NSF's $139.6M Contract for Science Policy Support Awarded to IDA Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,966,018 ($14.0M)

Contractor: Institute for Defense Analyses

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2003-12-01

End Date: 2009-11-30

Contract Duration: 2,191 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER 1 - CORE SUPPORT EFFORTS FOR THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY INSTITUTE

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 22311

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $14.0 million to INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES for work described as: TASK ORDER 1 - CORE SUPPORT EFFORTS FOR THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY INSTITUTE Key points: 1. IDA, a non-profit, has held this contract since 2003, indicating a long-standing relationship. 2. The contract spans over 6 years, suggesting significant and ongoing support needs. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, it implies a competitive bidding process. 4. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category is broad, making direct sector benchmarks challenging.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $139.6M over 6 years averages approximately $23.3M annually. Without specific deliverables or comparable contracts, a precise value assessment is difficult, but the duration and scope suggest a substantial investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting that multiple bidders had the opportunity to compete. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential scientific and technical policy support.

Public Impact

Supports critical science and technology policy analysis for the National Science Foundation. Ensures continuity of expert advice on S&T matters. Long-term contract may indicate stable and effective service delivery. The broad service category could encompass a wide range of policy-related activities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to gauge effectiveness.
Broad service category may obscure specific cost drivers.
Long contract duration could lead to complacency if not actively managed.

Positive Signals

Awarded via full and open competition.
Long-term engagement suggests consistent value and performance.
Contract supports a critical government function (S&T policy).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' a broad category. Spending in this area is diverse, but contracts of this magnitude often support significant research, analysis, or consulting functions for federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). The prime contractor, Institute for Defense Analyses, is a non-profit research and development organization, suggesting this type of large-scale support is typically handled by established entities.

Oversight & Accountability

The National Science Foundation is the contracting agency, implying internal oversight. The long duration and fixed-fee structure necessitate ongoing monitoring to ensure adherence to scope and budget, though specific oversight mechanisms are not detailed.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
National Science Foundation Contracting
National Science Foundation Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration is extensive (6 years).
Service category is very broad.
No specific performance metrics provided.
Prime contractor is not a small business.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $14.0 million to INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES. TASK ORDER 1 - CORE SUPPORT EFFORTS FOR THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY INSTITUTE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-12-01. End: 2009-11-30.

What specific scientific and technological policy areas does this contract cover, and how does the annual cost align with the complexity and impact of these areas?

The contract covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' for the Science and Technology Policy Institute. Without specific details on the policy areas addressed, it's challenging to definitively assess value. However, the annual cost of approximately $23.3M suggests significant scope, likely encompassing complex analysis, research, and advisory services critical to NSF's mission.

Given the 6-year duration and fixed-fee structure, what mechanisms are in place to mitigate the risk of cost overruns or scope creep, and how are performance metrics evaluated?

While the contract is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), the fixed fee component incentivizes cost control. The long duration necessitates robust oversight from the National Science Foundation to monitor performance against defined objectives and prevent scope creep. Specific performance metrics and oversight procedures are not detailed in the provided data.

How effectively has the Institute for Defense Analyses supported the National Science Foundation's policy objectives over the contract's lifespan, and what is the measurable impact on S&T policy?

The contract's renewal and long duration suggest a level of satisfaction with IDA's performance. However, the provided data lacks specific metrics to quantify the effectiveness or measurable impact on S&T policy. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing performance reports and the actual policy outcomes influenced by the institute's work.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4850 MARK CENTER DR, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,966,018

Exercised Options: $13,966,018

Current Obligation: $13,966,018

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NSFOIA0408601

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline