DoD's $2.7M R&D Contract for PFAS Destruction Facility Faces Scrutiny Over Competition and Value
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,705,755 ($2.7M)
Contractor: Battelle Memorial Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-04-17
End Date: 2030-04-16
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 28
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ESTCP ER24-8964 NEW START VALIDATION OF A SUPERCRITICAL WATER OXIDATION PROCESSING FACILITY TO DESTROY AQUEOUS FILM FORMING FOAM
Place of Performance
Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43201
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $2.7 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE for work described as: ESTCP ER24-8964 NEW START VALIDATION OF A SUPERCRITICAL WATER OXIDATION PROCESSING FACILITY TO DESTROY AQUEOUS FILM FORMING FOAM Key points: 1. The contract focuses on a critical environmental challenge: destroying PFAS chemicals. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure introduces some risk regarding final project costs. 4. The R&D sector is crucial for developing innovative environmental solutions.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $2.7M for R&D is moderate. Without specific benchmarks for similar PFAS destruction technology development, assessing its value is difficult. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure means the final cost could exceed the initial estimate.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is positive for price discovery. However, the specific details of the bidding process and the number of bidders are not provided, making it hard to fully assess the competitive pressure on pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for R&D into a critical environmental issue. The ultimate benefit to taxpayers will depend on the successful development and deployment of this technology.
Public Impact
Addresses a significant environmental concern (PFAS contamination) with potential public health benefits. The research could lead to more effective and cost-efficient methods for environmental remediation. Successful development could reduce long-term environmental cleanup costs for government and industry.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Long project duration (5 years) increases risk of scope creep or changing requirements.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a high-priority environmental issue.
- Full and open competition was utilized.
- Potential for significant positive environmental impact.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715. Spending in this sector is vital for technological advancement, but R&D projects inherently carry higher risk and uncertainty compared to procurement of established goods or services.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of the Army within the Department of Defense. Oversight will likely involve program managers ensuring adherence to research milestones and budget. The long duration necessitates consistent monitoring.
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
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type.
- Long contract duration.
- R&D projects have inherent uncertainty.
- Potential for unforeseen technical challenges.
- Environmental remediation technologies can be complex to scale.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, oh, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $2.7 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE. ESTCP ER24-8964 NEW START VALIDATION OF A SUPERCRITICAL WATER OXIDATION PROCESSING FACILITY TO DESTROY AQUEOUS FILM FORMING FOAM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-04-17. End: 2030-04-16.
What is the projected cost-effectiveness of this supercritical water oxidation technology compared to existing PFAS destruction methods?
The provided data does not offer details on cost-effectiveness comparisons. The contract is for research and validation, implying that cost-effectiveness is a key outcome to be determined. Future reports or follow-on contracts would likely detail this assessment once the technology is proven.
What are the specific technical risks associated with validating a supercritical water oxidation processing facility for PFAS destruction?
Technical risks likely include achieving complete destruction of various PFAS compounds, managing the high pressures and temperatures required for supercritical water oxidation, ensuring the durability and safety of the facility components, and handling potential byproducts. The research phase aims to identify and mitigate these risks.
How will the success of this R&D project be measured to ensure taxpayer value?
Success will likely be measured by the facility's ability to consistently and effectively destroy target PFAS compounds to specified levels, operational reliability, and the generation of data supporting scalability and potential cost-effectiveness. Milestones within the contract will define specific validation criteria.
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
Solicitation ID: W912HQ24S0030
Offers Received: 28
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 505 KING AVE, COLUMBUS, OH, 43201
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,705,755
Exercised Options: $2,705,755
Current Obligation: $2,705,755
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-04-17
Current End Date: 2030-04-16
Potential End Date: 2030-04-16 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-05
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