DoD's $24.3M R&D contract with Brain Trauma Foundation shows long-term commitment to physical sciences research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,327,238 ($24.3M)

Contractor: Brain Trauma Foundation, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2011-12-08

End Date: 2017-12-13

Contract Duration: 2,197 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10007

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.3 million to BRAIN TRAUMA FOUNDATION, INC. for work described as: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these specialized R&D services. 2. The contract's duration of nearly six years indicates a significant, long-term research objective. 3. Fixed-price contract type likely provides cost certainty for the government, shifting performance risk to the contractor. 4. The specific NAICS code (541712) points to a focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences research, excluding biotechnology. 5. Awarded by the Department of the Army, this contract aligns with defense-related research priorities. 6. The contractor, Brain Trauma Foundation, Inc., is a non-profit organization, potentially indicating a mission-driven approach to research.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific R&D contract is challenging without comparable projects. The fixed-price nature suggests an attempt at cost control, but the total award amount of over $24 million over nearly six years requires scrutiny. Without detailed performance metrics or cost breakdowns, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the long duration and specific research focus suggest a substantial investment in a particular area of scientific inquiry.

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 bids. This suggests a competitive environment where multiple entities likely vied for the contract. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of offers, potentially leading to more competitive pricing and innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense and potentially military personnel, through advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences research. The services delivered are research and development activities, contributing to scientific knowledge and potential technological advancements. The geographic impact is primarily associated with the contractor's location in New York (NY), though the research outcomes could have broader national or even global implications. Workforce implications would involve scientists, researchers, and support staff employed by the Brain Trauma Foundation, Inc. and potentially subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to gauge the effectiveness and efficiency of the R&D investment.
The long contract duration without clear interim deliverables could pose a risk of scope creep or research stagnation.
Limited information on the specific research objectives makes it hard to assess alignment with current defense needs.
The absence of data on the number of bidders in the full and open competition limits the assessment of competitive intensity.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract supports research and development in critical scientific areas, potentially leading to significant advancements.
The long duration suggests a sustained commitment to a research program, allowing for in-depth investigation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences (NAICS 541712). This sector is characterized by innovation and long-term investment. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the specific research area, but R&D contracts can range from millions to billions of dollars depending on the scope and strategic importance. The Department of Defense is a significant investor in R&D to maintain technological superiority.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides, as the contractor is listed as Brain Trauma Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. Subcontracting implications are not detailed, but large R&D efforts often involve specialized subcontractors. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless significant subcontracting opportunities were directed towards small businesses, which is not specified.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve the Department of the Army's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified research outcomes. Transparency is dependent on the public availability of research findings and contract performance reports, which may be limited due to the nature of defense-related R&D. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development
Army Research Laboratory Contracts
Medical Research Contracts
Physical Sciences Research Grants
Engineering Research and Development

Risk Flags

Long contract duration without clear interim deliverables.
Potential for cost overruns in fixed-price R&D contracts.
Limited public information on specific research outcomes.
Difficulty in benchmarking R&D contract value without detailed context.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.3 million to BRAIN TRAUMA FOUNDATION, INC.. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRAIN TRAUMA FOUNDATION, 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 $24.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-12-08. End: 2017-12-13.

What specific research outcomes were achieved under this contract?

Detailed information regarding the specific research outcomes achieved under this contract is not publicly available in the provided data. Contracts for Research and Development (R&D) often have deliverables that are scientific papers, prototypes, or data sets. Given the contractor is the Brain Trauma Foundation, Inc., the research likely pertained to understanding, preventing, or treating brain trauma, potentially with applications relevant to military personnel. The long duration (2197 days) suggests a substantial research effort. Further investigation into the contractor's publications or reports from the Department of the Army would be necessary to ascertain the specific achievements.

How does the $24.3 million award compare to similar R&D contracts in the physical sciences sector?

Comparing the $24.3 million award for this specific R&D contract requires context regarding the scope and duration. R&D contracts in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (NAICS 541712) can vary significantly in value. Contracts supporting fundamental research or early-stage development might be smaller, while those focused on developing advanced technologies or complex systems can reach hundreds of millions or even billions. This $24.3 million contract, spanning nearly six years, appears to represent a significant, long-term investment in a particular research area. Without knowing the precise nature of the research and the number of bidders, a direct comparison to 'similar' contracts is difficult, but it indicates a substantial commitment by the Department of the Army.

What are the primary risks associated with a nearly six-year fixed-price R&D contract?

A primary risk with a long-duration, fixed-price R&D contract is the potential for the contractor to face unforeseen cost increases due to the inherent uncertainties in research. While the fixed price shifts financial risk to the contractor, if costs escalate dramatically beyond projections, the contractor might struggle to complete the work or deliver the expected quality. Another risk is scope creep, where the research objectives may evolve, potentially leading to disputes over contract terms or additional costs. For the government, there's also the risk that the research may not yield the desired results or become obsolete before completion. Ensuring clear milestones and regular progress reviews is crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the track record of Brain Trauma Foundation, Inc. in securing and executing federal R&D contracts?

The provided data indicates that Brain Trauma Foundation, Inc. was awarded this specific $24.3 million contract by the Department of the Army. This suggests they have a track record of successfully competing for and being awarded federal R&D funding. As a non-profit organization, their focus is likely mission-driven. Without access to broader federal procurement databases or performance reviews, it's challenging to provide a comprehensive assessment of their overall track record. However, securing a contract of this magnitude and duration implies a level of capability and credibility recognized by the awarding agency.

How does the 'full and open competition' procurement method impact the value and innovation for this contract?

The 'full and open competition' method is designed to maximize the pool of potential offerors, thereby fostering a competitive environment. This typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government, as contractors vie to win the award. Furthermore, opening the competition to all responsible sources can encourage innovation by allowing a wider range of approaches and technologies to be proposed. For this R&D contract, it suggests that the Department of the Army sought the most capable and cost-effective solution available in the market, potentially leading to both value for money and novel research methodologies or outcomes.

What is the historical spending pattern for R&D contracts under NAICS code 541712 by the Department of the Army?

Historical spending patterns for R&D contracts under NAICS code 541712 by the Department of the Army are substantial, reflecting the military's continuous need for technological advancement. While specific aggregate figures for this NAICS code are not provided here, the Department of Defense as a whole is one of the largest federal investors in R&D. Contracts in this category often support research in areas like advanced materials, sensor technology, communication systems, and medical countermeasures. The Army's spending in this area is driven by its operational requirements and strategic goals, aiming to maintain a technological edge. Analyzing trends would require examining procurement data over multiple fiscal years to identify fluctuations and areas of increased investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7 WORLD TRADE CTR FL 34, NEW YORK, NY, 10007

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,327,238

Exercised Options: $24,327,238

Current Obligation: $24,327,238

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline