DoD awards $1.99M R&D contract to Breault Research Organization for advanced materials

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,990,122 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Breault Research Organization, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-09-21

End Date: 2026-08-28

Contract Duration: 1,072 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SBIR PHASE II TOPIC N221-075

Place of Performance

Location: TUCSON, PIMA County, ARIZONA, 85706

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.0 million to BREAULT RESEARCH ORGANIZATION, INC for work described as: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SBIR PHASE II TOPIC N221-075 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Awarded under a full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 3. Performance period spans over 2 years, indicating a medium-term research effort. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, common for R&D projects. 5. Breault Research Organization is the sole contractor for this specific effort. 6. The contract is a definitive contract, suggesting a clear scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.99 million for a 2-year R&D effort appears within a reasonable range for specialized research. However, without specific benchmarks for this particular R&D topic (N221-075), a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure allows for flexibility but can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking against similar SBIR Phase II contracts would provide a clearer picture of pricing efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies that while competition was sought, certain sources were excluded for specific reasons. The number of bidders (14) suggests a healthy initial interest, but the final award mechanism and the 'exclusion of sources' aspect warrant further investigation to understand the full competitive landscape and its impact on pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive process, while not fully open, yielded multiple bids, suggesting that taxpayers likely benefited from some level of price discovery. However, the exclusion of certain sources could potentially limit the most competitive offers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and potentially the broader scientific community through the advancement of physical, engineering, and life sciences. The contract will deliver research and development outcomes in a specialized area of materials science. The geographic impact is primarily within Arizona, where Breault Research Organization is located. Workforce implications include specialized R&D roles at Breault Research Organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize higher spending if cost controls are not robust.
The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition raises questions about the breadth of market engagement.
Limited public information on the specific R&D topic makes independent performance assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

The contract is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, aimed at fostering technological innovation by small businesses.
A significant number of initial bids (14) indicates strong interest and potential for innovation in the field.
The definitive contract structure suggests a well-defined project scope.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The SBIR Phase II program aims to transition innovative technologies from Phase I feasibility studies to full R&D. Comparable spending in this niche R&D area is difficult to benchmark without knowing the specific technological advancements sought, but federal investment in defense-related R&D is substantial.

Small Business Impact

As an SBIR Phase II contract, this award is specifically designed to support small businesses in their research and development efforts. Breault Research Organization, Inc. is the direct recipient, indicating a successful transition from earlier SBIR phases. There are no explicit subcontracting requirements mentioned, but the focus remains on enabling the small business to conduct the research.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates close monitoring of costs and progress. Transparency is moderate, with contract award details available, but the specifics of the R&D and performance metrics are often proprietary. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
Department of Defense Research and Development
Advanced Materials Research
Naval Research Laboratory Contracts

Risk Flags

Competition level requires further scrutiny due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates robust government oversight to manage costs.
Specific R&D objectives are not publicly detailed, limiting transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.0 million to BREAULT RESEARCH ORGANIZATION, INC. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SBIR PHASE II TOPIC N221-075

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BREAULT RESEARCH ORGANIZATION, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-21. End: 2026-08-28.

What is the specific technological objective of this R&D contract?

The contract, identified as SBIR Phase II Topic N221-075, focuses on research and development within the physical, engineering, and life sciences. While the exact technological objective is not detailed in the provided data, SBIR Phase II contracts typically aim to mature innovative technologies that have demonstrated feasibility in Phase I. Given the Department of the Navy as the awarding agency, the research likely pertains to areas relevant to naval applications, such as advanced materials for naval platforms, sensors, or operational systems. Further details would require accessing the specific SBIR topic description from the Department of Defense.

How does the $1.99 million award compare to typical SBIR Phase II contracts?

The $1.99 million award for this SBIR Phase II contract is within the typical range for such awards. SBIR Phase II contracts are designed for the principal research or experimental development work and can range from several hundred thousand dollars up to a few million dollars, depending on the complexity and scope of the research. The duration of over two years (1072 days) is also consistent with the time needed to complete significant R&D efforts. Benchmarking against other SBIR Phase II contracts in similar scientific domains (e.g., materials science, physical sciences) would provide a more precise comparison, but the awarded amount does not appear unusually high or low for this program stage.

What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts carry inherent risks, particularly for research and development projects. The primary risk for the government is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts, as the government agrees to pay all allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. If the contractor's costs exceed estimates, the government still pays those costs. For R&D, where the outcome is uncertain, CPFF can be beneficial by allowing flexibility to explore different approaches. However, robust oversight and clear definition of allowable costs are crucial to mitigate the risk of cost overruns and ensure value for taxpayer money. The fixed fee provides some incentive for the contractor to complete the work efficiently to maximize their profit.

What does 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' imply for this contract?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation suggests a nuanced competitive process. It indicates that the solicitation was initially intended for broad competition, but specific sources were subsequently excluded from consideration. This exclusion could be based on various factors, such as proprietary technology, unique capabilities, national security concerns, or previous performance issues with certain entities. While 14 bidders initially participated, the exclusion implies that the final award was made from a subset of the potentially interested parties. This approach aims to balance competitive principles with specific program requirements or limitations, but it warrants scrutiny to ensure the exclusions were justified and did not unduly limit the competitive field.

What is the track record of Breault Research Organization, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly SBIR awards?

Breault Research Organization, Inc. has a history of engaging with federal agencies, particularly through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. As this is an SBIR Phase II award, it implies the company successfully completed a Phase I project, demonstrating technical merit and commercial potential. Federal contract databases often show multiple awards to companies like Breault for R&D services across various agencies, including the Department of Defense. A detailed review of their contract history would reveal the types of projects undertaken, their performance ratings (if available), and their success in transitioning technologies. Their continued success in securing SBIR funding suggests a positive track record in innovation and proposal development.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2175 E VALENCIA RD STE 105, TUCSON, AZ, 85706

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,990,122

Exercised Options: $1,990,122

Current Obligation: $1,990,122

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline