DoD awards $4.45M R&D contract to SEATTLE INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH for physical, engineering, and life sciences research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,452,838 ($4.5M)
Contractor: Seattle Institute for Biomedical and Clinical Research
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-09-25
End Date: 2026-09-24
Contract Duration: 2,190 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT
Sector: R&D
Official Description: JW190426 FY19 NEW START
Place of Performance
Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98108
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $4.5 million to SEATTLE INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH for work described as: JW190426 FY19 NEW START Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single entity for specialized R&D services. 2. Focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences research, excluding nano/biotech. 3. Long-term contract duration (2020-2026) suggests ongoing project needs. 4. No small business participation indicated.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $4.45M over 6 years is moderate. Without specific performance metrics or benchmarks for similar R&D contracts, assessing value for money is difficult. The fixed-price level-of-effort structure may limit cost control if scope creeps.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers. The justification for sole-source procurement is not provided.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in a higher cost to taxpayers compared to a competitively awarded contract.
Public Impact
Supports advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences research. Potential for new discoveries and technological innovations. Funding directed to a specific research institute in Washington state.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- No indication of small business participation.
- Long contract duration without clear performance metrics.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences.
- Long-term commitment to a specific research area.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Federal spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but requires careful oversight to ensure value and effective use of funds, especially in sole-source scenarios.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. This suggests the award was made to a larger entity or that opportunities for small businesses were not pursued or identified.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the price is fair and reasonable and that the research objectives are being met effectively. Transparency regarding the justification for non-competition is essential.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Health Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- No small business participation
- Long contract duration
- Unclear performance metrics
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, wa, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $4.5 million to SEATTLE INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH. JW190426 FY19 NEW START
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SEATTLE INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Health Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $4.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-09-25. End: 2026-09-24.
What is the specific research objective and expected outcome of this contract, and how does it align with DoD priorities?
The contract's objective is R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Without further details, it's difficult to ascertain the specific outcomes or alignment with DoD priorities. A review of the SOW and justification for sole-source award would clarify the research's strategic importance and expected deliverables, ensuring taxpayer funds support critical defense-related advancements.
What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?
The justification for this sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source contracts are used when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. Understanding this justification is crucial for assessing whether competition was appropriately bypassed and if taxpayers received fair value, or if alternative competitive approaches could have yielded better results.
How will the effectiveness and impact of the research funded by this contract be measured and evaluated?
The provided data does not detail how the effectiveness or impact of the research will be measured. For a fixed-price level-of-effort contract, evaluation often relies on milestones and deliverables outlined in the Statement of Work. Robust oversight and clear performance metrics are necessary to ensure the $4.45M investment yields tangible scientific advancements and meets the intended research goals.
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 › N – Health R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: W81XWH19RJWMR
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT (B)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1660 S COLUMBIAN WAY # 151F, SEATTLE, WA, 98108
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,452,838
Exercised Options: $4,452,838
Current Obligation: $4,452,838
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 7
Total Subaward Amount: $2,081,616
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-09-25
Current End Date: 2026-09-24
Potential End Date: 2026-09-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-12
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