DoD's $10.9M R&D Contract with Texas Tech University System: A Decade of Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,942,742 ($10.9M)
Contractor: Texas Tech University System
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2005-09-20
End Date: 2014-09-08
Contract Duration: 3,275 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 99
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Place of Performance
Location: LUBBOCK, LUBBOCK County, TEXAS, 79409
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $10.9 million to TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM for work described as: Key points: 1. Significant investment in R&D, focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Long contract duration (99 months) suggests a sustained research effort. 3. Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive bidding process. 4. No small business participation noted, which could be a missed opportunity for economic inclusion.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $10.9 million over 99 months averages approximately $110,532 per month. Without specific deliverables or benchmarks, it's difficult to assess value definitively, but it appears moderate for a long-term research project.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting advanced research and development, potentially leading to technological advancements. The long duration implies a sustained commitment to the research area.
Public Impact
Supports scientific advancement in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Long-term commitment to research may yield significant technological breakthroughs. Potential for knowledge transfer and innovation stemming from university research. Contract duration of nearly a decade suggests a deep dive into complex research areas.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of small business participation.
- Long contract duration may not always reflect agile research needs.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition.
- Significant investment in R&D.
- Long-term research commitment.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector (NAICS 541710). Spending in this area is crucial for innovation and national security, with significant government investment annually.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates no small business participation (sb: false). This suggests that the prime contractor, Texas Tech University System, did not subcontract with small businesses for this award, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller entities in this research endeavor.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's long duration and significant value warrant ongoing oversight to ensure research objectives are met efficiently and effectively. Regular reviews of progress and spending are essential for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of small business subcontracting.
- Long contract duration without clear performance milestones.
- Limited public information on specific research deliverables.
- Potential for cost overruns in long-term research projects.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, tx, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $10.9 million to TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $10.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-09-20. End: 2014-09-08.
What specific research outcomes or technological advancements were expected from this $10.9 million contract, and were they achieved?
The contract details do not specify the exact research outcomes. However, given the NAICS code (541710), the expected outcomes likely involve advancements in physical, engineering, or life sciences. Assessing achievement would require reviewing project reports, publications, or patents generated during the contract period (2005-2014).
How did the full and open competition process ensure the most cost-effective research approach for the Department of the Army?
Full and open competition theoretically allows multiple qualified entities to bid, fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and encourage innovative solutions. The Department of the Army likely evaluated proposals based on technical merit, past performance, and price to select the most advantageous offer.
What is the long-term impact of this sustained R&D investment on the Department of Defense's technological capabilities?
Sustained R&D investments like this one are critical for maintaining a technological edge. The research conducted by Texas Tech University System could have led to foundational discoveries or applied technologies that enhance military capabilities, improve operational effectiveness, or create new defense solutions.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: TWO STEP
Offers Received: 99
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2500 BROADWAY, LUBBOCK, TX, 19
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-09-20
Current End Date: 2014-09-08
Potential End Date: 2014-09-08 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-09-08
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