DoD Awards $5.56M R&D Contract to Battelle Memorial Institute for Advanced Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,564,794 ($5.6M)
Contractor: Battelle Memorial Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-08-29
End Date: 2026-07-21
Contract Duration: 691 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DRAGONFLY
Place of Performance
Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43201
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $5.6 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE for work described as: DRAGONFLY Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a large, established research institution. 2. Focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D. 3. Full and open competition suggests potential for competitive pricing. 4. Contract duration of 691 days indicates a significant project scope.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $5.56M for a 691-day duration appears reasonable for specialized R&D. Benchmarking against similar DoD R&D contracts would provide further context on cost-effectiveness.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment among potential contractors.
Public Impact
Supports advanced research and development initiatives within the Department of Defense. Potential for technological advancements with broad applications. Investment in scientific and engineering capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- Scope creep in R&D projects can impact final costs and timelines.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Contract supports critical R&D for national security.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and innovation.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Battelle Memorial Institute, a large research organization. There is no indication of specific provisions or subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Defense, through U.S. Special Operations Command, is responsible for oversight. The use of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract necessitates robust monitoring to ensure adherence to scope and budget.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- U.S. Special Operations Command Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- R&D projects inherently have uncertainty.
- Potential for scope creep.
- Long contract duration.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, oh, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $5.6 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE. DRAGONFLY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (U.S. Special Operations Command).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-08-29. End: 2026-07-21.
What specific research objectives does this contract aim to achieve, and how do they align with current national security priorities?
The contract's specific research objectives are not detailed in the provided data. However, given the awarding agency (U.S. Special Operations Command), the research likely pertains to advanced technologies or solutions relevant to special operations capabilities. Alignment with national security priorities would depend on the classified or unclassified strategic goals of SOCOM and the DoD.
What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract in an R&D context, and how will they be mitigated?
CPFF contracts carry risks of cost overruns if the contractor's costs exceed initial estimates, as the government absorbs these costs up to a fixed fee. Mitigation strategies include rigorous cost tracking, performance monitoring, clear scope definition, and strong contract management by the government to ensure efficient resource utilization and prevent scope creep.
How will the effectiveness and impact of the research funded by this contract be measured and evaluated?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through technical milestones, deliverables, and performance metrics defined in the contract. The ultimate impact will be assessed by how well the research outcomes contribute to the operational needs or technological advancements of the U.S. Special Operations Command, potentially through follow-on development or integration into existing systems.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: H9222220BAAST
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 505 KING AVE, COLUMBUS, OH, 43201
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,642,759
Exercised Options: $7,410,452
Current Obligation: $5,564,794
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-08-29
Current End Date: 2026-07-21
Potential End Date: 2026-07-21 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-08
More Contracts from Battelle Memorial Institute
- Battelle Memorial Institute/Pacific Northwest Laboratory Operating and Managing Contract — $30.2B (Department of Energy)
- Fox/Bio Requirement — $387.6M (Department of Defense)
- Arctic Research Support and Logistics Services (arsls) — $249.0M (National Science Foundation)
- OF the Research Effort to Evaluate the Toxic and Carcinogenic Potential of Test Agents in Laboratory Animals for the NTP — $150.1M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- IAC MAC 2080 Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense Testing and Analytics for Joint Enterprise Fielding and Surveillance — $104.9M (Department of Defense)
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)