DoD awards $2.59M R&D contract for ASKME software to OMNI FED LLC, emphasizing physical and engineering sciences

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,585,000 ($2.6M)

Contractor: Omni FED LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-01-30

End Date: 2026-03-24

Contract Duration: 418 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ASKME SOFTWARE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Place of Performance

Location: GAINESVILLE, PRINCE WILLIAM County, VIRGINIA, 20155

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.6 million to OMNI FED LLC for work described as: ASKME SOFTWARE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized R&D services in physical and engineering sciences. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Contract duration of over a year allows for thorough development and testing. 5. The contract falls within the broad R&D category, indicating investment in future capabilities. 6. Focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences aligns with critical defense research needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.59 million for a 418-day period for research and development is within a reasonable range for specialized software application requirements. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in physical and engineering sciences suggests that this pricing is competitive, especially given the full and open competition. The firm fixed-price nature further enhances value by capping the government's financial exposure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. While the number of bidders is not specified, this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which is expected to drive down costs and improve the quality of proposals. The Navy's approach suggests a commitment to leveraging the broadest possible market for this R&D effort.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value through a wider pool of potential contractors and more competitive pricing.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Navy, will benefit from the development of the ASKME software application. The contract will deliver research and development services focused on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The primary geographic impact is expected to be within the United States, supporting defense innovation. The contract may have implications for a specialized workforce in software development and scientific research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in R&D projects if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on contractor's expertise in specialized physical and engineering sciences.
Risk of technology obsolescence if development timelines are extended or market shifts occur.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Contract duration allows for comprehensive development and testing phases.
Focus on R&D aligns with strategic defense modernization goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, excluding nanotechnology and biotechnology. This is a critical area for defense innovation, enabling the development of advanced technologies and solutions. Spending in this sector is often characterized by long-term investment and high technical complexity. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within broader R&D categories for defense agencies, often involving significant sums dedicated to scientific advancement.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions, nor is there information suggesting subcontracting goals for small businesses. As a full and open competition, it allows all eligible businesses, including small businesses, to compete. However, without explicit set-aside requirements, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless OMNI FED LLC voluntarily engages small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Navy contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, requiring delivery of specified outcomes. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed project progress reports may be internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Navy Software Development Initiatives
Physical and Engineering Sciences Research Contracts
Advanced Technology Development Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in R&D projects
Contractor's technical expertise in specialized scientific fields
Risk of technology obsolescence during development lifecycle

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.6 million to OMNI FED LLC. ASKME SOFTWARE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OMNI FED LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-30. End: 2026-03-24.

What is the specific nature of the 'ASKME' software application requirements and its intended use within the Department of the Navy?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'ASKME SOFTWARE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS' within the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)' NAICS code. While the specific functionalities of the ASKME application are not detailed, its R&D nature suggests it is likely intended to explore, develop, or test novel capabilities. This could range from advanced simulation tools, data analysis platforms for scientific research, or experimental software for engineering applications. The Department of the Navy's interest in this area points towards a need for enhanced research capabilities to support its technological advancements and operational requirements in physical and engineering domains.

How does the contract value of $2.59 million compare to typical R&D contracts in the physical and engineering sciences sector?

The contract value of $2.59 million for a 418-day period (approximately 1.15 years) for R&D in physical and engineering sciences is a moderate-sized award. R&D contracts can vary significantly in cost, from small, targeted research grants to multi-year, multi-million dollar programs. For specialized software application requirements within this domain, this value suggests a focused effort rather than a large-scale, multi-disciplinary program. Benchmarking against similar contracts awarded by agencies like the DoD, DARPA, or NSF for specific research projects or prototype development would provide a more precise comparison. However, given the full and open competition and firm fixed-price nature, the value appears to be a reasonable investment for the intended research outcomes.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for R&D, particularly for software development?

While firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts offer cost certainty, they can introduce risks in R&D and software development if not managed carefully. A primary risk is that the contractor may cut corners on quality or scope to maintain profitability if unforeseen technical challenges arise or if the initial cost estimates were too low. For R&D, the inherent uncertainty in achieving specific technical goals can make FFP challenging; if the contractor cannot achieve the required outcomes within the fixed price, they may face losses. Conversely, if the contractor significantly underestimates the effort, they might be incentivized to deliver a less robust or feature-rich product than initially envisioned to stay within budget. Clear, detailed, and well-defined requirements are crucial to mitigate these risks in an FFP R&D software contract.

What does the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' classification imply about the contract's objectives?

The classification 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)' signifies that this contract is focused on advancing scientific knowledge and developing new technologies within these fundamental scientific disciplines. This implies the contract's objectives are likely geared towards innovation, discovery, and the creation of novel solutions or capabilities. For the Department of the Navy, this could translate into developing advanced materials, improving engineering processes, creating sophisticated analytical tools, or exploring new scientific principles that have potential military applications. The exclusion of nanotechnology and biotechnology suggests a specific focus on other areas within the broader scientific landscape.

What is the track record of OMNI FED LLC in securing and executing government R&D contracts, particularly in the physical and engineering sciences?

Information regarding OMNI FED LLC's specific track record in securing and executing government R&D contracts within the physical and engineering sciences is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing the company's past performance on similar contracts, including client feedback, project success rates, and adherence to timelines and budgets. Government contract databases and past performance reviews would be the primary sources for this information. Without this context, it is difficult to definitively assess their capabilities and reliability for this specific R&D effort. However, being awarded a contract under full and open competition suggests they met the initial eligibility and qualification criteria.

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: BASIC RESEARCH

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7528 RIO GRANDE WAY, GAINESVILLE, VA, 20155

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,835,000

Exercised Options: $2,585,000

Current Obligation: $2,585,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA228024G0004

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline