DoD's $71M Research Support Contract Awarded to Institute for Defense Analyses via Sole Source
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $70,941,964 ($70.9M)
Contractor: Institute for Defense Analyses
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2019-03-31
End Date: 2023-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,644 days
Daily Burn Rate: $43.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22311
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $70.9 million to INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES for work described as: RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $70.9 million for research and analysis support. 2. Sole-source award to Institute for Defense Analyses raises questions about competition. 3. Contract spans nearly five years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code is broad, potentially masking specific service areas.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without specific service details, but the overall value suggests a substantial investment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially reduces opportunities for other qualified contractors to offer their services, raising concerns about value for money.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competitive bidding, as the government did not explore potentially lower-cost alternatives.
Public Impact
Lack of competition may mean higher costs for taxpayers. Limited transparency into the specific research and analysis performed. Potential for missed innovation from a broader range of service providers.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus contract type
- Broad NAICS code
Positive Signals
- Established contractor with likely relevant expertise
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category. The Department of Defense is a major consumer of such services, particularly for research and analysis, often involving specialized expertise.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not competed and there is no indication of small business participation. This sole-source award likely bypassed opportunities for small businesses to compete for these services.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the justification for not competing was robust and that the pricing is reasonable. Further oversight is needed to track the specific deliverables and their impact.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Washington Headquarters Services Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency
- No small business participation
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $70.9 million to INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES. RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Washington Headquarters Services).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $70.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-03-31. End: 2023-09-30.
What specific research and analysis tasks are being performed under this contract, and how do they align with the Department of Defense's strategic objectives?
The provided data lacks specifics on the research and analysis tasks. The broad NAICS code 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' offers little insight. Understanding the precise nature of the work is crucial to assess its strategic alignment and value to the DoD's mission.
What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative sources considered?
The data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' implying a sole-source justification. Without further documentation, it's unclear what specific reasons (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent need) led to this decision or if any market research was conducted to identify potential competitors.
How is the effectiveness and impact of the research and analysis support services being measured and evaluated?
The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) and the broad service category make it challenging to assess effectiveness without detailed performance metrics. The government needs robust mechanisms to track deliverables, outcomes, and the overall contribution of these services to DoD objectives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: HQ003418R0156
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4850 MARK CENTER DR, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22311
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: $70,941,964
Exercised Options: $70,941,964
Current Obligation: $70,941,964
Actual Outlays: $3,412,125
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $124,034
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HQ003419D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-03-31
Current End Date: 2023-09-30
Potential End Date: 2023-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-19
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