Nautilus Defense LLC awarded $3.68M contract for R&D, with 1,898 days duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,676,832 ($3.7M)

Contractor: Nautilus Defense LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-02-17

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,898 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: BAA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Place of Performance

Location: PAWTUCKET, PROVIDENCE County, RHODE ISLAND, 02860

State: Rhode Island Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $3.7 million to NAUTILUS DEFENSE LLC for work described as: BAA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price, indicating clear cost expectations. 3. The duration of 1,898 days (over 5 years) suggests a long-term research and development effort. 4. The contract falls under NAICS code 541715, focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D. 5. The awardee, Nautilus Defense LLC, is positioned to deliver specialized research services. 6. The contract's value is moderate within the context of large-scale federal R&D procurements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.68 million for over five years of R&D services appears reasonable, especially given the specialized nature of physical, engineering, and life sciences research. Without specific benchmarks for comparable R&D projects in this niche, a direct price comparison is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has negotiated a set cost for the defined scope of work, which can be a good indicator of value if the scope is well-defined and achievable. The duration of the contract also implies a significant investment in a particular research area.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but the use of full and open competition generally indicates a healthy level of market interest and potential for competitive pricing. This approach allows the government to solicit proposals from a wide range of qualified contractors, increasing the likelihood of selecting the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and access to a broader range of innovative solutions. This method ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, fostering a more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense and potentially other government entities requiring advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The services delivered will focus on research and development, aiming to produce new knowledge, technologies, or methodologies. The geographic impact is primarily associated with the contractor's location in Rhode Island, but the R&D outcomes could have national or even global implications. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for researchers, scientists, and support staff at Nautilus Defense LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to scope creep if not managed tightly.
Reliance on a single contractor for a multi-year R&D effort may limit exposure to alternative approaches.
The specific R&D outcomes are uncertain, posing a risk of not achieving desired technological advancements.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive environment that can drive quality and efficiency.
The contract is for R&D, which is crucial for technological advancement and national security.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically within the physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for innovation and technological advancement, often involving significant investment by both government and private entities. The market for specialized R&D services is competitive, with numerous firms vying for government contracts. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within broader defense or science agency R&D budgets, where investments can range from millions to billions of dollars depending on the scope and strategic importance.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, as indicated by 'ss: false' and 'sb: false'. Therefore, small businesses are not specifically targeted for this award. However, Nautilus Defense LLC, as the prime contractor, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill certain aspects of the research and development work, depending on their own subcontracting plans and the nature of the required services. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem would be indirect, primarily through potential subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring Nautilus Defense LLC to deliver on the defined scope of work within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though the specifics of the R&D may be subject to proprietary or national security considerations. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Army Science and Technology Initiatives
Physical Sciences Research Contracts
Engineering Development Contracts
Life Sciences Research Grants

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or obsolescence.
R&D outcomes are inherently uncertain and may not yield desired results.
Contractor's specific past performance on similar R&D projects needs further review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $3.7 million to NAUTILUS DEFENSE LLC. BAA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NAUTILUS DEFENSE 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 $3.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-02-17. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the track record of Nautilus Defense LLC in performing similar R&D contracts for the Department of Defense?

Assessing the track record of Nautilus Defense LLC requires a review of their past performance on similar contracts. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, their values, durations, and the successful completion of deliverables. Key indicators include on-time delivery, adherence to budget (especially for fixed-price contracts), and positive performance reviews from government agencies. For R&D contracts, the innovation and impact of their previous work are also crucial. Without specific data on Nautilus Defense LLC's prior performance, it's difficult to definitively assess their capability, but the award of this contract suggests they met the minimum requirements and were deemed capable by the Army.

How does the value of this contract compare to other R&D contracts in the physical, engineering, and life sciences sectors awarded by the Department of Defense?

The $3.68 million contract value for Nautilus Defense LLC is relatively modest when compared to the vast spectrum of R&D spending within the Department of Defense. DoD R&D budgets can encompass projects ranging from millions to billions of dollars, funding everything from basic scientific research to advanced weapons system development. Contracts for fundamental research or specialized engineering studies, like this one likely is under NAICS 541715, often fall into the multi-million dollar range. Larger, more complex programs involving system integration or large-scale testing would naturally command significantly higher values. Therefore, this contract represents a focused investment in a specific R&D area rather than a major program initiative.

What are the primary risks associated with a multi-year R&D contract of this nature?

The primary risks associated with a multi-year R&D contract like this include technical uncertainty, potential for cost overruns (though mitigated by fixed-price), schedule delays, and the possibility that the research may not yield the desired outcomes. For R&D, the inherent uncertainty of discovery means that breakthroughs are not guaranteed, and projects can encounter unforeseen scientific or engineering challenges. A long duration also increases the risk of technological obsolescence if the field advances rapidly. Furthermore, contractor performance can be affected by personnel turnover or shifts in strategic priorities. Effective risk mitigation involves robust project management, clear milestones, regular progress reviews, and contingency planning.

What is the expected impact of this contract on technological advancement within the specified R&D fields?

This contract is expected to contribute to technological advancement by funding specific research and development activities within the physical, engineering, and life sciences. The precise impact depends on the nature of the research undertaken by Nautilus Defense LLC. Successful R&D can lead to new discoveries, improved processes, innovative materials, or advanced technologies that could have applications in defense, commercial sectors, or scientific understanding. The long duration suggests a commitment to exploring a particular area in depth, potentially leading to significant, albeit not guaranteed, breakthroughs. The outcomes could enhance national security, improve existing systems, or open up new technological frontiers.

How has federal spending in the R&D sector (NAICS 541715) trended over the past five years, and how does this contract fit into that trend?

Federal spending in the R&D sector, particularly under NAICS code 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), has generally seen consistent investment, often driven by national security priorities and scientific advancement goals. While specific year-over-year trends can fluctuate based on budget appropriations and strategic shifts, the overall demand for R&D services remains robust. This $3.68 million contract represents a single, albeit significant, investment within this broader spending landscape. It fits into the trend by contributing to the ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of scientific and technological knowledge, supporting the government's need for innovation in critical fields.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 999 MAIN ST UNIT 7060, PAWTUCKET, RI, 02860

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,725,168

Exercised Options: $3,676,832

Current Obligation: $3,676,832

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline