DoD's $41.17M R&D Contract with SAIC for TEC-18 Research Area

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $41,169,713 ($41.2M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-03-15

End Date: 2015-08-05

Contract Duration: 1,969 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: S120D20 BAA FY2010: RESEARCH AREA TOPIC TEC-18

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $41.2 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: S120D20 BAA FY2010: RESEARCH AREA TOPIC TEC-18 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Science Applications International Corporation for R&D. 2. Full and open competition was utilized. 3. Potential for high-value research outcomes in social sciences and humanities. 4. Long contract duration (1969 days) may indicate complex project scope.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The total award amount is substantial, but without specific performance metrics or benchmarks for this unique research area, a precise value assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the specific nature of the research topic (TEC-18) might limit the number of truly competitive bids.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting specialized research. The value for money depends on the successful outcomes and applicability of the research findings.

Public Impact

Funding advanced research in social sciences and humanities. Potential for new insights and methodologies in the field. Contract duration spans multiple fiscal years, indicating long-term investment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost escalation.
  • Long duration may indicate project complexity or potential delays.
  • Specific research topic might limit competitive landscape.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded under full and open competition.
  • Supports critical R&D in social sciences.
  • Significant investment in a specialized area.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (NAICS 541720). Spending in this sector is often project-specific and driven by agency research priorities rather than broad infrastructure needs.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to a large business (Science Applications International Corporation) and there is no indication of small business participation or set-asides in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). The long duration and cost-plus nature necessitate diligent monitoring to ensure cost control and research progress.

Related Government Programs

  • Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
  • Long contract duration (1969 days).
  • Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
  • Potential for limited competition due to specialized research topic.

Tags

research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $41.2 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. S120D20 BAA FY2010: RESEARCH AREA TOPIC TEC-18

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $41.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-03-15. End: 2015-08-05.

What specific research outcomes were achieved under this contract, and how do they align with the Department of Defense's strategic goals?

The provided data does not detail the specific research outcomes or their alignment with DoD strategic goals. Further investigation into project reports and performance evaluations would be necessary to assess the tangible results and their impact on national security objectives or policy development.

Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure and long duration, what mechanisms were in place to mitigate cost overruns and ensure efficient use of taxpayer funds?

While the contract type allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee, effective oversight by the DCMA is crucial. This would involve regular audits, performance reviews, and potentially incentive structures to manage costs. The long duration suggests a need for phased reviews and milestone tracking to ensure progress and prevent scope creep.

How did the 'full and open competition' process ensure a competitive price for this specialized R&D topic, and were there any challenges in attracting a diverse range of bidders?

Full and open competition theoretically maximizes the bidder pool, driving competitive pricing. However, for highly specialized R&D topics like TEC-18, the number of qualified bidders might be inherently limited. The agency likely assessed the market to ensure sufficient competition existed, but the specific details of bidder engagement and price negotiation are not available.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTGeneral Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1710 SAIC DR, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $74,983,849

Exercised Options: $74,983,849

Current Obligation: $41,169,713

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2010-03-15

Current End Date: 2015-08-05

Potential End Date: 2015-08-05 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2017-05-25

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