DoD's $5.6M Contract for Nuclear Survivability Studies Awarded to Applied Research Associates
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,588,595 ($5.6M)
Contractor: Applied Research Associates, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2014-09-29
End Date: 2020-04-16
Contract Duration: 2,026 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF - SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NATURAL, NUCLEAR, AND RF RADIATION SURVIVABILITY TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND NUCLEAR SURVIVABILITY STUDIES TO BE PROVIDED IN NATURAL AND NUCLEAR ENVIRONMENT CALCULATIONS, NUCLEAR SURVIVABILITY ASSESSMENTS, MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM SIMULATIONS, NUCLEAR SURVIVABILITY VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION PLANNING, AND NUCLEAR SURVIVABILITY ENGINEERING REVIEWS FOR CURRENT AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES.
Place of Performance
Location: LAS CRUCES, DONA ANA County, NEW MEXICO, 88007
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $5.6 million to APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF - SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NATURAL, NUCLEAR, AND RF RADIATION SURVIVABILITY TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND NUCLEAR SURVIVABILITY STUDIES TO BE PROVIDED IN NATURAL AND NUCLEAR ENVIRONMENT CALCULATIONS, NUCLEAR SURVIVABILITY ASSESSMENTS, MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM SIMULATIONS, NUCLEAR … Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical nuclear survivability research for current and new technologies. 2. Applied Research Associates, Inc. is the sole awardee for this specific delivery order. 3. The contract spans over 5 years, indicating a long-term need for these specialized services. 4. Services include complex simulations, verification, validation, and engineering reviews.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) structure allows for shared savings, potentially benefiting taxpayers if costs are managed efficiently. However, CPIF can also lead to higher costs if not carefully monitored.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential defense research.
Public Impact
Enhances national security by ensuring the survivability of critical systems in nuclear environments. Supports the development of advanced technologies by providing essential technical expertise. Contributes to the Department of Defense's strategic planning and risk assessment capabilities. The long duration of the contract suggests ongoing importance of nuclear survivability analysis.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with CPIF contract type.
- Long contract duration may require ongoing performance monitoring.
- Reliance on a single contractor for specialized services.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Addresses a critical national security need.
- Incentive fee structure can promote cost efficiency.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within Engineering Services, a sector crucial for defense research and development. Spending in this area is often driven by complex technological requirements and national security imperatives.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Larger, specialized firms are typically engaged for highly technical defense research services.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's duration and specialized nature necessitate robust oversight to ensure performance standards are met and costs remain within reasonable bounds, especially given the CPIF structure.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost overrun potential with CPIF.
- Long-term reliance on a single entity.
- Complexity of technical requirements.
- National security implications of research outcomes.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, nm, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $5.6 million to APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC.. IGF::CT::IGF - SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NATURAL, NUCLEAR, AND RF RADIATION SURVIVABILITY TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND NUCLEAR SURVIVABILITY STUDIES TO BE PROVIDED IN NATURAL AND NUCLEAR ENVIRONMENT CALCULATIONS, NUCLEAR SURVIVABILITY ASSESSMENTS, MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM SIMULATIONS, NUCLEAR SURVIVABILITY VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION PLANNING, AND NUCLEAR SURVIVABILITY ENGINEERING REVIEWS FOR CURRENT AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-09-29. End: 2020-04-16.
What is the specific value proposition of Applied Research Associates, Inc. that led to this award, and how does it compare to potential competitors?
Applied Research Associates, Inc. likely possesses specialized expertise and a proven track record in nuclear, natural, and RF radiation survivability. Their specific methodologies, simulation capabilities, and prior performance in similar complex studies would have been evaluated during the full and open competition. The value proposition would center on their ability to deliver accurate and reliable survivability assessments critical for missile defense and new technologies, potentially offering unique insights or cost-effective solutions compared to other technically capable firms.
What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contract type for this nuclear survivability research, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risk with CPIF is the potential for cost overruns if the contractor does not achieve cost savings targets, leading to higher overall expenditure than anticipated. Mitigation strategies include clearly defined performance metrics, rigorous government oversight of contractor expenditures, and well-structured incentive targets that align contractor and government interests. Regular reviews of progress and cost reports are essential to ensure the contractor is actively pursuing efficiency and cost reduction.
How effectively does this contract contribute to the Department of Defense's overall mission regarding technological resilience and survivability in hostile environments?
This contract is highly effective in contributing to the DoD's mission by providing essential technical support for understanding and enhancing the survivability of critical systems. The research directly addresses the challenges posed by natural, nuclear, and RF radiation, ensuring that defense technologies can function under extreme conditions. By supporting calculations, assessments, simulations, and engineering reviews, it underpins the development and validation of resilient systems, crucial for maintaining military superiority and national security.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
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
Solicitation ID: N0002412R3388
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE (V)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4300 SAN MATEO BLVD NE STE A220, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87110
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,711,177
Exercised Options: $6,711,177
Current Obligation: $5,588,595
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0017814D7618
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-09-29
Current End Date: 2020-04-16
Potential End Date: 2020-04-16 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-16
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