DoD Awards $17.45M R&D Contract to R Cubed Engineering LLC for Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences Research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,453,780 ($17.5M)

Contractor: R Cubed Engineering LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-09-28

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,741 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: FINAL REPORT

Place of Performance

Location: PALMETTO, MANATEE County, FLORIDA, 34221

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.5 million to R CUBED ENGINEERING LLC for work described as: FINAL REPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $17.45 million awarded to R Cubed Engineering LLC. 2. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is a broad sector with significant government investment. 3. Potential risks include the long contract duration (2741 days) and the specific nature of R&D, which can have uncertain outcomes. 4. The sector is characterized by innovation and the need for specialized expertise, making competition crucial for value.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $17.45 million for a nearly 7.5-year duration appears reasonable for specialized R&D services. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables, but the firm fixed-price structure suggests a defined scope.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating a competitive process was initiated but potentially narrowed. This method aims for fair pricing but requires careful justification for source exclusion.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is intended to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for research and development.

Public Impact

Supports advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences, potentially leading to new technologies and capabilities. The long-term nature of the contract suggests a sustained investment in a specific research area. Contract performance will be monitored by the Department of the Army to ensure progress and adherence to objectives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 63 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (2741 days) may indicate scope creep or extended development timelines.
R&D projects inherently carry risk of not achieving desired outcomes.
Exclusion of sources in a full and open competition needs clear justification to ensure maximum value.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition, even with exclusions, suggests an attempt at market engagement.
Contract supports critical R&D for the Department of Defense.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715. This sector is vital for technological advancement and national security, often involving significant investment and specialized expertise. Benchmarks vary widely based on the specific research area.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there is no direct benefit to small businesses from this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Army is responsible for overseeing this contract. The firm fixed-price structure and the competitive award process are mechanisms to ensure accountability and value for taxpayer money.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration increases exposure to changing technological landscapes and potential cost overruns.
R&D outcomes are inherently uncertain and may not yield the expected results.
Potential for limited competition if source exclusion is not well-justified.
Lack of small business participation in this specific award.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.5 million to R CUBED ENGINEERING LLC. FINAL REPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is R CUBED ENGINEERING 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 $17.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-09-28. End: 2026-03-31.

What specific research objectives does this contract aim to achieve, and how do they align with DoD priorities?

The contract focuses on 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).' While the specific objectives are not detailed, such research typically supports advancements in areas like materials science, advanced manufacturing, energy solutions, or biomedical engineering relevant to defense applications. Alignment with DoD priorities would be assessed through strategic research plans and capability gap analyses conducted by the Department of the Army.

What is the justification for excluding other sources after initiating full and open competition?

The justification for excluding sources after initiating full and open competition is critical for ensuring fair and competitive pricing. This typically occurs when only a limited number of sources possess the necessary specialized capabilities, proprietary data, or unique qualifications. The agency must document why other potential offerors were excluded to demonstrate that the chosen contractor offers the best value and that competition, though limited, was appropriately managed.

How will the success and effectiveness of the R&D be measured over the contract's 2741-day duration?

The effectiveness of this R&D contract will likely be measured through a series of milestones, deliverables, and performance metrics defined in the contract's Statement of Work. Regular technical reviews, progress reports, and demonstrations of prototypes or research findings will be crucial. The long duration suggests a phased approach, with success criteria potentially evolving as research progresses. The Department of the Army will be responsible for evaluating whether the contractor meets these defined objectives and contributes to the intended advancements.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4103 11TH STREET CT W #203, PALMETTO, FL, 34221

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,453,780

Exercised Options: $17,453,780

Current Obligation: $17,453,780

Actual Outlays: $223,663

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline