DoD Awards Penn State $2.5M for R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,517,750 ($2.5M)
Contractor: THE Pennsylvania State University
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-01-27
End Date: 2028-08-07
Contract Duration: 1,288 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: EMC FY25 PROJECT TASK ORDER
Place of Performance
Location: UNIVERSITY PARK, CENTRE County, PENNSYLVANIA, 16802
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $2.5 million to THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY for work described as: EMC FY25 PROJECT TASK ORDER Key points: 1. The contract focuses on research and development within physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Awarded to The Pennsylvania State University, indicating a focus on academic research partnerships. 3. The contract value is $2,517,750, with a duration of 1288 days. 4. This falls under NAICS code 541715, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 5. The contract was awarded under full and open competition.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.5M for a multi-year R&D effort appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale university research contracts would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for soliciting proposals and selecting the best value. This method generally leads to competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to yield fair pricing, ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently for critical research.
Public Impact
Advancement of scientific knowledge in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Potential for technological innovations and discoveries stemming from the research. Support for academic research institutions and their contributions to national capabilities. Long-term impact on various sectors through research outcomes.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in long-term R&D projects.
- Ensuring clear deliverables and milestones for fixed-fee contracts.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institution.
- Full and open competition process.
- Clear research area defined.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically for physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation and national security, with significant government investment annually.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to a large university and does not appear to involve small business participation directly. Future contracts may explore opportunities for small businesses in specialized research areas or subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Navy's oversight will be critical to ensure the R&D project stays on track, meets objectives, and adheres to the cost-plus fixed-fee structure. Regular reporting and milestone reviews are standard oversight mechanisms.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for research to yield unexpected or inconclusive results.
- Long project duration increases risk of changing technological landscapes.
- Ensuring effective knowledge transfer from academia to practical application.
- Managing intellectual property rights for research outcomes.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, pa, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $2.5 million to THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY. EMC FY25 PROJECT TASK ORDER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-01-27. End: 2028-08-07.
What are the specific research objectives and expected outcomes of this R&D effort?
The specific research objectives and expected outcomes are not detailed in the provided data. However, given the NAICS code 541715, the project likely aims to advance fundamental or applied scientific knowledge in areas such as materials science, engineering principles, or biological processes. The Department of the Navy would have defined these objectives in the solicitation documents to align with strategic research priorities.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract to measure success?
Key performance indicators for this R&D contract would likely focus on the successful completion of research milestones, the quality and novelty of findings, adherence to the research plan, and timely delivery of reports. For a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, managing costs within the fixed fee while achieving research goals is also a critical performance measure.
How will the research findings be transitioned or utilized by the Department of Defense?
The transition and utilization of research findings will depend on the specific outcomes and their relevance to DoD's technological needs. Potential pathways include further development, integration into existing systems, or informing future acquisition strategies. The contract likely includes provisions for reporting and potential intellectual property rights that facilitate this transition.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 201 OLD MAIN, UNIVERSITY PARK, PA, 16802
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $7,673,497
Exercised Options: $7,673,497
Current Obligation: $2,517,750
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0001421D7003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-01-27
Current End Date: 2028-08-07
Potential End Date: 2028-08-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-12
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