DoD's $49M R&D contract for SHIELD SETA technical support awarded to Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $49,041,572 ($49.0M)

Contractor: Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-09-25

End Date: 2026-09-26

Contract Duration: 366 days

Daily Burn Rate: $134.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SHIELD SETA TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35898

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $49.0 million to INTUITIVE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION for work described as: SHIELD SETA TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 3. The duration of 366 days indicates a medium-term engagement for technical support services. 4. The award is a BPA Call, suggesting it's part of a larger pre-competed agreement. 5. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 6. The contractor, Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation, has secured this significant award.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $49 million over one year for R&D technical support is substantial. Benchmarking against similar R&D support contracts is difficult without more specific service details. The Time and Materials pricing structure warrants close monitoring to ensure value for money, as it can lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively. The BPA Call nature suggests potential pre-negotiated rates, but the final value depends on task order execution.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific award. While competition is generally positive, the limited number of bidders could imply a specialized niche or a high barrier to entry for potential competitors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages competitive pricing and potentially leads to better value. However, with only two bidders, the cost savings might be less pronounced than in scenarios with a larger pool of competitors.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from specialized technical support for its R&D initiatives. This contract supports research and development activities within the physical, engineering, and life sciences sectors. The geographic impact is primarily in Alabama (ST), where the contractor is located. The contract likely supports a workforce of technical specialists and researchers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost escalation if not closely managed.
Limited number of bidders (2) may indicate reduced competitive pressure on pricing.
The specific nature of R&D technical support may limit the pool of qualified contractors.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, maximizing potential bidder pool.
BPA Call structure suggests efficiency and potentially pre-negotiated favorable terms.
Contract supports critical R&D functions for the Department of Defense.

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 defense innovation. The market for specialized R&D technical support services is competitive, with many firms offering expertise in niche scientific and engineering fields. The total federal spending on R&D services is substantial, and this contract represents a portion of that investment.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement for this award (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is unlikely. However, the prime contractor, Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific needs, contributing indirectly to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Army contracting officers and program managers. The Time and Materials nature necessitates rigorous oversight of labor hours and material costs to ensure compliance and prevent overspending. Transparency is expected through contract reporting mechanisms, and the Inspector General's office would have jurisdiction in cases of fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Contracts
Technical Support Services Contracts
Information Technology R&D Support
Engineering Services Contracts
Scientific Research Services

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (Time and Materials)
Limited Competition Indicator
Specialized R&D Niche

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $49.0 million to INTUITIVE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. SHIELD SETA TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTUITIVE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $49.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-25. End: 2026-09-26.

What is the track record of Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation with the Department of Defense?

Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation (IRTC) has a history of securing contracts with the Department of Defense (DoD). While specific details of their past performance on similar R&D technical support contracts would require deeper analysis of federal procurement databases, their ability to win a $49 million contract indicates a recognized capability and established relationship with the DoD. IRTC typically focuses on advanced technology solutions, engineering services, and program management, aligning with the nature of this award. Further investigation into their past performance ratings, any past issues, and the types of services they have provided previously would offer a more comprehensive understanding of their suitability for this specific R&D support role.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar R&D technical support contracts?

The value of this contract, approximately $49 million for a one-year period, is significant for R&D technical support services. However, a direct comparison to 'similar' contracts is challenging without a precise definition of 'similar.' R&D support can encompass a vast range of activities, from basic research assistance to highly specialized engineering and testing. Contracts for R&D technical support can range from a few million dollars for niche expertise to hundreds of millions for large-scale program support. Given the Time and Materials pricing structure and the specialized nature of R&D, this contract appears to be within a reasonable range for substantial technical support, but a detailed benchmark would require comparing specific service scopes, required expertise, and contract durations.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials contract?

The primary risk associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract is cost escalation. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the cost of materials. If the scope of work is not clearly defined, or if project management is insufficient, the contractor may incur more labor hours or use more materials than initially anticipated, leading to a higher final cost than budgeted. This necessitates robust oversight from the government to monitor hours, approve expenditures, and ensure efficient performance. Another risk is potential scope creep, where the project expands beyond its original intent without a corresponding adjustment in the contract's ceiling or a re-competition.

How effective is full and open competition in ensuring value for money in specialized R&D contracts?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money, as it allows the widest possible range of qualified contractors to bid, fostering price competition. For specialized R&D contracts, however, the effectiveness can be moderated by the niche nature of the required expertise. If only a few companies possess the highly specialized skills needed, the competitive landscape might be limited despite the 'full and open' designation. In such cases, the government must rely heavily on well-defined performance metrics and strong contract management to ensure the chosen contractor delivers optimal value. The presence of only two bidders in this instance suggests that while the process was open, the specialized nature of the R&D support may have inherently limited the number of highly qualified and competitive respondents.

What are the historical spending patterns for R&D technical support services by the Department of the Army?

Historical spending patterns for R&D technical support services by the Department of the Army (DoA) are substantial and varied, reflecting the broad scope of research and development activities undertaken by the service. The DoA consistently invests in areas such as advanced materials, aerospace technology, C4ISR systems, and soldier modernization, often requiring specialized technical support. Spending can fluctuate year-to-year based on strategic priorities, emerging threats, and technological advancements. Contracts can range from small, targeted research grants to large, multi-year support agreements for major R&D programs. Analyzing specific historical data would reveal trends in contract types (e.g., T&M vs. fixed-price), dominant service providers, and key R&D focus areas, providing context for the current $49 million award.

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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5030 BRADFORD DR NW BLDG 2 STE 205, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35805

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $259,158,172

Exercised Options: $49,041,572

Current Obligation: $49,041,572

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W31P4Q20A0010

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline