NASA awards $2.67M engineering services contract to Agile Decision Sciences, LLC for HEOMD AES
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,673,257 ($2.7M)
Contractor: Agile Decision Sciences, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2021-04-01
End Date: 2025-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,551 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: TO10-SOW10- HEOMD AES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20407
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.7 million to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC for work described as: TO10-SOW10- HEOMD AES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee. 3. Performance period spans over 3 years, from April 2021 to June 2025. 4. The contract is for engineering services, aligning with NAICS code 541330. 5. The awardee, Agile Decision Sciences, LLC, is based in the District of Columbia. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this contract. 7. The contract value is approximately $2.67 million.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar engineering services contracts awarded by NASA or other agencies. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure can sometimes lead to higher costs if not carefully managed, as it reimburses the contractor for allowable costs plus a predetermined profit. However, it can also be appropriate for research and development or complex projects where cost estimation is difficult upfront. Further analysis of the fixed fee percentage and the contractor's historical performance would be needed for a more definitive value assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' While this indicates a competitive process, the 'exclusion of sources' part suggests that certain potential sources may have been excluded for specific reasons, which warrants further investigation. The number of bidders is not provided, making it difficult to assess the intensity of the competition. A robust competition typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of potential contractors to bid, which can drive down prices and improve service quality. However, the specific exclusion of sources needs to be understood to ensure that the most competitive offers were indeed considered.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary of this contract is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), specifically its Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD). The contract delivers essential engineering services to support NASA's ongoing and future missions. The geographic impact is primarily centered around NASA's operations, likely at its facilities. The contract supports specialized engineering roles, potentially impacting the aerospace and engineering workforce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type requires clarification to ensure no viable, competitive sources were unfairly excluded.
- The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type necessitates diligent oversight to manage costs effectively and prevent potential overruns.
- Lack of specific performance metrics or outcomes makes it difficult to assess the true effectiveness and value delivered.
- The duration of the contract (over 3 years) requires ongoing monitoring to ensure continued alignment with NASA's evolving needs.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through a full and open competition process, suggesting a broad search for qualified contractors.
- The contract is for essential engineering services, critical for supporting complex space exploration missions.
- The contractor, Agile Decision Sciences, LLC, is a registered entity, implying a level of established business operations.
- The contract is managed by NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, a key component of the agency's strategic goals.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the aerospace industry. The aerospace industry is characterized by high technological demands, stringent quality requirements, and significant government investment. Spending in this sector often supports research and development, mission support, and advanced technological solutions. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other engineering services contracts awarded by NASA and similar government agencies for mission support and technical expertise.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means that the primary competition was likely among larger, established firms. The absence of small business participation could limit opportunities for smaller, specialized companies to contribute to this specific NASA initiative and potentially impact the broader small business ecosystem within the aerospace support sector.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), likely through its contracting officers and program managers within the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed project-specific information may be limited due to proprietary or operational sensitivities. The Inspector General of NASA would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Mission Support Contracts
- Aerospace Engineering Services
- Human Exploration Programs
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contracts
- Engineering and Technical Services
Risk Flags
- Competition Type Nuance: 'Exclusion of Sources' requires justification.
- Contract Type Risk: CPFF necessitates strong cost oversight.
- Performance Data Gaps: Lack of explicit metrics hinders value assessment.
- Small Business Impact: No set-aside or subcontracting requirements noted.
Tags
nasa, engineering-services, district-of-columbia, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, aerospace, heomd, aes, professional-services, federal-contract, it-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.7 million to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC. TO10-SOW10- HEOMD AES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, 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 $2.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-04-01. End: 2025-06-30.
What is the specific nature of the engineering services provided under this contract?
The contract, identified as TO10-SOW10 for the HEOMD AES (Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Advanced Exploration Systems), is for engineering services. While the specific Statement of Work (SOW) is not detailed in the provided data, engineering services in this context typically encompass a broad range of activities. These could include systems engineering, design, analysis, integration, testing, and technical support for NASA's advanced exploration systems and human operations. This might involve supporting the development of new spacecraft, habitats, life support systems, or operational concepts for future space missions, requiring specialized expertise in aerospace engineering, physics, and related scientific disciplines.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure compare to other contract types for similar engineering services?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset, or when the project involves a high degree of uncertainty or innovation, such as in research and development or complex system integration. In a CPFF contract, the government reimburses the contractor for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing the contractor's profit. This contrasts with Fixed Price contracts, where the price is set upfront, offering more cost certainty to the government but potentially shifting risk to the contractor. Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contracts also include incentives for performance. For engineering services, CPFF can be beneficial for NASA if it allows flexibility in adapting to evolving technical requirements, but it necessitates robust oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and the fixed fee provides adequate profit without being excessive.
What are the potential risks associated with the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award type?
The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award type presents a nuanced risk. While 'Full and Open Competition' is generally the preferred method for maximizing competition and achieving best value, the 'After Exclusion of Sources' qualifier indicates that certain potential offerors were deliberately excluded from the bidding process. The risk lies in understanding the justification for this exclusion. If the exclusion was based on legitimate, well-documented reasons (e.g., lack of capability, past performance issues, or specific security requirements), then the competition, though limited, might still be effective. However, if the exclusion was arbitrary or poorly justified, it could stifle competition, potentially leading to higher prices or less innovative solutions, and may raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity among potential contractors.
What is the track record of Agile Decision Sciences, LLC with NASA or similar government contracts?
Information regarding the specific track record of Agile Decision Sciences, LLC, particularly with NASA or similar government contracts, is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their track record, one would typically look at past performance evaluations on previous contracts, including factors like on-time delivery, quality of work, cost control, and adherence to requirements. A review of contract databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) and past performance questionnaires would be necessary to determine if they have a history of successful project completion, any performance issues, or significant awards relevant to this engineering services contract. Without this information, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and expertise based on past performance.
How does the $2.67 million contract value compare to NASA's overall spending on engineering services?
The $2.67 million contract value represents a relatively modest portion of NASA's overall budget and spending on engineering services. NASA's annual budget typically runs into the tens of billions of dollars, with significant allocations for research, development, and mission operations, all of which heavily rely on engineering expertise. Contracts for engineering services can range from small, specialized support tasks to multi-billion dollar programs for major spacecraft development. Therefore, while this contract is substantial for the awarded company and for the specific task it supports, it is a small component within the vast landscape of NASA's engineering procurement. Benchmarking its value would require comparing it to the scope and duration of similar, smaller-scale engineering support contracts rather than NASA's largest programs.
What are the potential implications of this contract for future NASA exploration systems?
This contract, supporting the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) Advanced Exploration Systems (AES), suggests it plays a role in developing or refining technologies, systems, or operational concepts for future human spaceflight endeavors. The engineering services provided could contribute to the design, testing, or integration of components for lunar missions (like Artemis), Mars exploration, or other long-duration space missions. The success of this contract could influence the direction and feasibility of subsequent phases in these exploration programs, potentially impacting the pace of innovation, the selection of technologies, and the overall architecture of future human space exploration efforts.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
Address: 350 VOYAGER WAY STE 100B, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,085,354
Exercised Options: $3,085,354
Current Obligation: $2,673,257
Actual Outlays: $2,547,332
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80HQTR21D0003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-04-01
Current End Date: 2025-06-30
Potential End Date: 2025-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-27
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