DoD's $51.8M R&D Contract for Planning Support Awarded to Applied Research Associates, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $51,794,015 ($51.8M)
Contractor: Applied Research Associates, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-07-01
End Date: 2026-04-02
Contract Duration: 1,736 days
Daily Burn Rate: $29.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR PLANNING SUPPORT AND ANALYSIS
Place of Performance
Location: FORT BELVOIR, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22060
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $51.8 million to APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR PLANNING SUPPORT AND ANALYSIS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single large business, Applied Research Associates, Inc. 2. Spending falls within the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' sector. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can carry higher risk. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while allowing flexibility, can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. The awarded amount of $51.8M over approximately 4.8 years needs careful monitoring.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing compared to limited or sole-source procurements.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary research and development services.
Public Impact
Supports the Department of Defense's research and development capabilities. Funds advanced scientific and engineering analysis for planning support. Potential for technological advancements stemming from the research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Large business awardee
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Supports critical DoD mission
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, a common area for significant government investment. Benchmarks for similar R&D contracts vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The awardee is a large business, and there is no indication of small business participation or subcontracting goals within the provided data. This contract does not appear to directly benefit small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Defense, specifically the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, is responsible for oversight. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates diligent monitoring of costs and performance to ensure accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Lack of small business participation noted
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited insight into specific R&D deliverables
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $51.8 million to APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC.. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR PLANNING SUPPORT AND ANALYSIS
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 (Defense Threat Reduction Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $51.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-07-01. End: 2026-04-02.
What specific planning support and analysis capabilities does this R&D contract aim to develop or enhance for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency?
The contract focuses on research and development for planning support and analysis. While the specific capabilities are not detailed, it likely involves advancing methodologies, tools, or data analysis techniques to aid the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in its mission. This could encompass areas like threat assessment, strategic planning, or operational analysis, leveraging advanced scientific and engineering principles.
What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type in this R&D context, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risk with CPFF is potential cost overruns, as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee. Mitigation involves robust government oversight, clear definition of scope, regular performance reviews, and strict adherence to cost accounting standards. The fixed fee incentivizes efficiency, but the government bears the cost risk if R&D efforts are more expensive than anticipated.
How does this $51.8M investment in R&D align with the broader strategic objectives of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the Department of Defense?
This investment likely supports the agency's core mission of countering weapons of mass destruction and reducing threats. By funding R&D for planning support and analysis, it aims to enhance the DoD's ability to anticipate, plan for, and respond to complex security challenges. The specific alignment would depend on current threat landscapes and strategic priorities within the DoD.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: HDTRA112R0016
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
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: $93,087,600
Exercised Options: $73,615,798
Current Obligation: $51,794,015
Actual Outlays: $31,104,233
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 32
Total Subaward Amount: $27,751,290
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HDTRA114D0003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-07-01
Current End Date: 2026-04-02
Potential End Date: 2026-12-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-01
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