DoD's $14.7M R&D contract for acquisition innovation awarded to Civil-Military Innovation Institute Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,723,842 ($14.7M)

Contractor: Civil-Military Innovation Institute Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-01-31

End Date: 2026-11-19

Contract Duration: 657 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 999

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGY TO IMPROVE ACQUISITION THROUGH MIDDLE-TIER TECHNOLOGY RECIPROCITY EXPERIMENTATION.

Place of Performance

Location: MORGANTOWN, MONONGALIA County, WEST VIRGINIA, 26505

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.7 million to CIVIL-MILITARY INNOVATION INSTITUTE INC for work described as: RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGY TO IMPROVE ACQUISITION THROUGH MIDDLE-TIER TECHNOLOGY RECIPROCITY EXPERIMENTATION. Key points: 1. Contract aims to enhance acquisition processes through technology experimentation. 2. Focus on middle-tier acquisition strategies suggests a need for agile and efficient procurement. 3. The fixed-price contract type indicates a defined scope and cost structure. 4. Awarded by the Department of the Army, highlighting a specific service branch's focus on modernization. 5. The duration of over 600 days suggests a substantial research and development effort. 6. The contract's objective is to foster innovation in how the DoD acquires technology.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific R&D contract is challenging without comparable projects focused on acquisition methodology innovation. The $14.7 million award for a 657-day period appears to be a significant investment in exploring new acquisition pathways. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and the potential return on investment in terms of improved acquisition efficiency and cost savings for future procurements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition indicates a broad market reach for this specialized R&D service.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Army, will benefit from potentially more efficient and innovative acquisition processes. The services delivered will focus on research and development methodologies for improving acquisition. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of the Army's operational sphere, with potential for broader DoD application. Workforce implications may include the development of new skills and approaches for acquisition professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The specific outcomes and tangible benefits of R&D into acquisition methodologies can be difficult to quantify upfront.
The success of the project is highly dependent on the expertise and innovation capabilities of the selected contractor.
Measuring the long-term impact and adoption of new acquisition techniques requires sustained effort and evaluation.

Positive Signals

The contract is awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
The focus on R&D for acquisition improvement suggests a proactive approach to modernizing DoD processes.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on methodologies for improving acquisition processes. The market for acquisition innovation R&D is niche, often involving think tanks, research institutions, and specialized consulting firms. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish as this contract targets a specific functional improvement rather than a direct technological capability.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not provided. As this is a research and development contract awarded through full and open competition, it is possible that small businesses could participate as prime contractors or subcontractors if they possess the requisite expertise. However, without specific details, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program management office within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures would be tied to the achievement of research milestones and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award announcements and reporting requirements, though the specifics of the R&D methodology itself may be proprietary.

Related Government Programs

Defense Acquisition University Programs
Middle Tier Acquisition Pathway
Rapid Prototyping Initiatives
Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for R&D outcomes to be theoretical rather than practically implementable.
Contractor's ability to deliver innovative and effective acquisition methodologies.
Challenges in adopting new methodologies within the existing DoD acquisition framework.
Difficulty in quantifying the return on investment for acquisition process improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.7 million to CIVIL-MILITARY INNOVATION INSTITUTE INC. RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGY TO IMPROVE ACQUISITION THROUGH MIDDLE-TIER TECHNOLOGY RECIPROCITY EXPERIMENTATION.

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 $14.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-31. End: 2026-11-19.

What is the track record of Civil-Military Innovation Institute Inc. in performing similar research and development contracts for the Department of Defense?

Assessing the track record of Civil-Military Innovation Institute Inc. requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving research and development in acquisition methodologies or related fields. Publicly available data, such as contract award histories and performance evaluations (if accessible), would be crucial. Without specific details on their past projects, it's difficult to definitively gauge their expertise. However, the award of this $14.7 million contract by the Department of the Army suggests they possess capabilities deemed sufficient for this specialized R&D effort. Further investigation into their portfolio, client feedback, and any documented successes or failures in similar endeavors would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability for this specific project.

How does the $14.7 million value of this contract compare to other R&D efforts focused on acquisition improvement within the DoD?

The $14.7 million value for this R&D contract focused on acquisition improvement is a substantial investment, indicating the Department of the Army's commitment to exploring innovative procurement strategies. Direct comparisons are challenging as R&D contracts for process improvement are less standardized than those for hardware or software development. However, this figure suggests a significant scope of work, likely involving extensive research, experimentation, and analysis over its 657-day duration. It implies a focus on developing novel methodologies or significantly refining existing ones. To contextualize further, one would need to examine the typical funding levels for initiatives within the Defense Acquisition University, the Defense Innovation Unit, or similar bodies that focus on enhancing acquisition efficiency and effectiveness. This contract appears to be a significant, potentially flagship, initiative within its specific domain.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Primary risks for this R&D contract include the inherent uncertainty of research outcomes, the potential for the developed methodologies to be difficult to implement or adopt within the complex DoD structure, and the possibility of cost overruns if the scope expands beyond initial projections, despite the firm-fixed-price nature. Contractor performance risk is also present, as the success hinges on the expertise of Civil-Military Innovation Institute Inc. Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous project management, clear milestone definitions, regular progress reviews, and potentially phased funding tied to demonstrable progress. The DoD may also employ subject matter experts to provide technical oversight and guidance. Furthermore, the contract's focus on 'experimentation' suggests a built-in flexibility to adapt approaches based on early findings, which can mitigate the risk of pursuing a flawed path.

What is the expected effectiveness of the research and development methodologies to be explored under this contract in improving DoD acquisition?

The expected effectiveness hinges on the specific R&D methodologies Civil-Military Innovation Institute Inc. will develop and test. The contract's objective is to 'improve acquisition through middle-tier technology reciprocity experimentation,' suggesting a focus on agile, rapid, and potentially more collaborative approaches to acquiring technology. If successful, these methodologies could lead to faster procurement cycles, better alignment of technology solutions with warfighter needs, and potentially reduced acquisition costs. The 'reciprocity' aspect might imply fostering stronger partnerships between the DoD and industry innovators. However, the true effectiveness will only be realized if these new methodologies are successfully adopted and integrated into the broader DoD acquisition ecosystem, which often faces cultural and bureaucratic hurdles. The success metrics will likely be tied to demonstrable improvements in speed, cost, or capability delivery in pilot programs.

How does this contract align with historical spending patterns for R&D related to acquisition reform within the Department of the Army?

This contract aligns with a broader historical trend within the Department of Defense, including the Army, to continuously seek improvements in acquisition processes. While specific dollar amounts for 'acquisition reform R&D' can be difficult to isolate from general R&D or operational budgets, there has been a consistent effort over decades to streamline procurement, adopt new technologies faster, and enhance efficiency. Initiatives like the Middle Tier Acquisition pathway, which this contract references, are part of this ongoing effort. Historically, the DoD has invested in studies, pilot programs, and technology demonstrations aimed at acquisition modernization. This $14.7 million contract represents a significant, focused investment within this ongoing strategic priority, likely building upon lessons learned from previous reform attempts and leveraging current technological advancements to propose new solutions.

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: W911NF23S0001

Offers Received: 999

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3592 COLLINS FERRY RD # 200, 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: $47,849,825

Exercised Options: $14,723,842

Current Obligation: $14,723,842

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline