DoD's $19.3M Contract for Engineering Technical Services Awarded to California Institute of Technology
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,286,686 ($19.3M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2005-09-23
End Date: 2011-03-22
Contract Duration: 2,006 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: 200512!006598!1700!N00244!FLEET AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CENT!N0024405C0066 !A!N! !N! ! !20050923!20060922!009584210!009584210!009584210!N!CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECH !1201 E CALIFORNIA BLVD MAI!PASADENA !CA!91125!56000!037!06!PASADENA !LOS ANGELES !CALIFORNIA!+000000716904!N!N!000029392734!R425!ENGINEERING TECHNICAL SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !20200930!B! ! !A! !D!U!S!1!001!N!1G!C!N!Z! ! !N!V!N! ! ! ! ! !A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! !Y!1708!N62271!0001! !
Place of Performance
Location: MONTEREY, MONTEREY County, CALIFORNIA, 93943
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $19.3 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: 200512!006598!1700!N00244!FLEET AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CENT!N0024405C0066 !A!N! !N! ! !20050923!20060922!009584210!009584210!009584210!N!CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECH !1201 E CALIFORNIA BLVD MAI!PASADENA !CA!91125!56000!037!06!PASADENA !LOS … Key points: 1. The contract value is substantial at $19.3 million, indicating a significant need for specialized engineering services. 2. Awarded to California Institute of Technology, a known research institution, suggesting a focus on advanced R&D. 3. The 'NOT COMPETED' award type raises concerns about potential lack of price discovery and competition. 4. The sector is Research and Development, aligning with the contractor's expertise.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $19.3 million for engineering technical services is difficult to benchmark without specific details on the scope of work. However, for R&D services, this amount could be reasonable for a complex, multi-year project.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis ('NOT COMPETED'). This limits price discovery and may not yield the best value for taxpayers, as competitive bidding is absent.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could lead to higher costs than if the contract had been competitively bid, potentially impacting taxpayer funds negatively.
Public Impact
Research and Development: This contract supports advanced research, potentially leading to technological advancements. Educational Institution: Funding a prominent research university like Caltech can foster innovation and scientific breakthroughs. National Security: As a DoD contract, the services likely contribute to national defense capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Potential for overpayment due to lack of competitive bidding.
- Long contract duration (initial award to final completion) may not reflect current market rates.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institution.
- Services likely support critical R&D efforts.
- Potential for significant technological advancements.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation but requires careful oversight to ensure value.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to the California Institute of Technology, a large research institution. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny. Oversight should focus on ensuring the necessity of the sole-source justification and the reasonableness of costs incurred throughout the contract's lifecycle.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of demonstrated competition
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency on specific deliverables
- Extended contract performance period
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ca, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $19.3 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. 200512!006598!1700!N00244!FLEET AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CENT!N0024405C0066 !A!N! !N! ! !20050923!20060922!009584210!009584210!009584210!N!CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECH !1201 E CALIFORNIA BLVD MAI!PASADENA !CA!91125!56000!037!06!PASADENA !LOS ANGELES !CALIFORNIA!+000000716904!N!N!000029392734!R425!ENGINEERING TECHNICAL SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !202
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $19.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-09-23. End: 2011-03-22.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and was it adequately documented?
The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' suggesting a sole-source award. A thorough review would require access to the contract file to ascertain the specific justification (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent need) and verify its adequacy and proper documentation according to federal acquisition regulations.
How does the cost of these engineering technical services compare to similar contracts awarded competitively?
Benchmarking this $19.3 million contract against competitive awards is challenging without detailed scope of work comparisons. However, sole-source contracts inherently lack the price discovery mechanism of competition, raising a presumption that costs might be higher than a competitively sourced equivalent.
What tangible outcomes or technological advancements resulted from this $19.3 million investment in engineering technical services?
Assessing the effectiveness requires examining the contract's deliverables and the subsequent impact of the R&D performed. Without specific reports on innovations, patents, or improved defense capabilities stemming from this contract, its ultimate value and effectiveness remain undetermined.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1201 E CALIFORNIA BLVD MAI, PASADENA, CA, 28
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-09-23
Current End Date: 2011-03-22
Potential End Date: 2011-03-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-10-07
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