DoD's $22M R&D Contract with Penn State University for Physical Sciences Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,986,793 ($22.0M)
Contractor: THE Pennsylvania State University
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2004-07-15
End Date: 2009-05-29
Contract Duration: 1,779 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: 200412!001218!2100!W91CRB!USA MATERIEL COMMAND ACQUISITION!W91CRB04C0046 !A!N! !Y! ! !20040715!20070531!003403953!003403953!003403953!N!PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY !110 TECHNOLOGY CENTER !UNIVERSITY PAR !PA!16802!40040!005!42!KITTANNING !ARMSTRONG !PENN !+000004715000!N!N!000013775000!AJ12!RDTE/PHYSICAL SCIENCES - APPLIED RESEARCH !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !A!U!U!1!001!B! !Z!Y!Z! ! !N!V!N! ! ! ! ! !A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! !Y! ! !0001! !
Place of Performance
Location: STATE COLLEGE, CENTRE County, PENNSYLVANIA, 16804
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $22.0 million to THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY for work described as: 200412!001218!2100!W91CRB!USA MATERIEL COMMAND ACQUISITION!W91CRB04C0046 !A!N! !Y! ! !20040715!20070531!003403953!003403953!003403953!N!PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY !110 TECHNOLOGY CENTER !UNIVERSITY PAR !PA!16802!40040!005!42!KITTANNING !ARMS… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Research and Development in Physical Sciences. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk appears moderate given the R&D nature and fixed-fee structure. 4. Sector is R&D, a critical area for defense innovation.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $21.99 million appears reasonable for a multi-year R&D effort in specialized physical sciences. Benchmarking against similar large-scale research contracts would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for critical research and development.
Public Impact
Supports advanced research in physical sciences, potentially leading to technological advancements. Funds a major research institution, contributing to the academic and scientific community. Contract duration of nearly 5 years suggests a significant, long-term research objective.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- R&D projects can have uncertain outcomes and cost overruns.
- Reliance on a single institution for specialized research.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition promotes fair pricing.
- Focus on critical R&D for national security.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically applied research in physical sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority but can be subject to inherent uncertainties.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to The Pennsylvania State University, a large research institution. There is no explicit indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Standard DoD oversight mechanisms would apply to this contract. Ensuring clear deliverables and performance metrics is key for accountability in R&D.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
- Uncertainty of research outcomes and return on investment.
- Dependence on the expertise of a single large institution.
- Long contract duration may require adjustments for evolving research needs.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, pa, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $22.0 million to THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY. 200412!001218!2100!W91CRB!USA MATERIEL COMMAND ACQUISITION!W91CRB04C0046 !A!N! !Y! ! !20040715!20070531!003403953!003403953!003403953!N!PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY !110 TECHNOLOGY CENTER !UNIVERSITY PAR !PA!16802!40040!005!42!KITTANNING !ARMSTRONG !PENN !+000004715000!N!N!000013775000!AJ12!RDTE/PHYSICAL SCIENCES - APPLIED RESEARCH !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !999
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $22.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-07-15. End: 2009-05-29.
What specific technological advancements or research outcomes were expected from this contract?
The contract focused on 'RDTE/PHYSICAL SCIENCES - APPLIED RESEARCH'. While specific outcomes are not detailed, such contracts typically aim to advance fundamental understanding, develop new materials, or explore novel scientific principles with potential defense applications. The exact deliverables would be outlined in the contract's statement of work.
What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to assess the success of this R&D contract?
For R&D contracts, KPIs often include achieving specific research milestones, successful demonstration of prototypes or concepts, adherence to research timelines, and the quality of scientific publications or reports. The 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' structure incentivizes the contractor to manage costs while achieving defined research objectives.
How did the 'full and open competition' process ensure the best value for taxpayer dollars in this specialized R&D area?
Full and open competition allowed multiple qualified entities to propose solutions, fostering a competitive environment that drives innovation and potentially lowers costs. For specialized R&D, it ensures that the most capable researchers and institutions are identified, maximizing the chances of successful and cost-effective scientific advancement.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 110 TECHNOLOGY CENTER, UNIVERSITY PAR, PA, 16802
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-07-15
Current End Date: 2009-05-29
Potential End Date: 2009-05-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-08-16
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