NASA awards Amentum Technology $20.7M for aerospace testing and facilities operations in California
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,689,888 ($20.7M)
Contractor: Amentum Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-09-28
End Date: 2027-10-01
Contract Duration: 1,829 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: AEROSPACE TESTING AND FACILITIES OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (ATOM-5) - CTO 40A
Place of Performance
Location: MOFFETT FIELD, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $20.7 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: AEROSPACE TESTING AND FACILITIES OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (ATOM-5) - CTO 40A Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in critical aerospace infrastructure. 2. Operations and maintenance services are essential for the continuity of NASA's research and development. 3. The contract's duration suggests a long-term need for these specialized facilities. 4. Geographic concentration in California highlights the state's importance in the aerospace sector. 5. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure requires careful monitoring to ensure cost control.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's value of approximately $20.7 million over five years for facilities support services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of aerospace testing and operations. Benchmarking against similar large-scale facilities management contracts for government agencies suggests that this pricing is within an expected range. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) pricing structure, while common for complex services, necessitates diligent oversight to manage costs effectively and ensure value for money.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature of the award process generally leads to better price discovery and selection of the most capable offeror. This approach is designed to ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that NASA receives the best possible services at a competitive price, maximizing the value of taxpayer investment.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's mission by ensuring the operational readiness of critical aerospace testing and research facilities. Benefits the aerospace industry by providing essential infrastructure for innovation and development. Primarily impacts the workforce in California involved in specialized facilities operations and maintenance. Enables continued scientific research and technological advancement within the United States.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The CPFF structure can incentivize cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical infrastructure operations poses a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- Long-term contract duration indicates a stable and predictable operational environment.
- Contractor's experience in similar facilities operations is likely a positive factor.
Sector Analysis
The aerospace sector is characterized by high-value, complex contracts often involving specialized facilities and advanced technology. This contract for facilities operations and maintenance fits within the broader category of government support services, which are crucial for enabling the core missions of agencies like NASA. Spending in this area is often driven by the need to maintain aging infrastructure and support ongoing research and development programs, with significant investment typically concentrated in regions with a strong aerospace presence.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears limited unless Amentum Technology proactively engages small businesses in its subcontracting plan. Further investigation into subcontracting goals would be necessary to fully assess the impact.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers, who are responsible for monitoring performance, costs, and compliance. The CPFF structure necessitates rigorous financial oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting mechanisms, and any significant issues could fall under the purview of NASA's Office of Inspector General.
Related Government Programs
- Aerospace Research and Development Support
- Government Facilities Operations and Maintenance
- NASA Research Support Contracts
- Test and Evaluation Facilities
Risk Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee structure requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
- Long-term reliance on a single contractor for critical infrastructure.
- Potential for cost escalation if unforeseen issues arise in facility operations.
Tags
nasa, aerospace, facilities-operations, maintenance, california, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, support-services, long-term-contract, technology-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $20.7 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC.. AEROSPACE TESTING AND FACILITIES OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (ATOM-5) - CTO 40A
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-28. End: 2027-10-01.
What is Amentum Technology's track record with similar NASA contracts?
Amentum Technology, Inc. has a history of performing complex operations and maintenance services for government agencies, including NASA. While specific details on past NASA contracts are not provided in this data snippet, the company's general profile suggests experience in managing large-scale facilities and technical support. A deeper dive into their contract performance history with NASA, including any past performance evaluations or awards, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their suitability and reliability for this ATOM-5 contract. Reviewing their performance on similar contracts, particularly those involving aerospace testing facilities, would be crucial for assessing their capabilities and identifying any potential risks.
How does the awarded amount compare to historical spending on similar NASA facilities operations?
The awarded amount of approximately $20.7 million over five years for the ATOM-5 contract translates to an average annual value of roughly $4.14 million. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against historical spending data for similar aerospace testing and facilities operations and maintenance contracts awarded by NASA or other agencies with comparable facilities. Factors such as the scope of services, facility size and complexity, and geographic location significantly influence contract values. Without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts, it is difficult to definitively state whether this amount is high or low. However, given the specialized nature of aerospace facilities, this annual figure appears to be within a plausible range for comprehensive support services.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for facilities operations?
The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, such as this ATOM-5 award, is the potential for cost overruns. While the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs, the fixed fee provides a profit incentive. If costs escalate due to unforeseen circumstances, inefficiencies, or scope creep, the government bears the increased cost burden. For facilities operations, risks include unexpected maintenance needs, equipment failures, or changes in regulatory requirements that increase operational expenses. Effective oversight, detailed cost tracking, and robust change management processes are critical to mitigating these risks and ensuring the government receives value for its investment. The contractor must demonstrate diligent cost management to prevent the fee from becoming disproportionately large relative to the actual costs incurred.
How effective is full and open competition in ensuring value for money for NASA's facilities support services?
Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in government contracting. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, NASA can leverage a wider pool of potential contractors, fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. This process allows for a thorough evaluation of technical capabilities and pricing, enabling the agency to select the offer that provides the best overall value. While the specific number of bidders for this ATOM-5 contract is not detailed, the commitment to full and open competition suggests that NASA aimed to achieve competitive pricing and secure high-quality services. The success in achieving value for money ultimately depends on the rigor of the evaluation criteria and the effectiveness of the subsequent contract management.
What are the potential workforce implications of this contract award in California?
This contract award to Amentum Technology for aerospace testing and facilities operations in California is likely to have significant workforce implications, primarily by sustaining or creating jobs within the state's aerospace sector. The operations and maintenance of specialized facilities require a skilled workforce, including engineers, technicians, maintenance personnel, and administrative staff. The duration of the contract (over five years) suggests a stable employment outlook for those involved. Depending on the specific skill sets required and the availability of local talent, there could be opportunities for both existing aerospace workers and new entrants to the field. The contract may also indirectly support a broader ecosystem of suppliers and service providers in the region.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services
Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Pae-Parsons Global Logistics Services, LLC
Address: 604 WILLIAM NORTHERN BLVD., TULLAHOMA, TN, 37388
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $44,260,812
Exercised Options: $44,260,812
Current Obligation: $20,689,888
Actual Outlays: $7,437,079
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80ARC022DA011
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-28
Current End Date: 2027-10-01
Potential End Date: 2027-10-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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