DoD's $10.76M R&D Contract Awarded to PHASE COHERENCE INC Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,764,464 ($10.8M)
Contractor: Phase Coherence Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2006-09-28
End Date: 2010-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,555 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Place of Performance
Location: AUSTIN, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78759
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $10.8 million to PHASE COHERENCE INC for work described as: Key points: 1. The contract awarded to PHASE COHERENCE INC for R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences totals $10.76 million. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. The sector is Research and Development, a critical area for technological advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure suggests potential for costs to exceed initial estimates. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure may still allow for costs to escalate beyond initial projections.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are exposed to the risk of cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts, though competition should have driven a reasonable initial price.
Public Impact
Investment in R&D supports technological advancement and national security. The competitive award process aims to ensure fair pricing for taxpayer funds. Transparency in contract details is crucial for public trust and accountability.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 100 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Awarded for R&D, a strategic investment
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this area is vital for innovation but can be subject to unpredictable cost trajectories.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is crucial for Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts to ensure costs remain reasonable and deliverables are met. The Defense Contract Management Agency's involvement suggests a level of oversight is in place.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type increases risk of cost overruns.
- Limited insight into specific performance metrics and deliverables.
- Potential for costs to exceed initial estimates without stringent oversight.
- Lack of information on small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, tx, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $10.8 million to PHASE COHERENCE INC. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PHASE COHERENCE 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 $10.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-09-28. End: 2010-12-31.
What specific R&D objectives were pursued under this contract, and how do they align with DoD's strategic goals?
The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Specific objectives would typically involve advancing scientific understanding or developing new technologies relevant to defense applications. Alignment with strategic goals would depend on the particular research areas funded and their contribution to modernization priorities or addressing emerging threats.
How effectively did the full and open competition process ensure a competitive price for the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure?
Full and open competition generally leads to a more competitive initial price by allowing all eligible vendors to bid. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure inherently carries risk, as the final cost is not fixed. Effective price discovery relies on robust proposals and thorough evaluation by the agency, mitigating the risk of inflated costs despite the competitive process.
What mechanisms are in place to monitor and control costs under this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract to ensure value for taxpayer money?
The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) is responsible for contract administration and oversight. Mechanisms likely include regular audits of contractor costs, review of incurred expenses against the fixed fee, and performance monitoring to ensure progress aligns with the contract's objectives and budget. This oversight is critical to prevent cost overruns and ensure efficient use of funds.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 8105 MIDDLE CT, AUSTIN, TX, 78759
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,077,337
Exercised Options: $10,764,464
Current Obligation: $10,764,464
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-09-28
Current End Date: 2010-12-31
Potential End Date: 2010-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-03-29
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