DoD's $11.3M Naval Research Contract Awarded to American Institutes for Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,293,460 ($11.3M)
Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2001-09-28
End Date: 2006-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,736 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: 200510!003898!1700!N00173!NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY !N0017304C2056 !A!N! !N! !P00011!20050720!20061230!041733197!041733197!041733197!N!AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEAR!1000 THOMAS JEFFERSON ST !WASHINGTON !DC!20007!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA !D.C. !+000000448130!N!N!000000000000!AD92!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-APPLIED RESEARCH !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT !000 !* !541710!E! !3! ! !C! ! !20200930!B! ! !A! !A!N!U!2!004!E! !Z!Y!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!Z!A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! !1700!N00173!0001! !
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20375
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $11.3 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: 200510!003898!1700!N00173!NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY !N0017304C2056 !A!N! !N! !P00011!20050720!20061230!041733197!041733197!041733197!N!AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEAR!1000 THOMAS JEFFERSON ST !WASHINGTON !DC!20007!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DIST… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns. 4. The sector is R&D, a critical area for defense innovation.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $11.3 million over approximately 1.7 years is moderate. Without specific benchmarks for similar R&D contracts, a precise pricing assessment is difficult, but the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure warrants scrutiny.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure may limit the direct impact of competition on final cost.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical defense research. While competition is present, the contract type necessitates careful oversight to ensure cost efficiency.
Public Impact
Supports advancements in naval technology and capabilities. Funds research that could have broader applications beyond defense. Contributes to the scientific and technological base of the nation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 65 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Contract duration of over 1.5 years requires ongoing monitoring.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical R&D for the Department of Defense.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority but requires careful management to ensure value for money.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities for small business participation were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Navy. Oversight would typically involve program managers and contracting officers ensuring adherence to contract terms and performance standards.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Potential for cost overruns.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
- Longer contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, dc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $11.3 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. 200510!003898!1700!N00173!NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY !N0017304C2056 !A!N! !N! !P00011!20050720!20061230!041733197!041733197!041733197!N!AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEAR!1000 THOMAS JEFFERSON ST !WASHINGTON !DC!20007!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA !D.C. !+000000448130!N!N!000000000000!AD92!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-APPLIED RESEARCH !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT !000 !* !541710!E! !3! ! !C! ! !202
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $11.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2001-09-28. End: 2006-06-30.
What specific research outcomes were achieved, and did they align with the initial objectives and projected value?
The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the tangible research outcomes delivered by American Institutes for Research. A thorough review of project reports, milestones met, and any resulting innovations or technological advancements would be necessary to assess if the $11.3 million investment yielded the expected value and contributed to the Naval Research Laboratory's strategic goals.
How did the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure impact the final cost compared to other potential contract types for this R&D effort?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure allows the contractor to recover all allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. While suitable for R&D where costs are uncertain, it can reduce the contractor's incentive to control costs. Comparing the final cost and fee to what might have been achieved under a fixed-price or cost-plus-incentive-fee contract would reveal the financial implications of this choice.
Were there any performance issues or cost overruns during the contract period that impacted its overall effectiveness?
Assessing the effectiveness requires examining the contractor's performance against the statement of work and any established metrics. Information on whether the project was completed on time, within budget (considering the CPFF structure), and met quality standards is crucial. Any deviations or significant issues would directly impact the perceived value and success of the R&D investment.
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
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1000 THOMAS JEFFERSON ST, WASHINGTON, DC, 20007
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,173,696
Exercised Options: $16,173,696
Current Obligation: $11,293,460
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2001-09-28
Current End Date: 2006-06-30
Potential End Date: 2006-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-04-07
More Contracts from American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
- Education Statistics Services Institute - Statistics — $99.6M (Department of Education)
- THE National Assessment of Educational Progress (naep) IS Required to Provide, in a Timely Manner, a Fair and Accurate Measurement of Educational Achievement in Reading, Mathematics, and Other Content Areas Including Writing, Science, History, Geography, Civics, Economics, Foreign Languages and the Arts. the Assessments ARE Representative of the Nation, Regions, and Where Appropriate, States AT Grades 4, 8, and 12. Naep Shall Also Report on National Long Term Trend Assessments in Reading and Mathematics for Students AT Ages 9, 13, and 17. Naep IS Administered by the Assessment Division (AD) Within the National Center of Education Statistics (nces) — $98.6M (Department of Education)
- Marketplace Operations Support (MOS) — $46.2M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- This Contract IS to Evaluate the Impact of Offering Schools Training in the Implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for Reading (mtss-R) in Early Elementary School on Staff Practice and Student Outcomes. the Training IS Expected to BE Intensive and Focused on Enabling School Staff to Successfully Implement the KEY Components of Mtss-R — $40.9M (Department of Education)
- Regional Educational Laboratory - Midwest Region: the Contractor Provides Technical Assistance, Research and Other Educational Activities in Support of the Program — $38.5M (Department of Education)
View all American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences federal contracts →
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)