DoD Awards $87.7M Contract to Nova Research Inc. for Physical Sciences Research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,099,095 ($19.1M)

Contractor: Nova Research, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2002-03-08

End Date: 2007-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,032 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200206!004047!1700!E3220 !NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY !N0017302C2010 !A!N! !N! !20020308!20030307!876851957!876851957!876851957!N!NOVA RESEARCH INC !1900 ELKIN ST STE 230 !ALEXANDRIA !VA!22308!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA !D.C. !+000000156250!N!N!000019450667!AJ11!RDTE/PHYSICAL SCIENCES - BASIC RESEARCH !A3 !SHIPS !2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !A!U!U!2!002!K! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!B!N!N! ! !Z! !B!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001!

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22308

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.1 million to NOVA RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: 200206!004047!1700!E3220 !NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY !N0017302C2010 !A!N! !N! !20020308!20030307!876851957!876851957!876851957!N!NOVA RESEARCH INC !1900 ELKIN ST STE 230 !ALEXANDRIA !VA!22308!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTR… Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $87.7 million, is for Research and Development in Physical Sciences. 2. Nova Research Inc. secured this contract through full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 3. The contract duration is 2032 days, indicating a long-term project. 4. The sector is Defense, with a specific focus on Ships. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541710, for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value is $87,685,195.70. Without specific benchmarks for similar R&D contracts in physical sciences for naval applications, a precise pricing assessment is difficult. However, the contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed carefully.

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.' This suggests that while competition was sought, some potential sources may have been excluded, potentially impacting the breadth of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The $87.7 million awarded represents taxpayer investment in advanced research and development, with the expectation of technological advancements benefiting national security.

Public Impact

This contract supports research in physical sciences, potentially leading to advancements in naval technology. The duration of the contract suggests a sustained commitment to research and development in this area. The award to Nova Research Inc. highlights the role of private sector contractors in supporting government R&D initiatives. The specific application area 'Ships' indicates a focus on naval capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Competition method 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' warrants further investigation into the exclusion criteria.
The long contract duration (2032 days) requires robust oversight to ensure continued relevance and efficiency.

Positive Signals

Award to a single entity for specialized R&D can foster deep expertise.
The contract supports critical research and development for the Department of Defense.
The contract is for basic research, which can lead to foundational breakthroughs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically supporting research and development in physical sciences relevant to naval applications. Spending benchmarks for this type of specialized R&D can vary widely based on the specific scientific domain and project scope.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether Nova Research Inc. is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Defense, managed by the Naval Research Laboratory, and administered by the Defense Contract Management Agency. Oversight will be crucial to manage costs and ensure deliverables align with research objectives.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF contract type.
Limited transparency on the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition.
Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Specific research outcomes are not detailed, making direct value assessment challenging.
Reliance on a single contractor for specialized R&D.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.1 million to NOVA RESEARCH, INC.. 200206!004047!1700!E3220 !NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY !N0017302C2010 !A!N! !N! !20020308!20030307!876851957!876851957!876851957!N!NOVA RESEARCH INC !1900 ELKIN ST STE 230 !ALEXANDRIA !VA!22308!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA !D.C. !+000000156250!N!N!000019450667!AJ11!RDTE/PHYSICAL SCIENCES - BASIC RESEARCH !A3 !SHIPS !2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOVA RESEARCH, 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 $19.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2002-03-08. End: 2007-09-30.

What specific technological advancements are anticipated from this physical sciences research for naval applications?

The contract focuses on 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' with a specific application area of 'Ships.' While the exact advancements are not detailed, this could encompass areas like advanced materials, propulsion systems, sensor technology, or underwater acoustics, all crucial for enhancing naval capabilities and maintaining technological superiority.

How will the 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' contract structure be managed to mitigate potential cost overruns and ensure value for taxpayer money?

Effective management of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract requires stringent oversight of allowable costs, regular performance reviews, and clear communication between the government and the contractor. The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) will play a key role in auditing costs and ensuring the contractor adheres to the agreed-upon fixed fee and project scope, preventing uncontrolled spending.

What is the strategic importance of this long-term investment in basic research for the Department of Defense?

Investing in basic research, even over a long duration, is critical for the Department of Defense to foster foundational scientific understanding that can lead to disruptive technologies. This long-term approach allows for exploration of novel concepts without immediate application pressure, ensuring a pipeline of future capabilities that can address emerging threats and maintain a strategic advantage.

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 › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Contractor Details

Address: 1900 ELKIN ST STE 230, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22308

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline