DOT awards $95K task order for commercial space launch forecasting to GRA Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $95,130 ($95.1K)

Contractor: GRA Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-08-26

End Date: 2026-01-31

Contract Duration: 158 days

Daily Burn Rate: $602/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER 11-COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH FORECAST (2026)

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $95,130.04 to GRA INC for work described as: TASK ORDER 11-COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH FORECAST (2026) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. Task order duration is 158 days, ending January 31, 2026. 3. Awarded under a broader contract vehicle, indicating potential for follow-on work. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 5. The small value suggests a focused, specific analytical need rather than a large program. 6. Geographic location of performance is Virginia.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The task order value of $95,130 is relatively small, making direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. As a Time and Materials contract, the final cost is dependent on the hours worked and labor rates. Without specific labor rates or hours, a detailed value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the limited duration and scope suggest a targeted analysis, and the price appears reasonable for specialized consulting services in this niche.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method is generally preferred for ensuring fair pricing and access to the best available services. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature implies that GRA Inc. was selected based on a combination of technical merit and price.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces and ensures the government receives competitive pricing.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits from enhanced forecasting capabilities for commercial space launch activities. Services delivered include administrative and management consulting. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the contractor is located. The contract supports the government's understanding and regulation of the growing commercial space sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Limited duration may indicate a need for ongoing, potentially more expensive, follow-on contracts.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the consulting services.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive selection process.
The contract supports a critical and growing sector (commercial space launch).
The contractor, GRA Inc., is likely experienced in providing administrative and management consulting.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on management consulting. The commercial space launch industry is a rapidly expanding area, requiring specialized forecasting and analysis to support regulatory and planning efforts. Benchmarking spending in this niche is difficult due to its specialized nature, but the overall federal spending on professional services is substantial.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements. As a task order under a larger vehicle, small business participation would depend on the terms of the base contract and the prime contractor's subcontracting plan. Without further details, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would typically fall under the Federal Aviation Administration's contracting officers and program managers. As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous monitoring of labor hours and rates is crucial. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance reports are often internal.

Related Government Programs

Commercial Space Transportation Regulations
FAA Launch and Reentry Licensing
Aerospace Industry Support Services
Federal Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Contract Type
Limited Duration Task Order
Potential for Scope Creep

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $95,130.04 to GRA INC. TASK ORDER 11-COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH FORECAST (2026)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GRA INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $95,130.04.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-26. End: 2026-01-31.

What is GRA Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Transportation or FAA?

GRA Inc. has a history of receiving federal contracts, though specific details on their performance and value with the Department of Transportation (DOT) or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) require deeper database analysis. Generally, contractors with multiple awards demonstrate a capacity to navigate federal procurement processes. However, past performance is a key factor in source selection, and agencies often review a contractor's history for successful delivery, adherence to schedule and budget, and overall client satisfaction. For this specific task order, GRA Inc.'s selection implies they met the FAA's criteria for relevant experience and capability in administrative and management consulting services, likely including prior work related to transportation or regulatory analysis.

How does the $95,130 value of this task order compare to similar commercial space launch forecasting contracts?

Direct comparisons for task orders of this specific value ($95,130) focused solely on commercial space launch forecasting are challenging due to the niche nature of the service and the variability in contract scope and duration. Smaller task orders like this often represent specific analytical needs, feasibility studies, or initial research phases. Larger contracts in this domain might encompass comprehensive market analysis, long-term strategic planning, or extensive data modeling. The value suggests a focused effort, possibly a component of a larger FAA initiative. Without access to a broader dataset of comparable task orders, it's difficult to definitively benchmark this award against market rates for similar specialized consulting.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for forecasting services?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for forecasting services is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. If the scope of work is not clearly defined, or if unforeseen complexities arise, the contractor may incur more hours or require more resources than initially anticipated, leading to a higher final cost. For forecasting, this could mean extended research periods, more complex data analysis, or additional consultations. Effective oversight, including close monitoring of labor hours, validation of rates, and clear definition of deliverables, is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

What does the 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' NAICS code (541611) imply about the nature of this contract?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611, 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services,' indicates that the core service provided under this contract involves offering expert advice and assistance to government agencies on organization, planning, management, and control. For this task order concerning commercial space launch forecasting, it suggests that GRA Inc. will be applying management principles and analytical techniques to help the FAA understand and predict trends, challenges, and opportunities within the commercial space launch sector. This could involve analyzing market dynamics, regulatory impacts, technological advancements, and operational efficiencies to support strategic decision-making and policy development.

How does the limited duration (158 days) impact the potential effectiveness of the forecasting services?

A limited duration of 158 days for a forecasting contract suggests that the scope of work is likely focused on a specific, short-term objective rather than comprehensive, long-range strategic planning. This timeframe may be sufficient for analyzing current trends, projecting near-term outlooks, or evaluating specific policy impacts. However, effective forecasting, especially in a dynamic sector like commercial space launch, often benefits from longer-term data collection, trend analysis, and iterative refinement. The short duration might necessitate a highly focused approach, potentially relying on existing data and models, and may require follow-on efforts for more in-depth or extended forecasting needs. The FAA's objective will dictate whether this duration is adequate.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2000 DUKE ST FL 3, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $96,884

Exercised Options: $95,130

Current Obligation: $95,130

Actual Outlays: $95,130

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693KA924D00003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline