DoD awards $5.1M for medical countermeasures, with research and development in biotechnology

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,095,700 ($5.1M)

Contractor: Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-03-27

End Date: 2027-03-26

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES FOR WOUND INFECTIONS AND POINT-OF-INJURY CARE IN SUPPORT OF THE WARFIGHTER.

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $5.1 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD. for work described as: MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES FOR WOUND INFECTIONS AND POINT-OF-INJURY CARE IN SUPPORT OF THE WARFIGHTER. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical medical countermeasures for wound infections and point-of-injury care. 2. Research and Development in Biotechnology sector, excluding Nanobiotechnology. 3. Awarded to Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd. 4. Contract duration is 729 days. 5. Firm Fixed Price contract type indicates defined costs. 6. This award is part of broader efforts to support warfighter readiness and medical capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $5.1 million for a 729-day research and development effort appears reasonable within the biotechnology sector. Benchmarking against similar contracts for advanced medical research and development would provide a more precise assessment of value for money. The firm fixed price structure helps manage cost predictability for this specific scope of work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a broad solicitation to qualified offerors. The presence of two bids indicates a degree of competition, though a higher number of bidders would typically lead to more robust price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value through a wide range of potential solutions and competitive pricing.

Public Impact

Benefits warfighters by providing advanced medical countermeasures for battlefield injuries. Services delivered include research and development in biotechnology for wound care. Geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Defense's operational and research infrastructure. Workforce implications include specialized roles in biotechnology research and development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for research delays impacting warfighter readiness if milestones are not met.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical medical countermeasure development.

Positive Signals

Focus on critical warfighter medical needs addresses a key operational requirement.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty for this research effort.
Full and open competition promotes a wide search for innovative solutions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in Biotechnology sector, a critical area for defense and public health. The market for advanced medical countermeasures is driven by innovation and the need for effective solutions against evolving threats. Spending in this area is often characterized by long development cycles and significant investment in scientific expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in other government-funded R&D initiatives for medical advancements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to participate in the bidding process or as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Defense Health Agency. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed price contract terms and performance milestones. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed research progress reports may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

Medical Readiness
Biotechnology Research
Warfighter Support Programs
Advanced Medical Technologies

Risk Flags

Research and Development timelines can be unpredictable.
Potential for scientific challenges impacting project completion.
Dependence on contractor's specialized expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $5.1 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD.. MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES FOR WOUND INFECTIONS AND POINT-OF-INJURY CARE IN SUPPORT OF THE WARFIGHTER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Health Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-27. End: 2027-03-26.

What is the track record of Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd. in performing similar research and development contracts for the Department of Defense?

Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd. has a history of performing various services for the Department of Defense, often related to systems engineering, technical support, and program management. While specific details on their success in biotechnology R&D are not immediately apparent from this award alone, their general experience with DoD contracts suggests familiarity with government procurement processes and requirements. A deeper dive into their past performance on similar research-intensive contracts, including client feedback and project outcomes, would be necessary to fully assess their suitability for this specific R&D effort. Their ability to manage complex research projects, adhere to scientific rigor, and deliver on time and within budget are key factors to consider.

How does the awarded amount of $5.1 million compare to the typical cost of similar biotechnology R&D contracts for medical countermeasures?

The $5.1 million award for a 729-day (approximately 2-year) contract focused on medical countermeasures for wound infections and point-of-injury care is within a plausible range for specialized biotechnology research and development. However, a precise comparison requires access to a database of similar contracts, considering factors like the specific scientific challenges, the novelty of the proposed solutions, the required personnel expertise, and the maturity of the technology being developed. Contracts in this field can vary significantly in cost based on the complexity of the research, the stage of development (e.g., basic research vs. advanced prototyping), and the specific therapeutic targets. Without direct comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent or fair value, but it does not appear to be an outlier for a targeted R&D effort.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Key risks for this contract include potential scientific challenges leading to research delays or failure to achieve desired outcomes, contractor performance issues (e.g., quality of research, adherence to schedule), and the possibility of the developed countermeasures becoming obsolete due to rapid advancements in the field or changes in military requirements. Mitigation strategies likely include rigorous oversight by the Defense Health Agency, clear performance milestones within the firm fixed price contract, regular progress reviews, and potentially built-in flexibility to adapt research directions if necessary. The contractor's own risk management processes, including contingency planning for research setbacks, are also crucial.

What is the expected effectiveness of the medical countermeasures being developed under this contract in improving warfighter outcomes?

The effectiveness of the medical countermeasures is directly tied to the success of the research and development effort. The contract aims to address critical needs for wound infections and point-of-injury care, suggesting that successful development could significantly improve survival rates, reduce complications, and speed recovery for injured warfighters. The specific metrics for effectiveness would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance objectives, likely involving laboratory testing, preclinical studies, and potentially simulated battlefield conditions. The ultimate effectiveness will be realized upon successful transition of these countermeasures into clinical use and deployment.

How has federal spending in the biotechnology R&D sector, particularly for defense applications, trended in recent years?

Federal spending in the biotechnology R&D sector, especially for defense applications, has generally seen an upward trend in recent years. This is driven by a recognition of the critical role biotechnology plays in national security, from developing advanced medical treatments for personnel to creating novel materials and defense technologies. Agencies like the Department of Defense (DoD), through entities like the Defense Health Agency and DARPA, consistently invest in cutting-edge biotech research. Factors contributing to this trend include emerging threats, the need for rapid medical response capabilities, and advancements in fields like genomics, synthetic biology, and bioinformatics. This specific contract aligns with that broader investment strategy.

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 › N – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 201 EDGEWATER DR STE 270, WAKEFIELD, MA, 01880

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,764,513

Exercised Options: $8,638,896

Current Obligation: $5,095,700

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HT001122D0035

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline