DoD's NDSEG Fellowship Program awarded $215.8M to American Society for Engineering Education over 8 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $215,816,855 ($215.8M)

Contractor: American Society for Engineering Education

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2011-03-01

End Date: 2019-08-31

Contract Duration: 3,105 days

Daily Burn Rate: $69.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL DEFENSE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING GRADUATE (NDSEG) FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM DEF

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20036

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $215.8 million to AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR ENGINEERING EDUCATION for work described as: NATIONAL DEFENSE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING GRADUATE (NDSEG) FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM DEF Key points: 1. The fellowship program aims to increase the number of U.S. citizens trained in science and engineering disciplines critical to national defense. 2. The contract's duration of over 8 years suggests a long-term commitment to developing a skilled scientific workforce. 3. The program's success is tied to the number of fellows who complete their degrees and subsequently contribute to defense-related research and development. 4. While the total award is substantial, the annual outlay is manageable within the Department of Defense's overall budget. 5. The focus on graduate-level education indicates an investment in advanced research capabilities. 6. The lack of a small business set-aside is typical for large, established fellowship programs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $215.8 million over approximately 8 years represents a significant investment in scientific talent development. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale fellowship programs is challenging due to the specialized nature of defense-focused STEM education. However, the consistent funding over an extended period suggests a stable and potentially cost-effective approach to cultivating a pipeline of researchers. The 'Cost No Fee' contract type implies that the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs without an additional profit margin, which can be favorable for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple organizations were likely invited to bid. The presence of a single award suggests that the American Society for Engineering Education was selected as the most qualified bidder based on technical merit, experience, and potentially cost. Full and open competition generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing the best value for government funds by encouraging a wide range of proposals and potentially driving down costs through competitive pressure.

Public Impact

Benefits U.S. citizens pursuing graduate degrees in science and engineering fields relevant to national defense. Supports the development of a highly skilled workforce for research and development in critical technology areas. The geographic impact is national, as fellows can attend universities across the United States. Implications for the workforce include the creation of a future talent pool for government laboratories, defense contractors, and academia.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for 'brain drain' if fellows do not remain in defense-related sectors after graduation.
Ensuring the program consistently attracts top-tier talent requires ongoing evaluation of fellowship benefits and outreach efforts.
Measuring the direct impact of the fellowship on specific defense innovations can be complex.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical national need for advanced STEM expertise in defense.
Long-term funding commitment provides stability for fellows and educational institutions.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process for the awardee.

Sector Analysis

The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Program falls within the broader education and workforce development sector, specifically targeting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields crucial for national security. This contract represents a significant investment in human capital for the Department of Defense, aiming to cultivate the next generation of researchers and innovators. Comparable spending benchmarks in this niche area are difficult to pinpoint, as direct fellowship programs of this scale are unique, but it aligns with broader government investments in STEM education and research grants.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, which is common for large, established programs managed by established organizations. The American Society for Engineering Education, as the awardee, is likely responsible for managing the program and potentially subcontracting with universities or research institutions. The absence of a direct small business set-aside means that opportunities for small businesses would primarily arise through indirect means, such as providing support services to the prime contractor or its partner institutions, rather than direct prime contract awards.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this fellowship program is likely managed by the awarding agency within the Department of Defense, potentially the Air Force Research Laboratory or a similar entity responsible for science and technology workforce development. Accountability measures would include tracking fellow progress, degree completion rates, and their subsequent contributions to defense-related fields. Transparency is generally maintained through program reporting and public information about the fellowship's goals and outcomes. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any potential misuse of funds or program irregularities.

Related Government Programs

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship
SMART Scholarship Program (DoE)
Various university-specific research grants and fellowships

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration may pose risks if strategic priorities shift.
Potential for 'brain drain' if fellows do not enter defense-related careers.
Measuring direct impact on specific defense innovations can be challenging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $215.8 million to AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR ENGINEERING EDUCATION. NATIONAL DEFENSE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING GRADUATE (NDSEG) FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM DEF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR ENGINEERING EDUCATION.

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 $215.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-03-01. End: 2019-08-31.

What is the track record of the American Society for Engineering Education in managing large-scale fellowship programs?

The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) has a long-standing history of managing significant educational and professional development programs, including those funded by government agencies. ASEE is known for its work in promoting engineering education and research, and has administered various fellowship and scholarship programs aimed at students and professionals. Their experience in coordinating with academic institutions, managing application processes, and overseeing program participants suggests a strong capability to handle the complexities of the NDSEG program. Specific details on their past performance metrics for similar large-scale government contracts would provide a more granular assessment, but their established presence in the engineering education community indicates a solid foundation for program management.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar defense-focused STEM fellowship programs?

Direct comparisons for the NDSEG program's value are challenging due to its specific focus on defense-related science and engineering at the graduate level and its substantial, long-term funding. However, other federal agencies also invest heavily in STEM talent development. For instance, the National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) supports a broad range of scientific fields, and while it doesn't have a specific defense focus, it represents a significant investment in graduate students. The Department of Energy also has substantial fellowship programs, such as the SMART Scholarship Program, which targets critical STEM fields for national security. The $215.8 million awarded to ASEE for NDSEG over approximately eight years indicates a substantial commitment, likely reflecting the high cost of graduate education and the strategic importance of cultivating specialized defense-related expertise.

What are the primary risks associated with the long-term nature of this contract?

The primary risks associated with the long-term nature of this contract (over 8 years) include potential shifts in national defense priorities, which could alter the specific STEM fields deemed most critical, potentially making some fellowship areas less relevant over time. There's also a risk of 'brain drain,' where fellows, after completing their degrees, may choose careers outside of defense-related sectors, diminishing the program's return on investment for national security. Furthermore, the contractor's performance could degrade over such an extended period if not continuously monitored and managed effectively. Economic fluctuations could also impact future funding levels, despite the current award amount. Finally, technological advancements might outpace the curriculum or research areas supported by the fellowship, requiring adaptive management.

How effective is the NDSEG program in producing graduates who contribute to national defense?

The effectiveness of the NDSEG program in producing graduates who contribute to national defense is generally considered high, given its targeted approach and long history. The program's explicit goal is to increase the number of U.S. citizens trained in science and engineering disciplines vital to national security. Many NDSEG fellows go on to pursue careers in government laboratories, defense industries, and academia, contributing to research and development in areas such as cybersecurity, advanced materials, aerospace engineering, and artificial intelligence. While quantifying the exact impact on specific defense innovations can be complex, the sustained investment by the Department of Defense underscores its perceived value in building a critical talent pipeline. Success metrics typically include degree completion rates and the career paths of alumni.

What are the historical spending patterns for the NDSEG Fellowship Program?

The provided data indicates a total award of $215,816,854.81 for the period of March 1, 2011, to August 31, 2019, which spans approximately 8.5 years. This averages out to roughly $25.4 million per year. This suggests a relatively consistent annual investment in the program over this timeframe. While this specific contract award covers a defined period, the NDSEG program itself has a longer history, and its funding levels may have varied in previous years based on defense budget allocations and strategic priorities. Understanding the full historical spending would require examining awards from prior contract periods and potentially other funding mechanisms used by the DoD to support the fellowship.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Office Administrative Services › Office Administrative Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1818 N ST NW STE 600, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $240,259,075

Exercised Options: $240,259,075

Current Obligation: $215,816,855

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline