DoD's $43.6M Project Emergence R&D contract awarded to Civil-Military Innovation Institute Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $43,625,430 ($43.6M)

Contractor: Civil-Military Innovation Institute Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-07-18

End Date: 2026-07-06

Contract Duration: 1,084 days

Daily Burn Rate: $40.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 999

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: PROJECT EMERGENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D)

Place of Performance

Location: MORGANTOWN, MONONGALIA County, WEST VIRGINIA, 26505

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $43.6 million to CIVIL-MILITARY INNOVATION INSTITUTE INC for work described as: PROJECT EMERGENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs and manage risk. 4. Long duration of 1084 days indicates a significant, multi-year research effort. 5. Contractor's performance and value will be assessed against similar R&D efforts. 6. Geographic focus on West Virginia may indicate regional economic development goals.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $43.6 million over approximately three years appears reasonable for a complex R&D initiative in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. Benchmarking against similar government R&D contracts would provide a more precise assessment of value for money. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control, assuming the scope is well-defined. The relatively low number of bids (999 is likely a placeholder or error, actual bids are needed for proper analysis) could impact price competitiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This method generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovation. The number of bids received is crucial for assessing the true level of competition; a high number of bids would strengthen the argument for competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to vie for the contract, driving down costs and improving the quality of services or products delivered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are expected to be the Department of Defense and potentially the advancement of scientific knowledge in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The contract will deliver research and development outcomes, the specifics of which are not detailed but fall under advanced scientific fields. The geographic impact is noted as West Virginia, suggesting potential for local economic stimulus and workforce development in that region. Workforce implications may include the creation of specialized R&D jobs, particularly within the contractor's organization and potentially in the West Virginia area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the R&D scope makes it difficult to assess the true value and potential risks.
The placeholder number of bids (999) needs clarification to accurately gauge competition.
Potential for cost overruns if the R&D proves more complex or challenging than initially anticipated, despite the fixed-price structure.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and competitive process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Focus on R&D aligns with strategic goals for technological advancement.
Contract duration allows for thorough research and development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences (NAICS 541715). This is a broad category encompassing fundamental research, applied research, and experimental development. The market for such services is characterized by specialized expertise, high intellectual capital, and often long development cycles. Government spending in this area is critical for driving innovation and maintaining technological superiority.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false, and there is no explicit small business set-aside (ss). This suggests the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. While the prime contractor is identified, information regarding subcontracting plans or opportunities for small businesses is not provided. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain or as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the awarding agency, the Department of the Army, a component of the Department of Defense. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specific outcomes within a set budget. Transparency would be enhanced by public reporting of milestones and deliverables, though detailed R&D progress is often sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Advanced Technology Development Contracts
Physical Sciences Research Grants
Engineering Research Initiatives
Life Sciences Research Funding

Risk Flags

Unclear R&D scope
Potential for technical challenges in R&D
Need for contractor performance history review

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $43.6 million to CIVIL-MILITARY INNOVATION INSTITUTE INC. PROJECT EMERGENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CIVIL-MILITARY INNOVATION INSTITUTE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $43.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-07-18. End: 2026-07-06.

What is the specific technical scope and expected deliverables for Project Emergence R&D?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541715, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).' However, the specific technical scope and expected deliverables for 'Project Emergence' are not detailed in the summary data. Typically, R&D contracts of this nature involve activities ranging from basic scientific inquiry to applied research and experimental development aimed at creating new technologies, processes, or knowledge. Deliverables could include research reports, prototypes, data sets, scientific publications, or demonstrations of new capabilities. Without further documentation, the precise nature of the work remains undefined.

How does the contract value of $43.6 million compare to similar R&D contracts in the physical, engineering, and life sciences sector?

The contract value of $43.6 million over approximately three years is substantial for an R&D project. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against other definitive contracts awarded by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies for similar R&D activities under NAICS 541715. Factors such as the specific research area (e.g., materials science, aerospace engineering, biomedical research), the duration of the project, and the contractor's expertise would influence comparable contract values. A preliminary assessment suggests this is a significant investment, warranting scrutiny to ensure it aligns with market rates for comparable research efforts.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm fixed-price R&D contract?

While a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract is designed to control costs, R&D projects inherently carry significant risk due to the uncertainty of scientific discovery and technological development. The primary risks include: 1) Scope Creep: If the R&D objectives are not clearly defined, the contractor may struggle to meet them, leading to potential disputes or requests for contract modifications. 2) Technical Feasibility: The research may prove more complex or less feasible than anticipated, potentially resulting in delays or failure to achieve desired outcomes within the budget. 3) Contractor Capability: Despite competition, the selected contractor might lack the specific expertise or resources to successfully complete the R&D. 4) Unforeseen Costs: Although FFP, unexpected challenges could arise that strain the contractor's ability to deliver without requesting additional funding or compromising quality.

What is the track record of Civil-Military Innovation Institute Inc. in performing similar government R&D contracts?

Information regarding the track record of Civil-Military Innovation Institute Inc. is not provided in the summary data. A thorough assessment would require examining the company's past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. This would include reviewing past performance evaluations, any contract disputes or terminations, and the successful completion of similar projects. Without this historical data, it is difficult to ascertain the contractor's reliability and capability to execute this specific R&D effort effectively.

What are the implications of the contract being awarded in West Virginia?

The contract's designation of West Virginia (WV) as its location suggests a potential focus on regional economic development, workforce training, or leveraging specific state resources or research institutions. Awarding significant R&D contracts to specific geographic areas can stimulate local economies by creating high-skilled jobs, fostering innovation ecosystems, and potentially leading to the establishment or expansion of research facilities. This could also indicate a strategic effort by the Department of Defense to diversify its R&D investments geographically or to support emerging technology hubs within the state.

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 › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Solicitation ID: W911NF17S0003

Offers Received: 999

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3592 COLLINS FERRY RD, MORGANTOWN, WV, 26505

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,019,956

Exercised Options: $46,019,956

Current Obligation: $43,625,430

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline