Leidos Inc. awarded $17.2M R&D contract by Interior Dept. for physical science research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,193,120 ($17.2M)
Contractor: Leidos, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2005-03-08
End Date: 2008-10-31
Contract Duration: 1,333 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: GSTI
Place of Performance
Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92121
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $17.2 million to LEIDOS, INC. for work described as: GSTI Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost overruns if not managed carefully. 3. The contract duration of 1333 days indicates a significant, long-term research and development effort. 4. The award was made to a single contractor, Leidos, Inc., for a specific R&D need. 5. The contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences NAICS code. 6. The contract was awarded in 2005 and completed in 2008, providing historical performance data.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables and performance metrics. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, while common for R&D, carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not rigorously overseen. Comparing this to similar R&D contracts in physical sciences would require detailed analysis of scope and outcomes. The fixed fee component provides some cost certainty for the contractor's effort, but the overall cost is variable.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This suggests a robust bidding process where multiple companies likely had the opportunity to compete. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for the research and development services required by the Department of the Interior.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of the Interior and its mission-critical research objectives in physical sciences. The contract supported research and development activities, potentially leading to advancements in scientific understanding or technological applications. The geographic impact is primarily associated with the contractor's facilities, likely in California where the award was noted. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, and support staff involved in the R&D projects.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed with strict oversight.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and effectiveness of the R&D conducted.
- The long duration of the contract could indicate potential for scope creep or evolving research needs.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and competitive process.
- The contract was completed within its stated period, indicating successful project execution.
- The fixed fee component provides a defined profit margin for the contractor, aligning incentives to some extent.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The R&D market is characterized by innovation, specialized expertise, and often long project cycles. Government spending in this area is crucial for advancing scientific knowledge and developing new technologies. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific sub-discipline of physical sciences being researched.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract awarded to Leidos, Inc., a major defense and technology contractor, it is unlikely that significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were mandated or a primary focus, unless specified within the contract's statement of work.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the contracting officers and program managers within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures would be tied to the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, requiring detailed cost reporting and justification for expenditures. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific R&D project details may be sensitive.
Related Government Programs
- Department of the Interior Research and Development Programs
- Federal Physical Science Research Contracts
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contracts
- Leidos Inc. Government Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data hinders value assessment.
- Limited information on competition details (number of bidders) affects price discovery analysis.
Tags
research-and-development, physical-sciences, engineering, life-sciences, department-of-the-interior, leidos-inc, definitive-contract, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, california, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $17.2 million to LEIDOS, INC.. GSTI
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LEIDOS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-03-08. End: 2008-10-31.
What was the specific nature of the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' conducted under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the R&D. The NAICS code 541710 covers a broad spectrum of scientific research and development services. To understand the specific work, one would need to consult the contract's statement of work (SOW) or related documentation. This could range from materials science, physics, chemistry, or engineering disciplines, depending on the Department of the Interior's research priorities at the time.
How did the final cost compare to the initial estimated cost, given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure?
The provided data does not include information on the final cost versus the estimated cost. CPFF contracts reimburse the contractor for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. While the fixed fee is set, the total cost can vary significantly based on actual expenses incurred. A detailed audit or contract close-out report would be necessary to compare final expenditures against initial projections and understand the cost variance.
What was the performance track record of Leidos, Inc. on similar R&D contracts prior to or during this period?
Assessing Leidos, Inc.'s track record requires a review of their past performance on similar government contracts. This would involve examining contract databases for on-time delivery, cost performance, quality of work, and any past performance issues or awards. Without access to detailed performance evaluations specific to this contract or comparable R&D efforts by Leidos, a definitive assessment cannot be made solely from the award data.
Were there any significant technological advancements or discoveries resulting from this $17.2 million R&D investment?
The provided data does not contain information on the outcomes or deliverables of the R&D project. Determining if significant advancements were made would require accessing project reports, publications, or testimonials related to the contract's output. Government R&D contracts aim for innovation, but the success and impact can vary widely and are often realized years after the initial research.
How does the $17.2 million total award amount compare to typical R&D spending by the Department of the Interior in physical sciences during that era?
To benchmark this $17.2 million award, one would need to analyze the Department of the Interior's historical R&D spending patterns for the mid-2000s, specifically within the physical sciences domain. This would involve looking at aggregate spending data for similar NAICS codes or research areas. Without comparative data on the scale and frequency of other R&D investments by the agency at that time, it's difficult to definitively state whether $17.2 million was a large or small investment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 611641312)
Address: 10260 CAMPUS POINT DR, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92121
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,193,120
Exercised Options: $17,193,120
Current Obligation: $17,193,120
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-03-08
Current End Date: 2008-10-31
Potential End Date: 2008-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-04-10
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