DoD's $184.7M Superconductor Tech Contract Awarded to Clearday Inc. via Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,878,328 ($12.9M)

Contractor: Clearday Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2000-01-10

End Date: 2004-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,724 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: 200008!9700!000276!ZD72 !DARPA CONTRACT MANAGEMENT DIR. !MDA97200C0010 !A!*!* !20000110!20010709!184764447!184764447!184764447!N!0EYH7!SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES IN!460 WARD DR SUITE F !SANTA BARBARA !CA!93111!69070!083!06!SANTA BARBARA !SANTA BARBARA !CALIFORNIA!0001!+000003400000!N!N!000000000000!AD92!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-APPLIED RESEARCH !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPME!1000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !8731!3!*!*!*!B!A!*!A !N!U!2!002!E!* !Z!Y!Z!* !* !N!B!N!A!*!A!A!A!A!* !*!N!A!B!N!*!*!*!*!*!

Place of Performance

Location: AUSTIN, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78754

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $12.9 million to CLEARDAY INC for work described as: 200008!9700!000276!ZD72 !DARPA CONTRACT MANAGEMENT DIR. !MDA97200C0010 !A!*!* !20000110!20010709!184764447!184764447!184764447!N!0EYH7!SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES IN!460 WARD DR SUITE F !SANTA BARBARA !CA!93111!69070!083!06!SANTA BARBARA !SAN… Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $184.7 million, focuses on superconductor technologies. 2. Awarded by the Department of Defense, it falls under Research and Development. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contractor, Clearday Inc., is based in Santa Barbara, CA. 5. The contract duration is approximately 4.7 years.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $184.7 million for superconductor technology is substantial. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contracts for similar R&D in this niche field, assessing its value for money is difficult. The pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) can lead to cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This method generally promotes competitive pricing, but the specific price discovery mechanism for this R&D contract is not detailed.

Taxpayer Impact: The significant investment of $184.7 million in superconductor technology represents a substantial allocation of taxpayer funds towards advanced research and development.

Public Impact

Advancement in superconductor technology could have broad applications in energy, transportation, and computing. Investment in R&D signals a commitment to technological innovation by the Department of Defense. The success of this contract could lead to breakthroughs with significant economic and national security implications. Potential for job creation in the high-tech sector related to superconductor development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
Long contract duration increases exposure to potential cost escalations.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Focus on cutting-edge superconductor technology.
Significant investment in R&D.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced physical sciences. The $184.7 million award is a significant investment, and benchmarks for R&D contracts can vary widely based on the specific technology and project scope.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved as prime contractors or significant subcontractors in this award. The focus appears to be on specialized R&D capabilities likely held by larger entities.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Defense, through its contracting arms like DARPA and DCMA, is responsible for oversight. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates close monitoring of costs and progress to ensure accountability and prevent waste.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Department of Defense Contracting
Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Lack of specific performance metrics.
Long contract duration.
Potential for cost overruns.
Limited visibility into specific technological advancements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $12.9 million to CLEARDAY INC. 200008!9700!000276!ZD72 !DARPA CONTRACT MANAGEMENT DIR. !MDA97200C0010 !A!*!* !20000110!20010709!184764447!184764447!184764447!N!0EYH7!SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES IN!460 WARD DR SUITE F !SANTA BARBARA !CA!93111!69070!083!06!SANTA BARBARA !SANTA BARBARA !CALIFORNIA!0001!+000003400000!N!N!000000000000!AD92!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-APPLIED RESEARCH !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPME!1000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !8731!3!*!*!*!B!A!*!A !N!U!

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CLEARDAY INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2000-01-10. End: 2004-09-29.

What specific superconductor technologies are being developed, and what are the expected performance improvements or applications?

The data does not specify the exact nature of the superconductor technologies. However, advancements in this field typically aim for higher critical temperatures, increased current density, or novel material properties. Potential applications include more efficient power grids, advanced medical imaging (MRI), high-speed computing, and next-generation defense systems like magnetic levitation or advanced sensors.

How will the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure be managed to ensure cost efficiency and prevent contractor overspending on this R&D project?

Effective management of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract requires robust oversight from the contracting agency. This includes detailed auditing of incurred costs, regular progress reviews against milestones, and clear communication channels to address any deviations promptly. The fixed fee component provides some incentive for the contractor to control costs, but the government bears the risk of cost overruns.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will they be measured to determine the success of the superconductor technology development?

The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for R&D contracts, KPIs would relate to achieving certain technical milestones, demonstrating specific material properties (e.g., critical temperature, magnetic field tolerance), successful prototype development, or meeting defined performance targets for a particular application. Regular technical reviews and testing would be crucial for measuring progress.

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 › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Contractor Details

Address: 9101 WALL ST STE 1300, AUSTIN, TX, 78754

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline