Marine Corps Awards $417M Contract for Research and Development Services to American Institutes for Research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,733,097 ($15.7M)

Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2003-01-10

End Date: 2008-07-08

Contract Duration: 2,006 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Sector: R&D

Official Description: 200310!000160!1700!F0264 !MARINE CORPS COMBAT DEVELOPMENT !M0026403C0002 !A!N! !N! !20030110!20031217!041733197!041733197!041733197!N!AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEAR!1000 THOMAS JEFFERSON STRE!WASHINGTON !DC!20007!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA !D.C. !+000000262500!N!N!000007500000!R499!OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541720!E! !1! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !N!Z!D!U!Y!1!001!N!3A!A!N!Z! ! !N!Z!N! ! ! ! ! !A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20374

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.7 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: 200310!000160!1700!F0264 !MARINE CORPS COMBAT DEVELOPMENT !M0026403C0002 !A!N! !N! !20030110!20031217!041733197!041733197!041733197!N!AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEAR!1000 THOMAS JEFFERSON STRE!WASHINGTON !DC!20007!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTR… Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $417,331,970, is for research and development in social sciences and humanities. 2. Awarded to American Institutes for Research, this contract represents a significant investment in understanding human behavior and societal dynamics. 3. The 'NOT COMPETED' status raises questions about the procurement process and potential missed opportunities for cost savings. 4. The sector is R&D, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities, a niche but important area for military strategy and personnel development.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $417,331,970 is substantial. Without comparable contracts for similar R&D services in social sciences and humanities, it is difficult to assess if this pricing is competitive or represents good value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed, indicating a limited competition approach. This method may not have explored the full range of available providers or secured the most cost-effective solution for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers if alternative, more affordable solutions were available.

Public Impact

Significant taxpayer funds allocated to specialized research, potentially influencing military policy and operations. Focus on social sciences and humanities research suggests a long-term strategic investment in understanding human factors. The non-competitive award raises concerns about transparency and potential for inflated costs impacting public funds.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
High contract value
Long contract duration (implied by start/end dates)

Positive Signals

Supports critical R&D in social sciences
Potential for valuable insights into military effectiveness

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities (NAICS 541720). Spending in this area supports the development of new knowledge and technologies that can inform policy and strategy.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract award. The focus appears to be on a specialized research institution, potentially excluding smaller, innovative firms.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'NOT COMPETED' status warrants further oversight to ensure the justification for limited competition was sound and that the pricing is reasonable. Accountability for the procurement decision is crucial.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
High contract value
Potential for cost overruns
Limited transparency in procurement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.7 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. 200310!000160!1700!F0264 !MARINE CORPS COMBAT DEVELOPMENT !M0026403C0002 !A!N! !N! !20030110!20031217!041733197!041733197!041733197!N!AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEAR!1000 THOMAS JEFFERSON STRE!WASHINGTON !DC!20007!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA !D.C. !+000000262500!N!N!000007500000!R499!OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541720!E! !1! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-01-10. End: 2008-07-08.

What specific research objectives does this contract aim to achieve, and how will their successful completion benefit the Marine Corps?

This contract supports research and development in social sciences and humanities. While specific objectives are not detailed, such research typically aims to improve understanding of human behavior, cultural dynamics, and societal trends relevant to military operations, personnel management, and strategic planning. Successful outcomes could lead to enhanced training, improved troop morale, more effective communication strategies, and better-informed policy decisions.

What are the risks associated with awarding a large contract without full and open competition?

Awarding a large contract without full and open competition carries several risks. It can lead to higher prices due to a lack of market pressure, potentially limit access to innovative solutions from a wider pool of vendors, and raise concerns about fairness and transparency in the procurement process. There's also a risk that the chosen contractor may not be the most qualified or cost-effective option available.

How will the effectiveness of the research conducted under this contract be measured and evaluated?

The effectiveness of research under this contract would typically be measured through defined milestones, deliverables, and final reports that address the stated research objectives. Evaluation would likely involve subject matter experts within the Marine Corps or DoD assessing the quality, relevance, and applicability of the findings. Success metrics could include the integration of research insights into policy or training, or demonstrable improvements in areas studied.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Offers Received: 1

Contractor Details

Address: 1000 THOMAS JEFFERSON STRE, WASHINGTON, DC, 20007

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline