Over $36.5M Awarded to Ohio State University for R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,535,014 ($36.5M)

Contractor: Ohio State University Research Foundation, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2003-11-17

End Date: 2008-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,871 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: OTHER PORFESSIONAL SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20210

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Labor obligated $36.5 million to OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE for work described as: OTHER PORFESSIONAL SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of over 5 years indicates a significant, long-term research endeavor. 3. Awarded to a university research foundation, highlighting academic-government partnerships in R&D. 4. The contract type is a definitive contract, typically used for complex or long-term requirements. 5. The primary service category is R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, a critical sector for innovation. 6. The contract was awarded in 2003, providing a historical perspective on federal R&D investment.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables or performance metrics. However, the substantial award amount over a five-year period suggests a significant investment in research. Comparing it to similar large-scale R&D grants to universities would provide better context. The absence of detailed performance data makes a definitive value assessment difficult, but the duration and scope imply a substantial commitment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offering. The open competition suggests a desire for a broad range of potential solutions and providers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and better pricing.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Ohio State University Research Foundation, which will conduct the research. The services delivered are research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences, contributing to scientific advancement. The geographic impact is primarily centered in Ohio, where the university is located, but the research findings can have national or global implications. The contract supports academic researchers and potentially graduate students, contributing to the scientific workforce development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and value for money.
The long duration without clear interim reporting requirements could pose a risk to project oversight.
Potential for scope creep in long-term R&D projects if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a potentially robust selection process.
Significant investment in R&D aligns with national priorities for scientific and technological advancement.
Partnership with a major research university leverages academic expertise for government objectives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a broad and critical area for innovation and national competitiveness. Federal spending in R&D is substantial, with significant portions allocated to universities and research institutions to advance scientific knowledge and develop new technologies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large federal R&D grants awarded to academic institutions for similar scientific domains.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides. As a large research grant to a university, it is unlikely to have direct subcontracting opportunities specifically targeted at small businesses unless the research itself requires specialized services that are then subcontracted. The primary focus is on the research capabilities of the prime awardee.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Labor's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management. Oversight mechanisms would likely involve periodic progress reports, financial reviews, and potentially site visits to ensure research is conducted according to the terms of the award. Transparency is generally maintained through reporting requirements, though specific details of research findings may be subject to publication schedules or proprietary considerations.

Related Government Programs

National Science Foundation Research Grants
National Institutes of Health Research Grants
Department of Energy Research Programs
Department of Defense Research and Development Contracts

Risk Flags

Long-term R&D projects can face uncertainty in achieving desired outcomes.
Potential for budget overruns in complex research endeavors.
Need for robust oversight to ensure research integrity and progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $36.5 million to OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE. OTHER PORFESSIONAL SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Labor (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $36.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-11-17. End: 2008-12-31.

What specific research areas within physical, engineering, and life sciences were prioritized under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract's North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541710, which covers 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology Industrial Research and Development).' However, the specific sub-disciplines or research priorities are not detailed in the summary data. Typically, such broad R&D contracts with universities are awarded based on proposals that outline specific research questions, methodologies, and expected outcomes. These could range from fundamental physics research to applied engineering solutions or biomedical investigations. Further details would likely be found in the original contract award documents or associated project descriptions.

How does the $36.5 million award compare to typical federal R&D spending for a single university research foundation?

The $36.5 million award over approximately five years represents a significant but not unprecedented level of federal funding for a major research university. Federal agencies like the NSF, NIH, DOE, and DOD routinely award grants and contracts in the tens of millions of dollars to institutions for large-scale research initiatives. The Ohio State University Research Foundation, as a major research institution, would be competitive for such awards. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to benchmark this against other similar awards made by the Department of Labor or other agencies to peer institutions during the same period, considering the specific research domains.

What were the key performance indicators or milestones expected from this contract?

The summary data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones for this contract. For R&D contracts, especially those awarded to universities, performance is often measured by the successful completion of research objectives, publication of findings in peer-reviewed journals, presentation of results at scientific conferences, and the development of intellectual property. The original contract documents would contain detailed statements of work, deliverables, and reporting requirements that define the expected performance and milestones.

What is the track record of the Ohio State University Research Foundation in managing federal R&D contracts?

The Ohio State University Research Foundation (OSU RF) is a well-established entity that manages research activities and intellectual property for The Ohio State University. As a major public research university, OSU RF has a long history of successfully competing for and managing substantial federal research grants and contracts across various scientific disciplines. They have a robust infrastructure for research administration, compliance, and financial management. While specific performance metrics for all past contracts are not publicly detailed in this summary, their continued ability to secure significant federal funding indicates a strong track record in managing complex research endeavors and meeting federal requirements.

Were there any specific risks identified during the procurement process for this contract?

The provided summary data does not detail any specific risks identified during the procurement process for this contract. For a full and open competition, potential risks are typically assessed during the proposal evaluation phase. These could include technical risks (e.g., feasibility of proposed research), management risks (e.g., contractor's ability to manage the project), and cost risks (e.g., reasonableness of the proposed budget). The fact that the contract was awarded suggests that the evaluating agency found the risks to be acceptable or manageable based on the proposals received.

How does this contract align with the Department of Labor's strategic research objectives?

The alignment of this contract with the Department of Labor's (DOL) strategic research objectives is not immediately clear from the provided summary data, as the NAICS code (541710) points to general R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences, rather than specific labor-related research. However, the DOL does fund research that can indirectly support its mission. For example, research in engineering and life sciences could lead to advancements in workplace safety, ergonomics, or the development of new industries that create jobs. The specific research conducted under this contract would need to be examined to determine its direct or indirect relevance to DOL's mission areas, such as workforce development, worker protection, and economic security.

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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1960 KENNY ROAD, COLUMBUS, OH, 43210

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,347,322

Exercised Options: $44,347,322

Current Obligation: $36,535,014

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline