DoD's $21.3M R&D Contract with UMass Lowell: Examining Value and Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,326,529 ($21.3M)

Contractor: University of Massachusetts Lowell

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2011-09-16

End Date: 2016-09-15

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TASK NUMBER 4.2.3.6

Place of Performance

Location: LOWELL, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01854, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $21.3 million to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL for work described as: TASK NUMBER 4.2.3.6 Key points: 1. The contract awarded to the University of Massachusetts Lowell for R&D in Social Sciences and Humanities represents a significant investment. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a robust process for selecting the contractor. 3. The contract duration of 1826 days indicates a long-term research objective. 4. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type implies the government will reimburse allowable costs without an additional fee, focusing on research execution.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The 'COST NO FEE' structure is common for research grants and contracts where the primary goal is knowledge generation rather than profit. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables and comparable research projects.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The use of 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' indicates that multiple sources were solicited, allowing for a competitive bidding process. This method generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for research that meets the Department of the Army's needs.

Public Impact

Research in social sciences and humanities can inform policy and strategic planning within the Department of Defense. The long-term nature of the contract suggests a sustained effort to address complex issues. The university setting implies potential for academic rigor and innovation in the research outcomes. The absence of a fee might indicate a focus on direct research costs and academic contribution over commercialization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of fee in a cost-reimbursement contract can sometimes lead to less incentive for cost control if not properly monitored.
The specific research outcomes and their direct applicability to DoD needs require ongoing assessment.
Benchmarking the value of social science research is inherently challenging.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition is a positive indicator of a fair and transparent procurement process.
Awarding to a university suggests a focus on specialized expertise and potentially lower overhead compared to some commercial entities.
The 'COST NO FEE' structure prioritizes research execution over profit margins.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Spending in this sector by the DoD is often aimed at understanding human behavior, societal trends, and geopolitical factors to inform military strategy and operations. Benchmarks are highly variable based on the specific research scope.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to a university, and there is no indication of small business participation. Universities typically do not engage small businesses as subcontractors unless specific expertise is required that they cannot provide internally.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would focus on the progress of the research, adherence to the research plan, and proper accounting of costs. The 'COST NO FEE' structure requires diligent monitoring to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable to the research objectives.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in long-term research projects.
Difficulty in quantifying the direct return on investment for social science research.
Reliance on university research priorities potentially diverging from immediate DoD operational needs.
Need for robust oversight to ensure research remains focused and costs are controlled without a profit incentive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $21.3 million to UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL. TASK NUMBER 4.2.3.6

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-09-16. End: 2016-09-15.

What specific research questions or objectives are being addressed by this contract, and how do they align with current Department of the Army strategic priorities?

The contract focuses on 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities.' While the specific objectives are not detailed here, such research typically aims to provide insights into societal dynamics, cultural understanding, human behavior in conflict zones, or the impact of social factors on military operations. Alignment with Army priorities would depend on the specific research topics chosen, which could range from understanding adversary motivations to improving troop morale or analyzing the effectiveness of information operations.

Given the 'COST NO FEE' structure, what mechanisms are in place to ensure cost efficiency and prevent potential overruns or unnecessary expenditures?

The 'COST NO FEE' structure means the government reimburses allowable costs without an additional profit margin. Cost efficiency is typically managed through rigorous contract oversight, regular financial reporting, audits, and adherence to pre-defined budgets for different research phases. The contracting officer and technical monitors play a crucial role in reviewing expenditures to ensure they are reasonable, allocable, and necessary for the research's successful completion.

How will the outcomes of this social science and humanities research be evaluated for their practical impact and effectiveness in informing DoD decision-making?

Evaluating the impact of social science research can be challenging. Effectiveness is often measured by the quality of the research findings, their contribution to knowledge, and their utility in informing policy or strategy. This could involve peer reviews, dissemination of findings through reports or publications, and direct engagement with DoD decision-makers to assess how the research insights are being applied to address specific challenges or inform strategic planning.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W911W511R0019

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: University of Massachusetts (UEI: 079520631)

Address: 600 SUFFOLK ST FL 2 S, LOWELL, MA, 01854

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,643,516

Exercised Options: $21,326,529

Current Obligation: $21,326,529

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline