DARPA LINC Program awards $11M contract to California Institute of Technology for R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,014,479 ($11.0M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2022-11-21
End Date: 2026-08-26
Contract Duration: 1,374 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DARPA LINC PROGRAM
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $11.0 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: DARPA LINC PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development, aligning with DARPA's mission to foster innovation. 2. The contract duration of 1374 days suggests a significant, long-term research effort. 3. Awarded to a well-established research institution, indicating a focus on expertise. 4. The 'Cost No Fee' pricing structure implies that the government will reimburse allowable costs incurred by the contractor. 5. This contract falls under the broad category of physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D. 6. The contract is a definitive contract, suggesting a clear scope of work. 7. The geographic location of the contractor is California.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
Benchmarking the value of this specific R&D contract is challenging without detailed project milestones and deliverables. However, the award to a reputable institution like the California Institute of Technology suggests a potentially good value for the specialized research being conducted. The 'Cost No Fee' structure, while common in R&D, requires careful monitoring of expenditures to ensure cost-effectiveness. Further analysis would involve comparing the scope and expected outcomes to similar large-scale research grants or contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This process is designed to foster a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovative solutions. The number of bidders is not specified, but the full and open nature suggests a robust competition was sought.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of proposals and potentially driving down costs through market forces.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely the scientific and research communities, with potential long-term benefits for national security and technological advancement. The contract supports research and development activities in advanced scientific fields. The geographic impact is primarily centered in California, where the contractor is located, but the research outcomes could have national or global implications. Workforce implications include the employment of researchers, scientists, and support staff at the California Institute of Technology.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in long-term R&D projects if not closely monitored.
- The 'Cost No Fee' structure requires diligent oversight to ensure that reimbursed costs are reasonable and allocable.
- The specialized nature of R&D can make it difficult to define success metrics upfront, posing a risk to performance evaluation.
Positive Signals
- Award to a highly reputable research institution suggests a strong likelihood of technical success.
- Full and open competition indicates a commitment to finding the best possible solution.
- The long contract duration allows for in-depth research and development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for technological advancement and national security. Comparable spending benchmarks in this sector are highly variable, depending on the specific research area and the scale of the project. However, significant government investment in R&D is common across various agencies like DARPA, NSF, and NIH, often involving large, multi-year awards to academic institutions and private companies.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Given the nature of the research and the award to a large academic institution, subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but are not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The primary focus is on the core research capabilities of the awarded contractor.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the awarding agency, the Department of the Navy, under DARPA's purview. Accountability measures would be tied to the research milestones and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases and public reporting, though the specifics of R&D can be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- DARPA Research Programs
- Department of Defense Research and Development
- Advanced Scientific Research Contracts
- University Research Grants
Risk Flags
- Long-term R&D projects carry inherent uncertainty in outcomes.
- Cost-reimbursement contracts require diligent oversight to manage expenditures.
Tags
research-and-development, department-of-defense, darpa, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition, cost-no-fee, california, academic-institution, physical-sciences, engineering, life-sciences
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $11.0 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. DARPA LINC PROGRAM
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 $11.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-11-21. End: 2026-08-26.
What is the specific research focus of the DARPA LINC Program contract awarded to the California Institute of Technology?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)'. The DARPA LINC Program itself is known for exploring novel concepts and technologies that could lead to breakthroughs in areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced materials, and human-machine systems. While the specific sub-focus of this particular award isn't detailed, it aligns with DARPA's broader mission to invest in cutting-edge research that can maintain the U.S. technological advantage. The California Institute of Technology is a leading institution in many of these scientific domains, suggesting the research could be highly advanced and potentially transformative.
How does the $11 million award compare to typical R&D contract values for similar research areas?
An $11 million award for a multi-year R&D effort in physical, engineering, and life sciences is a substantial but not extraordinary amount for a project of this nature, especially when awarded to a premier research institution like Caltech. DARPA often funds high-risk, high-reward research that can range from a few million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. For context, other federal agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH) also issue large grants for fundamental research. The value is reasonable given the 'Cost No Fee' structure, which reimburses actual costs, and the long duration (1374 days), implying a significant scope of work. Without knowing the specific technical objectives, a precise comparison is difficult, but it falls within the expected range for advanced R&D.
What are the key performance indicators or milestones expected under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones for this contract. However, for a research and development contract of this nature, KPIs would typically revolve around achieving specific scientific objectives, developing prototypes, publishing research findings, presenting at conferences, and potentially demonstrating proof-of-concept for new technologies. The 'Cost No Fee' structure implies that the contractor will be reimbursed for allowable costs incurred in pursuit of these research goals. The long duration suggests that the project may involve multiple phases, each with its own set of deliverables and review points, likely overseen by DARPA program managers.
What is the track record of the California Institute of Technology as a government contractor, particularly with DARPA?
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has a long and distinguished history of receiving significant federal funding for research and development, particularly from agencies like DARPA, NSF, and NIH. As one of the world's leading science and engineering universities, Caltech consistently demonstrates a strong track record in scientific innovation and research execution. They are known for attracting top talent and producing groundbreaking discoveries. While specific contract performance details are often proprietary, Caltech's consistent ability to secure substantial research grants and contracts from major federal R&D sponsors like DARPA indicates a high level of trust in their research capabilities and management of federal funds.
Are there any identified risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
The primary risks associated with R&D contracts, especially those funded by DARPA, include the inherent uncertainty of research outcomes (technical risk), potential for cost overruns (financial risk), and challenges in defining and measuring success (performance risk). For this 'Cost No Fee' contract, financial risk mitigation relies heavily on robust government oversight of incurred costs to ensure they are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. Technical risk is inherent in exploring novel concepts, and mitigation often involves phased approaches, regular technical reviews, and flexibility in adapting research directions based on findings. Performance risk is managed through clear communication channels between DARPA program managers and Caltech researchers, and by establishing intermediate milestones to track progress.
How does this contract fit into DARPA's broader strategic objectives for technological advancement?
This contract directly aligns with DARPA's core mission: to make pivotal investments in breakthrough technologies that provide enduring national security advantages. By funding research in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, DARPA aims to explore and develop foundational capabilities that could lead to disruptive innovations. The 'LINC Program' specifically suggests an emphasis on 'linking' or integrating different technological domains or concepts. Awarding this to Caltech, a powerhouse in scientific research, ensures that DARPA is tapping into leading-edge expertise to explore potentially transformative advancements that could shape future military capabilities and address emerging threats.
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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: HR001121S0036
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1200 E CALIFORNIA BLVD, PASADENA, CA, 91125
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,421,871
Exercised Options: $13,421,871
Current Obligation: $11,014,479
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-11-21
Current End Date: 2026-08-26
Potential End Date: 2026-08-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-19
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