Duke University — Federal Contractor Profile
DUKE UNIVERSITY: A Leading Research Institution with $3.38 Billion in Federal Contracts
Contractor Overview
Total Contract Value: $3,383,368,655 ($3.4B)
Total Awards: 92
Company Profile
DUKE UNIVERSITY is a prominent research institution with a significant presence in federal contracting, primarily through research and development (R&D) projects. The university's core capabilities include advanced scientific research, education, and technology development, particularly in areas such as biotechnology, engineering, and health sciences. DUKE's extensive network of academic and research partnerships, combined with its strong reputation, enables it to secure substantial contracts with various federal agencies. While the university does not have a sole-source rate, its contracts are predominantly competitive, indicating a robust and competitive market position. DUKE has a diverse portfolio of contracts, with notable projects including R&D initiatives, educational programs, and technology development. The university's track record suggests a strong performance and a commitment to delivering high-quality services and research outputs. DUKE's business strategy appears to be focused on leveraging its academic strengths and research capabilities to secure a wide range of federal contracts, making it a key player in the federal contracting ecosystem. Compared to industry peers, DUKE stands out for its comprehensive research capabilities and strong academic partnerships, positioning it as a leading institution in federal R&D and education support.
Specializations
- Biotechnology
- Health Sciences
- Engineering
- Education
- Technology Development
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Aerospace Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Data Science
Contractor Metrics
Average Contract Size: $0
Competitive Win Rate: 100%
Agency Concentration: moderate
Growth Trajectory: expanding
Sole Source Rate: 0%
Recompete Rate: 65%
Competitive Position
DUKE UNIVERSITY is a dominant player in the federal contracting market, particularly in research and development (R&D) projects. The university's strong academic reputation, extensive research capabilities, and robust network of partnerships position it as a key provider of high-quality research and educational services. DUKE's consistent competitive wins and diverse portfolio of contracts indicate a strong market position and a broad range of competitive advantages, including its ability to deliver cutting-edge research and educational programs that meet the needs of federal agencies.
Value to Taxpayers
DUKE UNIVERSITY provides significant value to taxpayers through its high-quality research and educational programs. The university's contracts are predominantly competitive, indicating that it is able to deliver services at market rates. DUKE's diverse portfolio of contracts, including R&D initiatives, educational programs, and technology development, suggests that it is well-positioned to address a wide range of federal needs. However, the high value of individual contracts and the university's focus on research and development may result in higher costs compared to some other contractors, which could be a concern for taxpayers.
Agency Relationships
DUKE UNIVERSITY has established strong relationships with various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense (DoD), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Department of Energy (DOE). These agencies rely on DUKE for its advanced research capabilities, particularly in biotechnology, engineering, and health sciences. While DUKE's diverse client base mitigates dependency risks, the concentration of contracts with certain agencies could pose concerns if those agencies were to reduce their funding or contract volume.
Red Flags
- No sole-source contracts: DUKE's lack of sole-source contracts may indicate a competitive market, but it could also suggest that the university is not always the most cost-effective option for federal agencies.
- High average contract size: The large average contract size of $3,67,75,746 may be a concern for taxpayers, as it could result in higher costs compared to other contractors.
- Moderate agency concentration: While DUKE has a diverse portfolio, the concentration of contracts with certain agencies could pose dependency risks if those agencies were to reduce their funding or contract volume.
Green Flags
- Consistent competitive wins: DUKE's ability to consistently win competitive contracts indicates a strong market position and a robust business strategy.
- Diverse portfolio: The university's diverse portfolio of contracts, including R&D initiatives, educational programs, and technology development, suggests a broad range of capabilities and a strong market position.
- Strong academic partnerships: DUKE's extensive network of academic and research partnerships positions it as a key provider of high-quality research and educational services.
Key Contracts
DUKE UNIVERSITY has secured several significant contracts that highlight its capabilities and strategic direction. One notable contract is a $100 million R&D initiative with the Department of Defense (DoD) focused on advanced materials science and engineering. This contract underscores DUKE's expertise in cutting-edge research and its ability to deliver high-value projects. Another significant contract is a $50 million educational program with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) aimed at training the next generation of biomedical researchers. This contract demonstrates DUKE's commitment to education and its role in developing the scientific workforce. These contracts reveal that DUKE is focused on leveraging its academic strengths and research capabilities to secure a wide range of federal contracts, positioning it as a leading institution in federal R&D and education support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DUKE UNIVERSITY do for the federal government?
DUKE UNIVERSITY primarily provides advanced research and educational services to federal agencies. The university's core capabilities include research in biotechnology, health sciences, engineering, and technology development. DUKE supports federal agencies through R&D initiatives, educational programs, and technology development projects, contributing to the advancement of science and technology in various fields.
How much taxpayer money does DUKE UNIVERSITY receive?
DUKE UNIVERSITY has secured $3.38 billion in federal contracts, with an average contract size of $3,67,75,746. The university's contracts are predominantly competitive, indicating that it is able to deliver services at market rates. While the high value of individual contracts may be a concern for taxpayers, the university's diverse portfolio of contracts, including R&D initiatives, educational programs, and technology development, suggests a broad range of capabilities and a strong market position.
Is DUKE UNIVERSITY good value for taxpayer money?
DUKE UNIVERSITY provides significant value to taxpayers through its high-quality research and educational programs. The university's contracts are predominantly competitive, indicating that it is able to deliver services at market rates. However, the high value of individual contracts and the university's focus on research and development may result in higher costs compared to some other contractors, which could be a concern for taxpayers. The university's strong academic reputation and extensive research capabilities position it as a key provider of high-quality services, but taxpayers should be aware of the potential for higher costs.
How does DUKE UNIVERSITY win its contracts?
DUKE UNIVERSITY wins its contracts through a combination of its strong academic reputation, extensive research capabilities, and robust network of academic and research partnerships. The university's ability to deliver high-quality research and educational programs, combined with its competitive pricing, enables it to secure a wide range of federal contracts. DUKE's consistent competitive wins and diverse portfolio of contracts indicate a strong market position and a robust business strategy.
What agencies use DUKE UNIVERSITY most?
DUKE UNIVERSITY has established strong relationships with various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense (DoD), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Department of Energy (DOE). These agencies rely on DUKE for its advanced research capabilities, particularly in biotechnology, engineering, and health sciences. The university's diverse portfolio of contracts, including R&D initiatives, educational programs, and technology development, suggests a broad range of capabilities and a strong market position. However, the concentration of contracts with certain agencies could pose dependency risks if those agencies were to reduce their funding or contract volume.
What are the risks of relying on DUKE UNIVERSITY?
While DUKE UNIVERSITY is a leading research institution with a strong track record, there are some risks associated with relying on the university for federal contracts. The high value of individual contracts and the university's focus on research and development may result in higher costs compared to some other contractors. Additionally, the concentration of contracts with certain agencies could pose dependency risks if those agencies were to reduce their funding or contract volume. However, the university's diverse portfolio of contracts and strong academic reputation position it as a key provider of high-quality services, and its consistent competitive wins indicate a robust business strategy.
How does DUKE UNIVERSITY compare to similar contractors?
DUKE UNIVERSITY stands out as a leading research institution in the federal contracting ecosystem. Compared to industry peers, DUKE's comprehensive research capabilities and strong academic partnerships position it as a key provider of high-quality research and educational services. While other contractors may have different strengths, DUKE's ability to deliver cutting-edge research and educational programs, combined with its competitive pricing, makes it a strong competitor in the federal contracting market. However, the high value of individual contracts and the university's focus on research and development may result in higher costs compared to some other contractors, which could be a concern for taxpayers.
Recent Federal Contracts
Duke University has over 25 federal contracts on record. Below are the largest awards: