DoD Awards $14.1M SBIR Phase III R&D Contract to Corvid Technologies, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,147,014 ($14.1M)
Contractor: Corvid Technologies, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-09-30
End Date: 2014-08-31
Contract Duration: 1,796 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SBIR PHASE III RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
Place of Performance
Location: MOORESVILLE, IREDELL County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28117
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $14.1 million to CORVID TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: SBIR PHASE III RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. Key points: 1. Contract value of $14.1M for R&D services. 2. Corvid Technologies, LLC is the sole awardee. 3. Contract awarded under Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources. 4. The contract falls under NAICS code 541712 (R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The award amount of $14.1M for a 5-year R&D effort requires careful monitoring of expenditures against milestones.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources,' indicating a competitive process but with specific criteria that may have limited the pool of eligible bidders. This method aims for fair pricing while ensuring specialized capabilities are considered.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced research and development, with the expectation of technological advancements and potential future benefits. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure value for money.
Public Impact
Supports innovation in defense technologies through SBIR Phase III. Potential for advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D. Long-term contract duration suggests significant project scope and impact.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 78 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Long contract duration (nearly 5 years) increases risk of scope creep or changing requirements.
Positive Signals
- SBIR Phase III aims to transition technology developed in earlier phases.
- Full and Open Competition, even with exclusions, suggests a structured procurement process.
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, but R&D contracts inherently carry higher risk due to the uncertainty of outcomes.
Small Business Impact
While the contract is awarded to Corvid Technologies, LLC, the data does not specify if they are a small business. SBIR Phase III contracts are intended to further develop technologies from small businesses, but the awardee's size status is not explicitly stated here.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), indicating a level of oversight. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires diligent monitoring of costs and performance to ensure accountability and prevent waste.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Long contract duration.
- Potential for limited competition due to 'Exclusion of Sources'.
- Lack of explicit small business status for the awardee.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, nc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $14.1 million to CORVID TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. SBIR PHASE III RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CORVID TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $14.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-09-30. End: 2014-08-31.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this $14.1M R&D contract, and how will their success be measured?
The specific technological advancements are not detailed in the provided data. However, as an SBIR Phase III contract, it aims to commercialize technologies developed in earlier SBIR phases. Success measurement would typically involve achieving defined technical milestones, successful prototype development, and potential for market adoption or further government use, as outlined in the contract's Statement of Work.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for R&D, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risk with CPFF contracts is that the contractor may incur costs exceeding initial estimates, potentially leading to higher overall spending than anticipated, as the government pays actual costs plus a fixed fee. Mitigation strategies include rigorous oversight, detailed cost tracking, performance monitoring against milestones, and clear contract terms defining allowable costs and the fixed fee.
How does the 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' method impact the overall value and effectiveness of this R&D award?
This procurement method suggests that while the competition was open, certain sources were excluded, possibly due to specific technical requirements or prior SBIR phase participation. This could potentially limit the breadth of innovation but ensures that bidders possess highly specialized capabilities relevant to the R&D. The effectiveness hinges on whether the selected contractor can deliver the required innovation at a competitive price within the established framework.
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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 153 LANGTREE CAMPUS DR STE 401, MOORESVILLE, NC, 28117
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,491,721
Exercised Options: $14,491,721
Current Obligation: $14,147,014
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-09-30
Current End Date: 2014-08-31
Potential End Date: 2014-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-11-01
More Contracts from Corvid Technologies, LLC
- (NO Inherently Government Functions Associated With This Scope of Work) Test&evaluation Technical Services — $25.3M (Department of Defense)
- Medds Mission Support Labor — $23.1M (Department of Defense)
- Manufacturing, Flight Activity, and Limited Design Support of Short and Medium Range Sub-Orbital and Launch Support Services — $18.8M (Department of Defense)
- XTR-1 Mission Support Labor — $15.7M (Department of Defense)
- 24 Months of Mission Execution and Display Distribution System (medds)services — $13.6M (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)