's important to ensure that a full and open competition was genuinely not feasible to maximize innovation and cost-effectiveness.
How does the fixed fee in this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract compare to industry standards for similar R&D projects?
Without specific benchmarks for comparable R&D projects in the small satellite domain, it is difficult to definitively assess the reasonableness of the fixed fee. A Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires careful monitoring to ensure the contractor remains efficient and that the fee adequately compensates for the effort without incentivizing excessive costs.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and milestones for this contract, and how will their achievement be measured to ensure effectiveness?
The provided data does not detail the specific KPIs or milestones for this contract. Effective oversight would require clearly defined, measurable objectives and a robust system for tracking progress and deliverables to ensure the research and development efforts are on track and meeting their intended goals.
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: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 416 E INNOVATION AVE, NORTH LOGAN, UT, 84341
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Foundation, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $132,674,682
Exercised Options: $49,335,121
Current Obligation: $6,494,705
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA945322D0005
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-04-10
Current End Date: 2029-02-10
Potential End Date: 2029-02-10 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-15
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