NOAA Awards $3.3M for Space Systems R&D to Aerospace Corp, Sole-Source
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,292,855 ($3.3M)
Contractor: THE Aerospace Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2022-09-23
End Date: 2027-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,650 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SPACE SYSTEMS RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT / ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR DAAS.
Place of Performance
Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $3.3 million to THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION for work described as: SPACE SYSTEMS RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT / ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR DAAS. Key points: 1. Significant investment in specialized space systems R&D. 2. Sole-source award to a single contractor raises competition concerns. 3. Long-term contract (5.5 years) suggests critical, ongoing need. 4. Focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $3.3M over 5.5 years appears moderate for specialized R&D. Benchmarking is difficult without more detail on the specific services and comparable contracts, especially given the sole-source nature.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed to a single contractor without competitive pressure, potentially reducing overall value for money.
Public Impact
Advancement of critical space systems research and development. Potential for innovation in Earth observation and climate monitoring. Ensures continuity of specialized engineering support for NOAA's mission.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Sole-source award
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D
- Long-term engagement
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under scientific research and development, specifically in physical and engineering sciences. The value is moderate for this sector, but the lack of competition is a notable factor.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to The Aerospace Corporation, a large entity, and there is no indication of small business participation. This award does not appear to benefit small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure the contractor meets performance objectives and that costs remain reasonable, especially given the sole-source nature of the award.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Potential for inflated costs due to lack of bidding.
- Limited transparency on specific R&D deliverables.
- No small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-commerce, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $3.3 million to THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION. SPACE SYSTEMS RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT / ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR DAAS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-23. End: 2027-03-31.
What specific R&D activities are encompassed by this contract, and how do they align with NOAA's strategic goals?
The contract focuses on 'Engineering Support for DAAS' within space systems research and development. While the specific 'DAAS' acronym isn't defined, it likely relates to data acquisition, analysis, or archival systems crucial for NOAA's Earth observation and climate science missions. The long duration suggests alignment with ongoing strategic objectives in these areas.
What justification was provided for the sole-source award, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?
The justification for this sole-source award is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified by factors like unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. A thorough review would examine the specific rationale and whether any market research was conducted to identify potential competitors.
How will NOAA ensure cost-effectiveness and performance monitoring given the absence of a competitive bidding process?
NOAA must implement robust contract management and oversight. This includes detailed performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and strict adherence to the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure. Independent cost analysis and benchmarking, where possible, will be essential to validate expenditures and ensure value for taxpayer money.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2310 E EL SEGUNDO BLVD, EL SEGUNDO, CA, 90245
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,449,994
Exercised Options: $3,292,855
Current Obligation: $3,292,855
Actual Outlays: $1,483,275
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1332KP22DNEEG0002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-23
Current End Date: 2027-03-31
Potential End Date: 2027-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-11
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