DoD's $17.8M Contract with Maritime Materials Technologies (M2T) for R&D in Biotechnology
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,833,778 ($17.8M)
Contractor: Leidos, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2019-11-04
End Date: 2024-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,792 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MARITIME MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES (M2T)
Place of Performance
Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $17.8 million to LEIDOS, INC. for work described as: MARITIME MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES (M2T) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Maritime Materials Technologies (M2T) for $17.8M. 2. Competition was full and open, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract is for Research and Development in Biotechnology. 4. Leidos, Inc. is listed as a competitor, suggesting a competitive market.
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 $17.8M is moderate for R&D, but the final cost will depend on project execution.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is moderate, with the potential for value depending on the success of the R&D outcomes.
Public Impact
Advancement in biotechnology research could lead to new defense capabilities. Investment in R&D is crucial for maintaining technological superiority. The contract duration of nearly 5 years allows for substantial research progress.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
- Limited information on specific deliverables and success metrics.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition ensures a competitive bidding process.
- Focus on critical R&D in biotechnology.
- Long-term contract allows for sustained research efforts.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on biotechnology. Spending in this area is critical for innovation and national security, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight by the Department of Defense, specifically DARPA, is expected to be rigorous given the agency's focus on cutting-edge research. However, the effectiveness of oversight depends on detailed performance metrics and regular reviews.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract structure.
- Potential for R&D project scope creep.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Limited insight into small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-biotechnolog, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $17.8 million to LEIDOS, INC.. MARITIME MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES (M2T)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LEIDOS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-11-04. End: 2024-09-30.
What are the specific research objectives and expected outcomes of this biotechnology R&D contract?
The specific research objectives and expected outcomes are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, DARPA contracts aim for transformative technological advancements with potential dual-use applications. Further documentation would be required to ascertain the precise goals, such as developing novel materials, enhancing biological sensing capabilities, or improving biotechnological processes for defense applications.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract?
Key performance indicators for a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract in R&D are usually tied to milestones, technical progress, and adherence to research plans. Success would be measured by the achievement of defined research goals, successful demonstration of prototypes or concepts, and timely reporting of findings. The fixed fee component incentivizes the contractor to complete the work efficiently within the agreed-upon scope.
How does the $17.8M investment compare to similar biotechnology R&D contracts within the DoD or other federal agencies?
The $17.8M award is a moderate investment for a multi-year R&D contract in biotechnology. Benchmarking against similar contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. However, for specialized R&D projects managed by agencies like DARPA, this amount is within a typical range, reflecting the complexity and long-term nature of cutting-edge scientific research.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: HR001119S0011
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc.
Address: 11951 FREEDOM DR, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,018,800
Exercised Options: $18,018,800
Current Obligation: $17,833,778
Actual Outlays: $1,015,227
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 41
Total Subaward Amount: $3,739,547
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-11-04
Current End Date: 2024-09-30
Potential End Date: 2024-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-28
More Contracts from Leidos, Inc.
- Science Operation and Maintenance Support for the United States Antarctic Program — $3.1B (National Science Foundation)
- Provide Funding for Clin 302 for Pre-Flight and In-Flight Services. Contract Number Dtfawa-05-C-00031, Lockheed Martin. POP 01/16/08-03/31/08 — $1.9B (Department of Transportation)
- THE Facilities Development and Operations Contract(fdoc) Specifies Technical, Managerial, and Adminstrative Work Needed to Ensure the Availablitity, Integrity, and Reliability of Missionoperations Facilites Supporting National Aeronautics and Space Administration (nasa) Human Space Flight (HSF) Programs Requiring Mission Operations Support. the Objective of This Contract IS to Consolidate Efforts Across the Facilities Covered Under Fodoc in Order to Maximize Synergy for Hardware and Software Development, Modification, Sustaining. Maintenance, Reconfiguration, and Operations for the Purpose of Reducing Cost Without Compromising Facility Functionality and Performance. Nasa Will Collaborate With the Contractor on Developing Procedural and Technical Innovations That Improve Quality, Ensure Customer Satisfaction and Reduce Cost. Mission Operations Facilities Currently Support the Space Shuttle Programand the International Space Station Progra, Including International Partner and Commmercial Visiting Vehicles. Mission Operations Facilities Supporting the Cnstellation Program(cxp) ARE Continuously Under Development in Concert With CXP Formulation and Implementation. Fdoc Applies to the Facilities of These Three Programs, and ANY Other HSF Program Requiring Mission Operations Facility Support. in Addition, Future Mission Operations Facilities and Capabilities ARE Within the Technical Scope of This SOW, and Fdoc Worlk Associated With These Facilities Will BE Enabled Through Idiq — $1.3B (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- National Airspace System (NAS) Implementation Support Contract (nisc). Provides Engineering and Technical Support Services to FAA Organizations Responsible for NAS Transformation, Integration and Implementation in the Areas of Implementation and Integration Planning, Transition Planning, Engineering Support, Environmental Support, Automation Support and Other Engineering and Technical Disciplines AS Required. TAS::69 8107::TAS — $1.1B (Department of Transportation)
- Itssc Task Order for Systems — $1.1B (Social Security Administration)
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)