NASA awards $41.5M task order to Inuteq, LLC for IT facilities management services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $41,462,458 ($41.5M)
Contractor: Inuteq, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-07-01
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $113.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: IDIQ PROCUREMENT SERVICES TASK ORDER UNDER NASA ADVANCED COMPUTING SERVICES (NACS) CONTRACT.
Place of Performance
Location: MOUNTAIN VIEW, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $41.5 million to INUTEQ, LLC for work described as: IDIQ PROCUREMENT SERVICES TASK ORDER UNDER NASA ADVANCED COMPUTING SERVICES (NACS) CONTRACT. Key points: 1. Task order awarded under a broader IDIQ contract, suggesting potential for future work. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can incentivize performance but requires careful oversight. 3. Competition was full and open, indicating a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is one year, suggesting a need for ongoing services. 5. The services fall under Computer Facilities Management, a critical IT support function. 6. The awardee, Inuteq, LLC, is a relatively new entity in federal contracting based on available data.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this specific task order is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee structure implies that the final cost will be influenced by performance metrics. Comparing this to similar IT facilities management contracts across NASA or other agencies would require access to detailed pricing data for comparable services and labor categories. The total award amount of $41.5 million for a one-year duration appears within a reasonable range for complex IT support, but the 'plus award fee' component introduces variability.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This task order was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all eligible responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders for this task order is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive environment. This approach is generally expected to yield fair market prices and encourage innovation from multiple vendors.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition provides taxpayers with assurance that the government sought the best value from a wide range of potential providers, likely leading to more competitive pricing and efficient use of funds.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which will receive essential IT facilities management support. Services delivered include the management and operation of computer facilities, crucial for NASA's scientific research and space exploration missions. The geographic impact is centered in California, where the services will likely be performed. Workforce implications may include the creation or sustainment of IT support jobs, both within the contractor and potentially through subcontracting opportunities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee contracts require diligent oversight to ensure award fees are justified and do not inflate costs beyond reasonable performance.
- Limited public data on Inuteq, LLC's track record may present a risk if performance issues arise.
- The one-year duration could indicate a short-term need or a pilot program, requiring careful planning for follow-on support if necessary.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under a NASA IDIQ contract, suggesting Inuteq, LLC has already met initial qualification standards.
- Full and open competition indicates a competitive process that should drive value.
- The contract is for essential IT facilities management, a core requirement for agency operations.
Sector Analysis
The IT services sector within federal contracting is vast and highly competitive. This contract falls under Computer Facilities Management Services, a sub-segment focused on the operational aspects of IT infrastructure. NASA, as a technology-intensive agency, consistently invests in IT support to manage its complex data, research, and operational systems. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT facilities management can vary significantly based on the scope, scale, and specific technologies involved, but agencies like NASA typically award multi-million dollar contracts for such critical functions.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside designation (ss: false, sb: false). While the primary award is to Inuteq, LLC, the potential for subcontracting opportunities with small businesses exists, particularly if Inuteq, LLC utilizes a diverse supply chain. However, without specific subcontracting plans or goals outlined in the award details, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is uncertain. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are being leveraged for specialized IT support services.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this Cost Plus Award Fee contract will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The agency will be responsible for monitoring Inuteq, LLC's performance against established metrics to determine the appropriate award fee. Transparency regarding the performance evaluation process and the justification for awarded fees will be crucial for accountability. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction is not detailed here, NASA's Office of Inspector General typically oversees agency contracts for waste, fraud, and abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Advanced Computing Services (NACS) Contract
- IT Facilities Management Services
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Cloud Computing Services
- Data Center Operations
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) oversight required
- Limited contractor performance history publicly available
- Potential for cost overruns if award fee criteria are not managed strictly
Tags
nasa, it-services, facilities-management, california, cost-plus-award-fee, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, information-technology, computer-facilities-management, inuteq-llc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $41.5 million to INUTEQ, LLC. IDIQ PROCUREMENT SERVICES TASK ORDER UNDER NASA ADVANCED COMPUTING SERVICES (NACS) CONTRACT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INUTEQ, LLC.
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 $41.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-07-01. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the track record of Inuteq, LLC in performing federal IT contracts?
Based on the provided data, Inuteq, LLC is the awardee of this task order. However, detailed historical performance data, past contract values, and client feedback for Inuteq, LLC are not readily available in this summary. As a Cost Plus Award Fee contract, NASA's evaluation of Inuteq's performance will be critical. Future analysis could involve reviewing contract performance reports (CPARS) if available, or examining other awards made to Inuteq, LLC to build a more comprehensive picture of their capabilities and reliability in delivering IT services to the federal government. The limited public information suggests a need for closer monitoring of this contractor's performance on this specific task order.
How does the estimated value of this task order compare to similar IT facilities management contracts?
The estimated value of $41.5 million for a one-year IT facilities management task order is substantial. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against similar contracts awarded by NASA or other federal agencies for comparable services, considering factors like the number of users supported, the complexity of the IT environment, and the specific services included (e.g., data center operations, network management, cybersecurity support). Without access to a detailed breakdown of Inuteq, LLC's proposed costs and the specific scope of work, a precise comparison is difficult. However, for a large agency like NASA, such an investment in critical IT infrastructure support is not unusual, but the 'award fee' component means the final expenditure could be higher than the base cost.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract structure for IT services?
The primary risks with a CPAF structure for IT services revolve around cost control and performance measurement. While CPAF aims to incentivize high performance by offering award fees beyond cost reimbursement, it can lead to higher overall costs if the award fee criteria are not rigorously defined and monitored. There's a risk that contractors may focus on achieving award fee targets rather than optimizing cost-efficiency. For NASA, this means ensuring that the performance metrics are clearly articulated, measurable, and directly tied to mission objectives. Diligent oversight is required to prevent potential 'gaming' of the system and to ensure that award fees are genuinely earned through exceptional service delivery, rather than being an automatic add-on to costs.
What is the strategic importance of IT facilities management for NASA's mission?
IT facilities management is fundamentally critical to NASA's mission, which relies heavily on robust, secure, and high-performing computing infrastructure. This includes managing data centers that house vast amounts of scientific data, supporting complex simulations for space missions, and ensuring the operational integrity of communication networks. Effective IT facilities management ensures the availability, reliability, and security of these systems, directly impacting NASA's ability to conduct research, plan missions, and achieve its scientific and exploratory goals. Any disruption or underperformance in IT facilities management could have significant consequences for ongoing projects and the agency's overall operational effectiveness.
How has NASA's spending on IT facilities management evolved over recent years?
Analyzing NASA's historical spending on IT facilities management would require access to detailed budget data and contract databases over several fiscal years. Generally, federal spending on IT, including facilities management, has seen consistent investment due to the increasing reliance on digital infrastructure and advanced computing. Trends likely include a shift towards cloud services, enhanced cybersecurity measures, and the need for specialized support for high-performance computing. Understanding NASA's specific spending trajectory in this area would involve examining trends in their IT budgets, the number and value of IT facilities management contracts awarded, and any strategic shifts in how these services are procured (e.g., from in-house to outsourced, or shifts in contract types).
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Facilities Management Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - COMPUTE
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
Address: 7000 MUIRKIRK MEADOWS DR STE 100, BELTSVILLE, MD, 20705
Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $59,963,675
Exercised Options: $59,963,675
Current Obligation: $41,462,458
Actual Outlays: $6,554,055
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $637,267
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80ARC018D0010
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-07-01
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-31
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