DoD awards $6.7M R&D task order to Carnegie Mellon University for advanced research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,712,366 ($6.7M)

Contractor: Carnegie Mellon University

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-03-06

End Date: 2028-07-06

Contract Duration: 1,583 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TASK ORDER 8 (TO8) TO CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY (CMU) BASE IDIQ W911QX-20-D-0008

Place of Performance

Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15213

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $6.7 million to CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY for work described as: TASK ORDER 8 (TO8) TO CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY (CMU) BASE IDIQ W911QX-20-D-0008 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on cutting-edge research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Carnegie Mellon University, a recognized leader in research, is the sole awardee. 3. The contract duration spans over four years, indicating a long-term research commitment. 4. Awarded under a full and open competition, suggesting a competitive initial selection process. 5. The contract type is Cost No Fee, aligning with research objectives where outcomes can be uncertain. 6. This award contributes to the broader Department of the Army's technological advancement goals.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.7 million over approximately four years for specialized R&D is within a reasonable range for complex research projects. As a Cost No Fee contract, the government pays allowable costs up to the ceiling, with the contractor not earning a fee. This structure is common in research where the final deliverables and associated costs can be difficult to predict precisely. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for advanced scientific research would be necessary for a more definitive value assessment, but the award to a reputable institution like Carnegie Mellon suggests a focus on expertise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under a base IDIQ contract (W911QX-20-D-0008) that was itself competed full and open. The specific task order competition details are not provided, but the initial IDIQ competition implies that multiple offerors were considered. The fact that Carnegie Mellon University received this specific task order suggests they were among the most qualified or best-suited offerors for this particular research requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition for the underlying IDIQ contract generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring a broad range of potential contractors are considered, leading to potentially better pricing and innovation.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and the Army, gaining access to advanced research capabilities. The services delivered involve cutting-edge research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The geographic impact is primarily within Pennsylvania, where Carnegie Mellon University is located, but the research findings can have national security implications. Workforce implications include support for researchers, scientists, and technical staff at Carnegie Mellon University.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for research outcomes to be highly specialized and not immediately applicable to broad defense needs.
Cost No Fee structure requires careful monitoring of allowable costs to ensure fiscal responsibility.
Reliance on a single institution for this specific task order may limit alternative research avenues if initial approaches prove unfruitful.

Positive Signals

Award to a leading research institution like Carnegie Mellon University increases the likelihood of high-quality, innovative research.
The long-term nature of the contract allows for sustained focus on complex research problems.
The IDIQ structure under which this task order was awarded likely involved a competitive process for the base contract, ensuring a vetted pool of performers.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for defense modernization, aiming to develop next-generation technologies. The market for such specialized R&D is often dominated by universities and specialized research institutions due to their expertise and infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale R&D contracts awarded by the DoD to academic institutions for similar scientific pursuits.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Carnegie Mellon University is a large research institution. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this specific task order, but large research institutions often engage small businesses for specialized support services or components.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Army contracting and program management offices. As a Cost No Fee contract, financial oversight will focus on the allowability and reasonableness of incurred costs. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting mechanisms, and while specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction for this task order isn't detailed, the DoD IG has broad oversight over defense spending.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Army Futures Command Research Initiatives
Advanced Technology Development Contracts
University Research Partnerships

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CNF Contract)
Research Outcome Uncertainty
Reliance on Single Institution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $6.7 million to CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY. TASK ORDER 8 (TO8) TO CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY (CMU) BASE IDIQ W911QX-20-D-0008

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-06. End: 2028-07-06.

What is Carnegie Mellon University's track record with Department of Defense contracts, particularly in R&D?

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has a long and distinguished history of collaborating with the Department of Defense (DoD) on research and development projects. CMU's various research institutes, such as the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) and the Robotics Institute, have consistently secured significant funding from the DoD across a wide spectrum of scientific and engineering disciplines. Their track record includes contributions to areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems, and advanced materials. The university is known for its ability to attract top-tier researchers and manage complex, long-term research endeavors. The award of this specific task order (TO8) under an existing IDIQ further suggests a continued positive relationship and demonstrated capability in fulfilling DoD research requirements. CMU's consistent success in obtaining DoD funding underscores its reputation as a leading research institution capable of delivering high-impact scientific and technological advancements relevant to national security.

How does the $6.7 million value compare to similar R&D task orders awarded by the Department of the Army?

The $6.7 million value for this task order is within the typical range for specialized research and development efforts awarded by the Department of the Army, especially when executed by a leading academic institution like Carnegie Mellon University. The Army frequently awards task orders in the multi-million dollar range for advanced R&D projects that require deep scientific expertise and extended research periods. For instance, contracts for developing new materials, advanced computing algorithms, or complex system prototypes can easily reach or exceed this amount. The 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type, used here, often involves projects where the scope of work and final costs are less predictable, making a fixed-price contract less suitable. While a precise benchmark requires access to a comprehensive database of all Army R&D task orders, $6.7 million for a four-year research effort at a top-tier university is considered a substantial but not extraordinary investment for critical technological advancement.

What are the primary risks associated with this Cost No Fee (CNF) contract structure for the government?

The primary risk for the government with a Cost No Fee (CNF) contract structure is the potential for cost overruns beyond the initially estimated ceiling, as the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred. While the contractor does not earn a fee, they are incentivized to complete the work, but the government bears the financial risk if costs escalate unexpectedly. Effective oversight is crucial to ensure that all costs submitted by Carnegie Mellon University are allowable, reasonable, and allocable to the contract's objectives. Without stringent monitoring, there's a risk of inefficient resource utilization or scope creep that inflates costs without a commensurate increase in value. The government also assumes the risk that the research may not yield the desired outcomes, a common characteristic of R&D, but the CNF structure means the government has already funded the incurred costs regardless of success.

How does the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' classification impact the expected outcomes and timeline?

The classification 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)' indicates that this task order focuses on fundamental and applied scientific inquiry aimed at discovering new knowledge or developing new capabilities within these broad domains. Outcomes are inherently uncertain and may range from theoretical breakthroughs to proof-of-concept prototypes. The timeline of over four years (1583 days) is appropriate for the iterative and often lengthy process of scientific research, which can involve experimentation, analysis, and refinement. Unlike development contracts with clearly defined end-products, R&D projects often have milestones that are knowledge-based rather than deliverable-based. This classification suggests the research could lead to advancements in areas like advanced materials, novel engineering processes, or biological insights with potential defense applications, but the specific end-goal might evolve as the research progresses.

What does the 'full and open competition' for the base IDIQ imply about the selection of Carnegie Mellon University for this task order?

The 'full and open competition' for the base IDIQ contract (W911QX-20-D-0008) signifies that the initial contract vehicle was made available to all responsible sources, and any responsible source could submit an offer. This process is designed to maximize competition and ensure the government obtains the best value. When a specific task order is then awarded to Carnegie Mellon University under this IDIQ, it implies that CMU was either one of the pre-qualified awardees of the IDIQ, or that the task order itself was competed among IDIQ holders, and CMU's proposal was deemed the most advantageous. Given CMU's status as a research institution, it's likely they were a strong contender in the initial IDIQ competition due to their expertise, or they were selected through a competitive process for this specific task order based on their unique qualifications for the stated research objectives.

Are there any specific performance metrics or deliverables outlined for this task order, given its R&D nature?

While the provided data does not detail specific performance metrics or deliverables, R&D contracts, especially those classified under 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences,' typically outline milestones related to research progress rather than fixed end-products. These might include interim research reports, presentations of findings, experimental data analysis, development of theoretical models, or demonstrations of proof-of-concept technologies. Given the Cost No Fee structure, performance is often assessed based on the contractor's diligent pursuit of the research objectives and adherence to the research plan, rather than the achievement of a specific, guaranteed outcome. The contract documentation would detail the specific reporting requirements and review processes that serve as the basis for performance evaluation and continued funding.

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

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5000 FORBES AVE, PITTSBURGH, PA, 15213

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,597,459

Exercised Options: $8,643,694

Current Obligation: $6,712,366

Actual Outlays: $943,547

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W911QX20D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline