DoD's $14.5M Plasma Physics Support Contract Awarded to Research Support Instruments, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,509,033 ($14.5M)

Contractor: Research Support Instruments, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2006-06-15

End Date: 2013-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,756 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: PLASMA PHYSICS SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20375

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.5 million to RESEARCH SUPPORT INSTRUMENTS, INC. for work described as: PLASMA PHYSICS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $14.5 million over approximately 7.5 years suggests a sustained need for specialized research support. 2. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) can lead to cost overruns if not carefully managed, posing a potential risk. 3. Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources indicates a competitive process, but the exclusion warrants scrutiny. 4. The contract falls under Research and Development, a sector often characterized by evolving requirements and technical complexity. 5. The duration of the contract (2756 days) is substantial, requiring ongoing performance monitoring. 6. The award to a single entity, Research Support Instruments, Inc., highlights the specialized nature of the services required.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the services provided and comparable contracts. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while allowing flexibility for R&D, inherently carries a higher risk of cost escalation compared to fixed-price contracts. The total award of $14.5 million over nearly 7.5 years averages to approximately $1.93 million per year, which may be reasonable for highly specialized physics support, but a detailed cost breakdown and comparison to similar R&D support services would be necessary for a definitive value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources were excluded from the outset. The exact reasons for this exclusion are not detailed, but it suggests that only a subset of potential offerors were considered. The presence of two bidders implies some level of competition, but the exclusion of other sources may have limited the overall competitive landscape and potentially impacted price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources, even with two bidders, means taxpayers may not have benefited from the broadest possible competition, potentially leading to a higher price than if all qualified vendors had been allowed to bid.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of the Navy and its research initiatives in plasma physics. The contract supports critical research and development activities, potentially leading to advancements in defense technology or scientific understanding. The geographic impact is centered around the District of Columbia, where the contractor is located. The contract likely supports a specialized workforce of scientists, engineers, and technicians in the field of plasma physics.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type increases risk of cost overruns.
Exclusion of sources in competition may have limited competitive pressure.
Long contract duration requires sustained oversight to ensure continued value.

Positive Signals

Awarded after a competitive process, indicating some level of vetting.
Supports critical R&D for the Department of Defense.
Contractor has a long-term engagement, suggesting satisfactory performance historically.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences. The R&D market is characterized by innovation, specialized expertise, and often, long development cycles. Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement and maintaining a competitive edge, particularly in defense. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other DoD contracts for advanced scientific research and specialized technical support services.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Research Support Instruments, Inc., is likely not a small business, and there is no explicit mandate for subcontracting to small businesses within this award. The impact on the small business ecosystem would be minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight and auditing are crucial to monitor costs and ensure the fixed fee remains justified. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and potential reviews by the DoD Inspector General, especially concerning cost allowability and performance metrics.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Contracts
Navy Scientific and Technical Support Services
Plasma Physics Research Programs
Advanced Technology Development Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF contract type.
Limited competition due to exclusion of sources.
Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.5 million to RESEARCH SUPPORT INSTRUMENTS, INC.. PLASMA PHYSICS SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESEARCH SUPPORT INSTRUMENTS, 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 $14.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-06-15. End: 2013-12-31.

What specific plasma physics research was supported by this contract, and what were the key deliverables or outcomes?

The provided data does not detail the specific plasma physics research areas or key deliverables. However, contracts for 'Plasma Physics Support' typically involve theoretical modeling, experimental design and execution, data analysis, and the development of related instrumentation. Outcomes could range from fundamental scientific discoveries to the development of technologies applicable to areas such as fusion energy, advanced propulsion, or directed energy weapons. Without access to the contract's SOW (Statement of Work) or performance reports, a precise description of the research and its outcomes remains unavailable.

How does the $14.5 million total award compare to other R&D support contracts of similar duration and scope within the Department of the Navy?

Comparing the $14.5 million award for 2756 days (approx. 7.5 years) requires access to a broader dataset of similar contracts. On average, this contract represents an annual expenditure of roughly $1.93 million. This figure needs to be benchmarked against other R&D support contracts within the Navy, particularly those involving specialized scientific fields like plasma physics. Factors such as the level of technical expertise required, the complexity of the research, and the specific deliverables will influence cost. A preliminary assessment suggests this is a significant but not necessarily exorbitant amount for long-term, specialized R&D support, but a detailed comparative analysis is needed.

What were the primary reasons for excluding certain sources during the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process?

The specific reasons for excluding sources in a 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award are not detailed in the provided data. This procurement method typically involves a justification for why certain potential offerors were not included, often due to unique capabilities, prior work, or specific security requirements. Without the justification document (e.g., a Justification and Approval - J&A), it's impossible to determine the rationale. This exclusion limits the pool of competitors and raises questions about whether the government secured the best possible value by not considering all qualified sources.

What is the track record of Research Support Instruments, Inc. in performing Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts for the Department of Defense?

The provided data indicates Research Support Instruments, Inc. was awarded this $14.5 million CPFF contract by the Department of the Navy, suggesting some level of established relationship or capability. However, to assess their track record specifically with CPFF contracts for the DoD, a deeper dive into their contract history would be necessary. This would involve examining past performance reviews, any documented issues with cost control or performance on similar contract types, and their overall history of delivering on complex R&D projects. The long duration of this contract (over 7 years) implies a degree of confidence from the Navy, but a comprehensive review of their past performance is essential for a full assessment.

What are the potential risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type in the context of plasma physics research?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, especially in a research and development context like plasma physics, is the potential for cost overruns. While the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs, the 'fixed fee' component is predetermined. If costs escalate significantly beyond initial projections due to unforeseen technical challenges, scope creep, or inefficient management, the government bears the brunt of the increased costs while the contractor's fee remains constant. This can lead to the project exceeding its allocated budget. Effective oversight, stringent cost monitoring, and clear definition of allowable costs are critical to mitigate these risks.

How has federal spending in the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' (NAICS 541710) sector evolved, and where does this contract fit?

Federal spending in NAICS code 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) is substantial and generally represents a significant portion of the federal R&D budget, particularly within agencies like the Department of Defense, NSF, and NIH. This sector is vital for innovation and national security. This specific $14.5 million contract, awarded by the Department of the Navy, fits within the broader trend of federal investment in advanced scientific research. While a single contract is a small part of the overall sector spending, it contributes to the cumulative federal effort in advancing physical sciences, potentially supporting areas critical to defense capabilities.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Physical Sciences Inc. (UEI: 073800062)

Address: 20 NEW ENGLAND BUS CTR DR, ANDOVER, MA, 06

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,635,931

Exercised Options: $19,635,931

Current Obligation: $14,509,033

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline