DoD's $5.3M R&D Task Order to Taylor Tekla Test Partner Organization, LLC for Research Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,298,208 ($5.3M)

Contractor: Taylor Tekla Test Partner Organization, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-02-01

End Date: 2026-01-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TASK ORDER CREATION

Place of Performance

Location: PATUXENT RIVER, SAINT MARYS County, MARYLAND, 20670

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $5.3 million to TAYLOR TEKLA TEST PARTNER ORGANIZATION, LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER CREATION Key points: 1. This task order represents a modest investment within the broader DoD R&D portfolio. 2. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring of costs. 3. The R&D focus on Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences suggests a need for specialized expertise. 4. The contract duration of one year indicates a project-specific or short-term research need. 5. The geographic location in Maryland places it within a hub for federal contracting and R&D activities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific task order is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns and comparison to similar R&D efforts. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure means the government pays actual costs plus a negotiated fixed fee, which can sometimes lead to higher overall costs if not managed tightly. However, CPFF is often used for R&D where the scope is not fully defined, allowing for necessary adjustments. Without data on the contractor's historical performance or specific deliverables, a definitive value assessment is difficult.

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,' indicating that while competition was sought, certain sources were excluded. This suggests a potentially competitive process, but the exclusion criteria warrant further investigation to understand their impact on the breadth of competition. The number of bidders is not provided, which limits the ability to assess the intensity of the competition and its potential effect on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with exclusions, generally aims to achieve fair market prices for taxpayers. The specific exclusions could potentially limit the number of competitive bids, which might impact the final price achieved.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of the Navy and potentially other DoD entities requiring advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The services delivered will focus on research and development, contributing to technological advancements and scientific understanding. The geographic impact is concentrated in Maryland, supporting the local R&D ecosystem. Workforce implications may include the employment of scientists, engineers, and research support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and the fixed fee is justified.
The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type needs clarification to ensure maximum value was sought.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the R&D investment.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting an effort to leverage market capabilities.
The contract is for R&D in a critical scientific domain for national security.
The contractor is operating within a known federal contracting hub in Maryland.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (NAICS 541715). This sector is crucial for technological innovation and national security, with significant government investment. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other DoD R&D contracts in similar scientific fields, considering factors like contract type, duration, and scope of work. The overall federal R&D spending is in the billions, making this task order a small component of a much larger investment landscape.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this task order includes a small business set-aside. The contract value and nature of R&D services may not lend themselves to typical small business set-aside structures. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are possible but not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Taylor Tekla Test Partner Organization, LLC utilizes small business subcontractors for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would primarily fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms of the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, requiring detailed reporting on costs incurred and progress towards research objectives. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though specific R&D outcomes may be subject to classification or proprietary considerations. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Navy Science and Technology Programs
NAICS 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract requires diligent cost monitoring.
Exclusion of sources in competition needs justification.
Lack of detailed scope limits performance assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $5.3 million to TAYLOR TEKLA TEST PARTNER ORGANIZATION, LLC. TASK ORDER CREATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TAYLOR TEKLA TEST PARTNER ORGANIZATION, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-01. End: 2026-01-31.

What is the track record of Taylor Tekla Test Partner Organization, LLC with the federal government, particularly in R&D contracts?

Information regarding Taylor Tekla Test Partner Organization, LLC's specific track record with the federal government, especially concerning Research and Development (R&D) contracts, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on similar contracts, including contract values, types, agencies served, and any performance evaluations or awards. Understanding their history with Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts would be particularly relevant given the current award. Without this historical data, it is difficult to gauge their experience, reliability, and past success in delivering R&D services to federal agencies.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure compare to other contract types for R&D, and what are the implications for value?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are common for R&D where the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset, allowing for flexibility as research progresses. The government agrees to pay the contractor's actual allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. This contrasts with Fixed-Price contracts, where the price is set regardless of costs, or Cost-Reimbursement contracts without a fixed fee. For R&D, CPFF offers flexibility but requires robust oversight to manage costs effectively. The 'value' is realized if the research yields significant advancements, but the potential for cost overruns is a key risk that necessitates careful monitoring of expenditures and justification of the fixed fee.

What specific R&D areas within 'Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' does this task order cover?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541715, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).' However, it does not specify the precise R&D areas within this broad category that this particular task order addresses. These could range from materials science, advanced manufacturing, aerospace engineering, environmental science, to various biological or medical research applications, excluding nanotechnology and biotechnology. Further details on the task order's statement of work would be necessary to identify the specific scientific or engineering disciplines being pursued.

What does 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' mean in practice for this contract?

'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' signifies that the solicitation was made available to all responsible sources capable of meeting the requirements, but certain potential sources were intentionally excluded from consideration. This exclusion could be based on various factors, such as national security concerns, specific technological capabilities, or prior performance issues. While it aims to ensure competition among eligible entities, the exclusion of certain sources might limit the breadth of competition and potentially impact the range of innovative solutions or the most competitive pricing available to the government. The rationale for these exclusions would be critical to understanding the full competitive landscape.

What is the typical annual spending for R&D contracts of this size and type within the Department of the Navy?

Determining typical annual spending for R&D contracts of this specific size ($5.3M task order) and type (CPFF) within the Department of the Navy requires access to detailed historical contract data. The Navy awards a vast number of contracts across numerous R&D categories. A task order of this value is considered moderate. Annual spending patterns can fluctuate based on strategic priorities, budget allocations, and the number of active research projects. Benchmarking would involve analyzing similar task orders awarded over several fiscal years, considering the specific NAICS code (541715) and contract type to identify trends in investment and average award values.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: N0042124R0015

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 45671 PLEASANT MILL DR, GREAT MILLS, MD, 20634

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,298,208

Exercised Options: $5,298,208

Current Obligation: $5,298,208

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 10

Total Subaward Amount: $4,055,754

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0042125D0031

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline