Navy awards $16.4M for biomedical research, with Leidos Inc. as prime contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,404,176 ($16.4M)

Contractor: Leidos, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2006-09-01

End Date: 2012-08-31

Contract Duration: 2,191 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: 200612!015162!1700!N00140!FLEET AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CENT!N0014006C0084 !A!N! !Y! ! !20060901!20070831!148095086!148095086!054781240!N!SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATI!10260 CAMPUS POINT DR !SAN DIEGO !CA!92121!34180!011!09!GROTON !NEW LONDON !CONN !+000000050000!N!N!000017491238!AN12!RDTE/BIOMEDICAL - APPLIED RESEARCH !S1 !SERVICES !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !D!U!U!1!001!N!1A!Z!Y!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!A!A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! !1718!N00140!0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $16.4 million to LEIDOS, INC. for work described as: 200612!015162!1700!N00140!FLEET AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CENT!N0014006C0084 !A!N! !Y! ! !20060901!20070831!148095086!148095086!054781240!N!SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATI!10260 CAMPUS POINT DR !SAN DIEGO !CA!92121!34180!011!09!GROTON !NEW … Key points: 1. Contract awarded for applied biomedical research services. 2. Significant duration of over 6 years for service delivery. 3. Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type suggests potential for cost overruns. 4. Prime contractor, Leidos Inc., has a substantial presence in federal contracting. 5. Research and Development sector, specifically biomedical applications, is a key area of federal investment. 6. Contract falls under the Department of Defense's broad R&D portfolio.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The awarded amount of $16.4 million for over six years of service suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking this against similar biomedical research contracts is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, while common for R&D, can lead to higher final costs than fixed-price contracts if not managed tightly. The value proposition depends heavily on the successful outcomes of the research conducted.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies a competitive process but with specific exclusions. The exact reasons for these exclusions are not detailed, making it difficult to assess the breadth of competition. A limited competition can sometimes result in less favorable pricing for the government compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of certain sources may have limited the number of potential bidders, potentially impacting the government's ability to secure the most competitive pricing.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Defense by advancing biomedical research capabilities. Services delivered include applied research in biomedical fields. Geographic impact is primarily tied to the contractor's location and research facilities. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, researchers, and support staff involved in the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type can lead to cost uncertainty.
  • Limited competition may have restricted price discovery.
  • Long contract duration increases exposure to changing research needs and economic conditions.

Positive Signals

  • Award to a large, established contractor like Leidos Inc. suggests a degree of reliability.
  • Focus on biomedical R&D aligns with critical national security and health interests.
  • Contract duration allows for sustained research efforts and potential for significant breakthroughs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on biomedical applications. The federal government is a significant investor in R&D, particularly within defense and healthcare. The NAICS code 541710 covers Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Comparable spending benchmarks would require analysis of other DoD biomedical research contracts.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting plans specifically targeting small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a large prime contractor, potentially limiting direct opportunities for small businesses in this specific contract vehicle.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance metrics outlined in the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, but detailed project progress and financial expenditures may be less publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

  • Department of Defense Research and Development
  • Biomedical Research Programs
  • Naval Research Laboratory Contracts
  • Science and Technology Development Contracts

Risk Flags

  • Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.
  • Limited competition may have resulted in suboptimal pricing.
  • Specific research outcomes and their impact are not detailed, making value assessment difficult.

Tags

department-of-defense, department-of-the-navy, research-and-development, biomedical-research, applied-research, cost-plus-fixed-fee, definitive-contract, leidos-inc, limited-competition, science-and-technology, federal-contracting, rdte

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $16.4 million to LEIDOS, INC.. 200612!015162!1700!N00140!FLEET AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CENT!N0014006C0084 !A!N! !Y! ! !20060901!20070831!148095086!148095086!054781240!N!SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATI!10260 CAMPUS POINT DR !SAN DIEGO !CA!92121!34180!011!09!GROTON !NEW LONDON !CONN !+000000050000!N!N!000017491238!AN12!RDTE/BIOMEDICAL - APPLIED RESEARCH !S1 !SERVICES !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !999

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LEIDOS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-09-01. End: 2012-08-31.

What specific biomedical research areas were prioritized under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'RDTE/BIOMEDICAL - APPLIED RESEARCH'. However, the specific sub-disciplines or research areas within biomedical science are not detailed in the extract. Typically, applied biomedical research within the Department of Defense could encompass areas such as combat casualty care, infectious disease countermeasures, medical material development, or human performance optimization. Further investigation into the contract's statement of work or associated task orders would be necessary to identify the precise research priorities.

How does the $16.4 million contract value compare to other similar biomedical R&D contracts awarded by the Navy?

Comparing the $16.4 million contract value requires context on the duration and scope. This contract spans over six years (September 1, 2006, to August 31, 2012), making the average annual value approximately $2.7 million. This figure is moderate for large-scale R&D efforts. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze a portfolio of Navy biomedical R&D contracts awarded within a similar timeframe, considering factors like research complexity, specific scientific domains, and the number of bidders. Without such a comparative analysis, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents high or low spending relative to peers.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts, especially in R&D, typically tie performance to the achievement of specific research milestones, deliverables, and technical objectives rather than strict cost adherence, as the fee is fixed. Key performance indicators would likely include the successful completion of research phases, delivery of prototypes or data, adherence to research protocols, and timely reporting of findings. The government's contracting officer and technical monitors would assess progress against the defined Statement of Work (SOW) and any associated task orders. Failure to meet technical objectives could result in contract termination or non-payment of the fixed fee.

What is Leidos Inc.'s track record in performing similar biomedical research contracts for the federal government?

Leidos, Inc. (and its predecessor entities) has a significant and extensive track record in performing a wide array of research and development, IT, and support services for the federal government, including the Department of Defense and various health agencies. Their experience in biomedical research is substantial, often involving complex scientific challenges and large-scale projects. A detailed review of their past performance evaluations, contract history databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov), and specific project outcomes would be necessary to fully assess their capabilities and success rates in comparable biomedical R&D contracts. However, their status as a major federal contractor suggests a generally robust capability.

What was the rationale for the 'Exclusion of Sources' in this 'Full and Open Competition' award?

The designation 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' indicates that while the solicitation was broadly advertised, certain potential sources were intentionally excluded from consideration. The specific rationale for these exclusions is not provided in the basic data. Common reasons for such exclusions can include requirements for specific security clearances, proprietary technology access, unique capabilities possessed by only a few entities, or prior work that makes them uniquely qualified. Without further documentation (e.g., Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition - JOFOC), the precise reasoning remains unclear, but it implies a deliberate narrowing of the competitive pool based on specific criteria.

How has federal spending on biomedical R&D evolved since this contract was awarded?

Federal spending on biomedical R&D has generally seen an upward trend since the period of this contract (2006-2012), driven by factors such as national health priorities (e.g., pandemic preparedness, cancer research), advancements in technology, and national security needs. Agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DoD) consistently allocate significant budgets to biomedical research. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on appropriations and strategic shifts, the overall investment in this sector has remained a priority, often increasing in response to emerging threats and opportunities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTN – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Science Applications International Corporation (UEI: 078745061)

Address: 10260 CAMPUS POINT DR, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92121

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2006-09-01

Current End Date: 2012-08-31

Potential End Date: 2012-08-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2021-07-29

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