DoD's $11.2M contract for bio-engineered reefs aims to combat coastal threats to infrastructure

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,281,582 ($11.3M)

Contractor: Rutgers, the State University

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-05-04

End Date: 2027-05-03

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 18

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: REEFENSE PROGRAM PHASE 1 SEEKS TO DEVELOP SELF HEALING, HYBRID BIOLOGICAL, AND ENGINEERED REEF-MIMICKING STRUCTURES TO MITIGATE THE COASTAL FLOODING, EROSION, AND STORM DAMAGE THAT INCREASINGLY THREATEN CIVILIAN AND DOD INFRASTRUCTURE AND PERSONNEL.

Place of Performance

Location: NEW BRUNSWICK, MIDDLESEX County, NEW JERSEY, 08901

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $11.3 million to RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY for work described as: REEFENSE PROGRAM PHASE 1 SEEKS TO DEVELOP SELF HEALING, HYBRID BIOLOGICAL, AND ENGINEERED REEF-MIMICKING STRUCTURES TO MITIGATE THE COASTAL FLOODING, EROSION, AND STORM DAMAGE THAT INCREASINGLY THREATEN CIVILIAN AND DOD INFRASTRUCTURE AND PERSONNEL. Key points: 1. Focuses on innovative, nature-inspired solutions for coastal resilience. 2. Addresses critical infrastructure protection needs for both civilian and military assets. 3. Leverages advanced biotechnology for self-healing, hybrid structures. 4. Represents a forward-thinking approach to climate change adaptation. 5. Long-duration contract suggests a phased, developmental research effort.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

This contract's value of $11.2 million for a 5-year research and development effort appears reasonable given the novel and complex nature of the work. Benchmarking is difficult due to the unique focus on bio-engineered, self-healing reefs. However, R&D contracts of this duration and scope often fall within a similar financial range, especially when involving cutting-edge scientific exploration.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified entities had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to yield a fair price and encourage innovative solutions. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a robust selection process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and more effective solutions, ensuring federal funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Coastal communities and infrastructure will benefit from enhanced protection against flooding, erosion, and storm damage. The Department of Defense gains improved resilience for its coastal installations and personnel. Advancements in biotechnology and ecological engineering are expected. Potential for job creation in research, development, and future implementation of these technologies. The project's impact is primarily national, focusing on critical infrastructure vulnerabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long-term nature of R&D contracts can present budget uncertainty if initial phases do not yield expected results.
Effectiveness of novel bio-engineered solutions in real-world, extreme weather conditions requires rigorous validation.
Potential for unforeseen environmental impacts of introducing engineered biological structures into coastal ecosystems.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical and growing national security and infrastructure vulnerability.
Employs a leading research institution (Rutgers) with expertise in relevant fields.
Focus on self-healing materials suggests a potential for reduced long-term maintenance costs.
The contract's duration allows for thorough research and development cycles.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on biotechnology and environmental engineering. The market for coastal resilience solutions is growing rapidly due to increasing climate change impacts. While direct spending benchmarks for bio-engineered reefs are scarce, significant federal investment is directed towards climate adaptation and infrastructure protection, with DARPA often funding high-risk, high-reward research.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-asides. While the prime contractor is a university, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors, particularly in specialized areas of materials science, engineering, or environmental monitoring, though this is not explicitly detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), known for its rigorous program management and milestone-based funding. Accountability will be tied to the achievement of research objectives and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency may be limited due to the sensitive nature of some defense research, but progress reports and final outcomes are typically reviewed.

Related Government Programs

Coastal Resilience Research Programs
DoD Infrastructure Protection Initiatives
Biotechnology Research and Development
Environmental Engineering Solutions
Climate Change Adaptation Funding

Risk Flags

Novel Technology Risk
Environmental Impact Uncertainty
Long-term Performance Validation Needed
Scalability Challenges

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.3 million to RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY. REEFENSE PROGRAM PHASE 1 SEEKS TO DEVELOP SELF HEALING, HYBRID BIOLOGICAL, AND ENGINEERED REEF-MIMICKING STRUCTURES TO MITIGATE THE COASTAL FLOODING, EROSION, AND STORM DAMAGE THAT INCREASINGLY THREATEN CIVILIAN AND DOD INFRASTRUCTURE AND PERSONNEL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY.

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 $11.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-05-04. End: 2027-05-03.

What is the specific scientific approach Rutgers will take to develop 'self-healing, hybrid biological, and engineered reef-mimicking structures'?

The contract details suggest a multi-faceted approach. 'Self-healing' implies the incorporation of materials or biological agents capable of repairing damage autonomously. 'Hybrid biological and engineered' points towards a combination of living organisms (like corals or algae) integrated with artificial, structural components. 'Reef-mimicking' indicates the structures will be designed to replicate the form, function, and ecological benefits of natural reefs, such as wave attenuation and habitat provision. The specific scientific methodologies will likely involve advanced materials science for the engineered components, synthetic biology or bio-integration techniques for the biological elements, and extensive hydrodynamic and ecological modeling to ensure the structures effectively mitigate coastal threats and support marine life.

How does the $11.2 million cost compare to other large-scale R&D projects funded by DARPA or similar agencies?

The $11.2 million allocated over five years for this project positions it as a significant, but not exceptionally large, R&D initiative within DARPA's portfolio. DARPA often funds projects ranging from a few million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the technological maturity and scope. For instance, foundational research programs can be in the single-digit millions, while more complex system development or demonstration projects can exceed $50 million. This contract's value appears commensurate with a high-risk, high-reward research effort focused on developing novel, potentially disruptive technology over an extended period. Benchmarking against similar 'reef-mimicking' R&D is challenging due to the novelty, but the funding level reflects the anticipated scientific and engineering challenges.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones expected for this contract?

While specific KPIs are not publicly detailed, typical milestones for such a DARPA R&D contract would likely include: successful laboratory-scale development and testing of self-healing material prototypes; demonstration of hybrid biological-engineered component integration; validation of reef-mimicking structural designs through wave tank or flume testing; initial ecological assessments of prototype structures; and potentially, a pilot-scale deployment or advanced simulation of performance under realistic coastal conditions. Key performance indicators would likely focus on the degree of self-healing achieved, the structural integrity and longevity of the hybrid materials, the effectiveness in reducing wave energy and erosion, and the potential for supporting marine biodiversity.

What is the track record of Rutgers University in securing and executing large federal R&D contracts, particularly in defense or environmental science?

Rutgers University has a substantial track record of securing and executing large federal research and development contracts across various scientific disciplines, including defense, environmental science, and biotechnology. As a major research institution, it consistently receives significant funding from agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and various Department of Defense (DoD) entities, including DARPA. Their expertise in areas relevant to this contract, such as marine sciences, materials engineering, and biotechnology, is well-established. While specific contract values and project details vary, Rutgers' history indicates a strong capability to manage complex, multi-year research initiatives and deliver on scientific objectives.

What are the potential risks associated with deploying bio-engineered structures in coastal environments, and how might this contract mitigate them?

Potential risks include unintended ecological consequences, such as outcompeting native species or altering local marine ecosystems, and the long-term durability and effectiveness of the engineered materials in harsh marine conditions. There's also the risk of the 'self-healing' mechanisms failing or becoming ineffective over time. This contract aims to mitigate these risks through a phased R&D approach. The initial focus on laboratory and controlled testing allows for thorough assessment of ecological impacts and material performance before any large-scale deployment. The 'hybrid' nature suggests a design that leverages natural processes while relying on engineered robustness, and the 'self-healing' aspect is intended to enhance longevity, reducing the need for frequent, costly interventions. The long duration allows for iterative design improvements based on rigorous testing.

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 › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Solicitation ID: HR001121S0012

Offers Received: 18

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3 RUTGERS PLZA, NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ, 08901

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,818,954

Exercised Options: $11,281,582

Current Obligation: $11,281,582

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline