DoD's $13.6M R&D Contract with Peraton Inc. Awarded via Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,610,976 ($13.6M)

Contractor: Peraton Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-09-28

End Date: 2013-03-27

Contract Duration: 2,007 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: 57-4015-07

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20170

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $13.6 million to PERATON INC. for work described as: 57-4015-07 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Peraton Inc. for $13.6 million. 2. Full and open competition was utilized. 3. The contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 4. The contract was awarded by the Department of Defense. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking CPFF contracts in R&D is challenging due to variability in project scope and success.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Full and open competition was used, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the CPFF structure may still allow for costs to exceed initial expectations.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for R&D, with the ultimate benefit depending on the success and applicability of the research outcomes.

Public Impact

Supports critical research and development initiatives for the Department of Defense. Potential for technological advancements that could have broader applications. Contract duration spans over five years, indicating a significant investment in the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • CPFF contract type can incentivize cost escalation.
  • Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
  • Limited information on the specific R&D area.

Positive Signals

  • Full and open competition promotes market efficiency.
  • Long-term contract duration suggests strategic importance.
  • Awarded by a major federal agency (DoD).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541710. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but can be subject to high uncertainty and long development cycles.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Defense, a large agency with established oversight mechanisms. However, the effectiveness of oversight for CPFF R&D contracts can vary.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure may lead to cost overruns.
  • Lack of detailed performance metrics.
  • Broad R&D category limits specific risk assessment.
  • No indication of small business participation.

Tags

research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $13.6 million to PERATON INC.. 57-4015-07

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PERATON 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 $13.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-28. End: 2013-03-27.

What were the key performance indicators and milestones for this R&D contract, and how were they measured to ensure value for money?

The provided data does not detail specific performance indicators or milestones. For CPFF contracts, value is typically assessed based on the achievement of research objectives and the final deliverables. Without this information, it's difficult to definitively assess if the $13.6 million expenditure yielded optimal value, as the success of R&D is inherently uncertain and dependent on factors beyond contractual terms.

What specific R&D area did this contract focus on, and what are the potential risks associated with that particular field of research?

The contract falls under 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' (NAICS 541710). This broad category encompasses a wide range of potential research areas, each with unique risks. Risks could include scientific feasibility challenges, technological obsolescence, ethical considerations (in life sciences), or the potential for research to yield inconclusive or negative results, making the investment potentially unrecoverable.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure impact the government's ability to control costs and ensure efficient resource allocation in this R&D context?

The CPFF structure provides the contractor with reimbursement for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. While the fixed fee incentivizes efficiency, the cost-reimbursement aspect can reduce the contractor's incentive to control costs rigorously. This structure is often used when project scope is uncertain, but it places a greater burden on the government to meticulously audit costs and monitor progress to prevent overspending and ensure resources are allocated effectively towards achieving the R&D objectives.

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 DEVELOPMENTGeneral Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12975 WORLDGATE DR STE 7322, HERNDON, VA, 20170

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,157,884

Exercised Options: $13,886,498

Current Obligation: $13,610,976

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2007-09-28

Current End Date: 2013-03-27

Potential End Date: 2013-03-27 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-04-16

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