DoD's $11.2M R&D contract with Peraton Inc. for advanced research services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,197,095 ($11.2M)
Contractor: Peraton Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2005-03-30
End Date: 2009-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,645 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 999
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $11.2 million to PERATON INC. for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 3. Research and Development sector spending is crucial for technological advancement but carries inherent risks. 4. The contract duration of over 4 years indicates a significant, long-term investment. 5. Performance context is limited without specific deliverables or performance metrics. 6. Sector positioning within R&D is broad, requiring further detail on the specific research area.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this $11.2 million R&D contract is challenging without specific details on the research outcomes or comparable projects. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure means the government pays for allowable costs plus a fixed fee, which can sometimes incentivize contractors to incur more costs. However, if the fixed fee is set appropriately and costs are well-managed, it can be a reasonable approach for R&D where the final scope may evolve. Without more information on the specific research objectives and deliverables, a definitive value assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which is a specific type of full and open competition. This indicates that the solicitation was made available to all responsible sources, but certain sources were excluded for specific, documented reasons. The number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' nature suggests a robust competition was intended, which generally aids in price discovery and achieving fair market value.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even with exclusions, is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value through multiple offers. This approach helps prevent inflated pricing that might occur in less competitive scenarios.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense and potentially the broader national security apparatus through advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Services delivered involve research and development, contributing to technological innovation and capability enhancement. Geographic impact is not specified but likely concentrated around Peraton's research facilities and DoD research centers. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, and support staff involved in the R&D activities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can lead to higher final costs if not rigorously managed.
- The broad nature of 'Research and Development' makes it difficult to assess specific performance risks without defined objectives.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects if not tightly controlled.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through a full and open competition, indicating a commitment to competitive sourcing.
- The contract duration suggests a sustained effort towards achieving research goals.
- Peraton Inc. is an established government contractor, implying some level of experience and capability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541710. This sector is critical for innovation and maintaining technological superiority for government agencies, particularly in defense. Spending in this area is often characterized by long lead times, evolving requirements, and a focus on scientific discovery rather than immediate product delivery. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific sub-field of R&D, but overall federal R&D spending is in the hundreds of billions annually.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside provisions for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, it is unlikely that small businesses were specifically targeted for this award. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist at the discretion of the prime contractor, Peraton Inc., but are not mandated by the contract terms as presented. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Peraton actively engages small businesses as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Defense, likely through the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), as indicated by the 'sa' field. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's milestones, deliverables, and the fixed fee associated with the CPFF structure. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed project progress and spending reports are often considered sensitive for R&D contracts.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
- Advanced Technology Development Contracts
- Physical Sciences Research
- Engineering Sciences Research
- Life Sciences Research
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may lead to cost overruns.
- Lack of specific deliverables and performance metrics hinders performance assessment.
- Broad R&D classification makes it difficult to assess the specific risks and value.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, research-and-development, cost-plus-fixed-fee, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition, peraton-inc, virginia, large-contract, naics-541710
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $11.2 million to PERATON INC.. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PERATON 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 $11.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-03-30. End: 2009-09-30.
What specific research areas are covered under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' under NAICS code 541710. However, the specific research topics, objectives, and expected outcomes are not detailed. This broad classification suggests the research could span a wide array of scientific and technical domains relevant to national security or technological advancement. Without further documentation, such as the Statement of Work (SOW) or contract modifications, it is impossible to pinpoint the exact research areas. This lack of specificity is common in early-stage R&D contracts where exploration and discovery are primary goals.
How does the $11.2 million cost compare to similar R&D contracts in the defense sector?
Comparing the $11.2 million cost requires context regarding the scope, duration, and specific R&D field. Federal R&D spending is vast, with individual contracts ranging from a few hundred thousand to billions of dollars. For a multi-year R&D effort within the Department of Defense, $11.2 million is a moderate-sized investment. Contracts for basic research might be smaller, while those for advanced development of complex systems could be significantly larger. Benchmarking would necessitate identifying contracts with similar objectives, timelines, and technical complexities, which are not readily available from the provided summary data. The CPFF structure also means the final cost could vary.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables for this contract?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables for this contract. For Research and Development contracts, especially those using a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, deliverables often include research reports, prototypes, feasibility studies, data sets, or scientific publications. Performance is typically assessed based on the progress made towards research objectives, the quality of findings, and adherence to the research plan. Without access to the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or performance work statement (PWS), these critical details remain unknown. This lack of transparency on deliverables makes it difficult to objectively measure the contractor's success.
What is Peraton Inc.'s track record with similar DoD R&D contracts?
Peraton Inc. is a significant government contractor with a substantial portfolio across various sectors, including defense and intelligence. While the provided data confirms they were awarded this specific $11.2 million R&D contract, it does not detail their historical performance on similar projects. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing Peraton's past performance evaluations, contract history with the DoD for R&D services, and any reported issues or successes. Generally, large contractors like Peraton have experience in complex R&D, but the quality and relevance of that experience to this particular contract would need further investigation through databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System).
What is the historical spending trend for this type of R&D service within the Department of Defense?
Historical spending trends for R&D services within the Department of Defense are substantial and generally increasing, driven by the need for technological superiority. The DoD is consistently one of the largest federal funders of R&D. Specific spending patterns for 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' (NAICS 541710) fluctuate based on strategic priorities, emerging threats, and technological opportunities. While this $11.2 million contract represents a specific investment, the overall DoD R&D budget encompasses tens of billions of dollars annually across numerous contracts and programs. Analyzing trends would involve examining multi-year budget allocations and contract award data for this NAICS code or similar research categories.
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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 999
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Veritas Capital Fund Management, L.L.C.
Address: 12975 WORLDGATE DR STE 7322, HERNDON, VA, 20170
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-03-30
Current End Date: 2009-09-30
Potential End Date: 2009-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-04-02
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