DoD awards $16.6M for GTRI Informatics and Engineering Support to CDC, citing non-competitive procedures

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,603,525 ($16.6M)

Contractor: Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-09-25

End Date: 2024-09-22

Contract Duration: 1,824 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TASK ORDER W31P4Q-19-F-0584 (S3I 146-9A) IS ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION H-14, ORDERING PROCEDURES OF THE BASIC CONTRACT, FOR THE PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS) ENTITLED, " (GTRI) INFORMATICS AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO THE (CDC)".

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30318

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $16.6 million to GEORGIA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH CORP for work described as: TASK ORDER W31P4Q-19-F-0584 (S3I 146-9A) IS ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION H-14, ORDERING PROCEDURES OF THE BASIC CONTRACT, FOR THE PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS) ENTITLED, " (GTRI) INFORMATICS AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO THE (CDC)". Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp for R&D services. 2. Significant duration of 1824 days suggests a long-term need. 3. Non-competitive award raises questions about price discovery and potential alternatives. 4. Focus on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Without comparable contract data, assessing the pricing against similar services is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may not ensure the best value for taxpayer dollars.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract.

Public Impact

Public health research and engineering support funded by the Department of Defense. Long-term contract may impact resource allocation for other critical R&D projects. Transparency in the justification for sole-source award is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Cost-plus contract type
Long contract duration

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable research institution (GTRI)
Supports critical R&D for CDC

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is often high-value but requires careful oversight due to its specialized nature and potential for cost variability.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp, which is not a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The non-competitive nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the fixed fee is reasonable and that the contractor is meeting performance expectations outlined in the PWS.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for cost overruns with Cost Plus Fixed Fee
Limited transparency on justification for sole-source award
Long contract duration may indicate a lack of readily available alternatives

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $16.6 million to GEORGIA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH CORP. TASK ORDER W31P4Q-19-F-0584 (S3I 146-9A) IS ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION H-14, ORDERING PROCEDURES OF THE BASIC CONTRACT, FOR THE PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS) ENTITLED, " (GTRI) INFORMATICS AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO THE (CDC)".

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GEORGIA TECH APPLIED RESEARCH CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-25. End: 2024-09-22.

What was the specific justification for not competing this contract, and were alternative sources considered?

The data indicates the award was made under Section H-14 of the basic contract, which outlines ordering procedures. However, the specific justification for not competing is not provided. A thorough review would require access to the contract file to understand if statutory exceptions or specific justifications were documented, and whether any market research was conducted to explore potential competition.

How does the fixed fee compare to industry benchmarks for similar R&D services, and what mechanisms are in place to control costs?

Without specific details on the fixed fee's calculation and industry benchmarks for this specialized R&D, a direct comparison is challenging. Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts rely on the government's ability to accurately estimate costs and negotiate a fair fee. Oversight should focus on monitoring the contractor's cost accounting and ensuring the fixed fee remains appropriate throughout the contract's life.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is GTRI's performance being measured against them?

The Performance Work Statement (PWS) would detail the specific deliverables and performance standards. Effective oversight requires regular monitoring of these KPIs, including technical progress, adherence to schedules, and quality of deliverables. The government contracting officer and technical representatives are responsible for ensuring GTRI meets these performance metrics.

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 › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 505 10TH ST, ATLANTA, GA, 30318

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public)

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,603,525

Exercised Options: $16,603,525

Current Obligation: $16,603,525

Actual Outlays: $124,584

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $89,865

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W31P4Q18D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline