DoD's $18.7M contract for accelerator technology research awarded to Science Engineering Management Solutions LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,747,172 ($18.7M)

Contractor: Science Engineering Management Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-10-26

End Date: 2026-08-14

Contract Duration: 1,753 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: COMPACT RUGGED ELECTRON ACCELERATOR TECHNOLOGY (CREATE)

Place of Performance

Location: ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87107

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $18.7 million to SCIENCE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: COMPACT RUGGED ELECTRON ACCELERATOR TECHNOLOGY (CREATE) Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Full and open competition indicates a broad market search for this technology. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for flexibility in research but requires careful cost monitoring. 4. Performance period spans over 1700 days, suggesting a long-term research objective. 5. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, implying larger firms or established entities were likely participants. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 points to specialized R&D services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns and performance metrics. The total award amount of $18.7 million over approximately 4.8 years suggests a significant investment in specialized research. However, without comparable contracts for similar accelerator technology development, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing is competitive or represents excellent value for money. The fixed fee component provides some cost certainty, but the cost-reimbursement aspect necessitates robust oversight to ensure efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that the Department of the Army sought proposals from all responsible sources. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovative solutions. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition implies that multiple entities were likely considered, contributing to price discovery and ensuring that the selected contractor offered the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it generally drives down costs and encourages a wider range of innovative solutions, ensuring that federal funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

This contract supports advancements in accelerator technology, which could have broad applications in scientific research and potentially other fields. The research is being conducted by Science Engineering Management Solutions LLC, a private sector entity. The geographic impact is primarily linked to the contractor's location in New Mexico, though the research outcomes may have national or international implications. The contract supports specialized scientific and engineering roles within the contractor's workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The long duration of the contract requires sustained oversight to ensure progress and prevent scope creep.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and effectiveness of the research.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contract supports critical research and development in a specialized scientific field.
The fixed fee component provides a degree of cost predictability for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for specialized accelerator technology research is niche, often involving a limited number of highly specialized firms. Government spending in this area is crucial for driving innovation and maintaining technological superiority. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of accelerator technology, but R&D contracts of this magnitude typically represent significant investments in future capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data indicates no small business subcontracting goals were specified. This suggests that the primary contractor is likely a larger entity capable of performing the research independently or that the nature of the work did not lend itself to small business participation. The absence of set-asides means that opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in this specific contract are limited, though they may be involved in the broader R&D ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract will likely involve regular reviews of incurred costs, progress reports on research milestones, and adherence to the fixed fee agreement. The Department of the Army's contracting officer and technical representatives will be responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance. Transparency regarding research outcomes and expenditures would be beneficial for public accountability, though detailed R&D progress is often proprietary.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Advanced Technology Development Contracts
Physical Sciences Research
Engineering Research Services

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF Contract)
Performance Monitoring Challenges (Long-term R&D)
Technology Transition Uncertainty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $18.7 million to SCIENCE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS LLC. COMPACT RUGGED ELECTRON ACCELERATOR TECHNOLOGY (CREATE)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-10-26. End: 2026-08-14.

What is the track record of Science Engineering Management Solutions LLC in performing similar R&D contracts for the Department of Defense?

Assessing the track record of Science Engineering Management Solutions LLC requires a review of their past performance on similar Department of Defense (DoD) contracts. Specific details on their history with R&D in accelerator technology or related fields would be crucial. A thorough analysis would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any reported issues or successes. Without this specific data, it's difficult to gauge their experience level and reliability for this particular project. However, being awarded a contract of this nature suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and capabilities deemed sufficient by the Army at the time of award.

How does the $18.7 million award compare to typical R&D investments in accelerator technology?

The $18.7 million award for accelerator technology research represents a substantial investment, but its comparability to other R&D efforts in this specific niche is complex. Accelerator technology research can vary widely in scope and cost, from fundamental physics experiments to applied engineering for specific applications. Contracts for developing novel accelerator components or systems can range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the technological maturity, scale, and objectives. To benchmark this award effectively, one would need to compare it against contracts for similar research phases (e.g., early-stage development vs. prototype testing) and specific technological goals. The duration of the contract (over 1700 days) also indicates a long-term research commitment, which is typical for foundational R&D.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts, like the one awarded to Science Engineering Management Solutions LLC, present specific risks for the government in R&D settings. The primary risk is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs rigorously, as the government reimburses allowable costs plus a fixed fee. This can lead to cost overruns if the initial cost estimates are inaccurate or if unforeseen technical challenges arise, increasing the scope of work. For the government, effective oversight is paramount to ensure that all reimbursed costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable, and that the fixed fee remains appropriate. There's also a risk that the contractor might prioritize activities that maximize cost reimbursement over achieving the most efficient research outcomes, although the fixed fee aims to provide some incentive for completion.

What are the potential long-term benefits or applications of the research funded by this contract?

The research funded by this contract, focused on 'COMPACT RUGGED ELECTRON ACCELERATOR TECHNOLOGY (CREATE)', has the potential for significant long-term benefits and diverse applications. Compact and rugged accelerators are crucial for advancing fields such as medical imaging and treatment (e.g., proton therapy, portable X-ray sources), industrial processing (e.g., materials modification, sterilization), security (e.g., cargo scanning), and fundamental scientific research. Developing more robust and portable accelerator systems could democratize access to these technologies, making them more affordable and deployable in a wider range of settings, including remote or challenging environments. The 'rugged' aspect suggests an emphasis on durability and reliability, which is critical for operational deployment beyond controlled laboratory conditions.

How does this contract align with the Department of Defense's broader strategic goals in advanced technology development?

This contract aligns with the Department of Defense's (DoD) broader strategic goals by investing in foundational advanced technologies that can enhance national security capabilities. The development of compact and rugged accelerator technology could have dual-use applications, benefiting both military operations and civilian sectors. For the DoD, such technology could lead to advancements in areas like directed energy weapons, advanced sensor systems, improved battlefield diagnostics, or more efficient logistics and maintenance capabilities. By funding research in cutting-edge areas like accelerator physics and engineering, the DoD aims to maintain a technological edge over potential adversaries and foster innovation that can be transitioned into future defense systems.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Solicitation ID: HR001121S0006

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2420 COMANCHE RD NE STE I1, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87107

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,435,123

Exercised Options: $20,435,123

Current Obligation: $18,747,172

Actual Outlays: $9,466,731

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline