NASA awards $1.8M contract for Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board meetings and activities
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,805,958 ($1.8M)
Contractor: National Academy of Sciences
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-08-17
End Date: 2026-08-16
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ENGINEERING BOARD MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES (ASEB)
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20418
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $1.8 million to NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES for work described as: AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ENGINEERING BOARD MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES (ASEB) Key points: 1. Contract supports essential advisory functions for NASA's aeronautics and space endeavors. 2. The National Academy of Sciences, a trusted entity, is the contractor. 3. This is a sole-source award, raising questions about competition. 4. The contract duration is four years, aligning with strategic planning cycles. 5. The contract type is Cost No Fee, indicating reimbursement of costs without profit. 6. The award is for delivery orders against an indefinite delivery contract.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is for advisory services, making direct value-for-money comparisons difficult. The Cost No Fee structure means NASA reimburses the contractor for actual costs incurred, without an additional profit margin. This structure is often used for services where defining a fixed price is challenging. Benchmarking is difficult without more specific service details, but the total award amount appears modest for a four-year engagement supporting a federal agency's advisory board.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis to the National Academy of Sciences. This implies that NASA determined that only this specific entity could provide the required services, likely due to its unique expertise, established role, or charter. The lack of competition means that potential cost savings from a competitive bidding process were not realized.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can limit opportunities for taxpayers to benefit from competitive pricing. While the National Academy of Sciences is a reputable institution, the absence of competition means there's no market-driven pressure to ensure the lowest possible cost for these services.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA by providing expert advice on aeronautics and space engineering. Supports the functioning of the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board. Services are delivered primarily in the District of Columbia. The contract ensures continuity of expert guidance for critical national programs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing opportunities for taxpayers.
- Cost No Fee contract structure requires careful monitoring of incurred costs to ensure reasonableness.
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a highly reputable and established scientific body (National Academy of Sciences).
- Contract duration of four years provides stability for essential advisory functions.
- Focus on advisory services suggests a role in strategic guidance rather than direct program execution.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' This broad category includes a wide range of specialized advisory and analytical services. The market for such services is diverse, but contracts for high-level scientific and engineering advice to federal agencies are often awarded to specialized institutions or firms with demonstrated expertise and a track record of government engagement.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. As a sole-source award to a large, established institution, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award. The National Academy of Sciences typically operates with its own staff and resources for such engagements.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a Cost No Fee contract, NASA's contracting officers and program managers would be responsible for monitoring the incurred costs to ensure they are reasonable and allowable. Transparency is generally high for contracts awarded to the National Academy of Sciences due to their public service mission, though specific meeting details might be subject to confidentiality.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Advisory Council
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine activities
- Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) related activities
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
Tags
aeronautics, space, advisory-services, national-academy-of-sciences, sole-source, cost-no-fee, nasa, district-of-columbia, professional-scientific-and-technical-services, indefinite-delivery-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $1.8 million to NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ENGINEERING BOARD MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES (ASEB)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
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 $1.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-08-17. End: 2026-08-16.
What is the specific nature of the 'meetings and activities' supported by this contract?
The contract supports the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board (ASEB), which is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The ASEB provides independent, objective advice to the nation on significant matters related to aeronautics and space. This includes conducting studies, workshops, and meetings to address complex technical and policy challenges facing NASA and the broader aerospace community. The activities likely involve convening experts, preparing reports, and facilitating discussions on topics such as future space exploration, advanced aeronautical technologies, and national aerospace policy.
Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis?
The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis because the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is uniquely positioned to provide these services. The NAS operates under a congressional charter to provide independent scientific and technical advice to the U.S. government. Its established reputation, extensive network of experts, and historical role in advising federal agencies, particularly NASA, make it the only entity deemed capable of fulfilling the specific requirements of the ASEB's advisory functions. This sole-source determination likely stems from NASA's assessment that no other organization possesses the same combination of expertise, independence, and mandate.
How does the 'Cost No Fee' contract type impact NASA and the contractor?
Under a 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract, NASA reimburses the National Academy of Sciences for all allowable costs incurred in performing the contract, but the contractor does not receive any profit. This structure is typically used when the scope of work is difficult to define precisely or when the contractor is an entity whose primary mission is public service rather than profit generation, such as the NAS. For NASA, it means the agency pays for the actual resources expended. For the NAS, it ensures that their costs are covered, allowing them to fulfill their advisory role without financial loss, but without generating profit from the government contract.
What is the historical spending pattern for similar advisory services at NASA?
Historical spending for similar advisory services at NASA, particularly those involving the National Academies, has been consistent over the years. The NAS has a long-standing relationship with NASA, providing critical advice through various boards and committees. While specific dollar amounts fluctuate annually based on the number and scope of studies commissioned, NASA consistently allocates funds for these high-level advisory functions. The $1.8 million awarded here for a four-year period represents an average of $450,000 per year, which is in line with previous engagements for such specialized, non-profit advisory support.
What are the potential risks associated with this sole-source contract?
The primary risk associated with this sole-source contract is the lack of competitive pressure, which could potentially lead to higher costs than if the services were competed. Without multiple bidders, there is less incentive for the contractor to optimize efficiency or offer the most aggressive pricing. Additionally, sole-source awards can sometimes raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity for other qualified entities. However, given the unique nature and charter of the National Academy of Sciences, these risks are often weighed against the value of their specialized, independent expertise.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2101 CONSTITUTION AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20418
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,669,117
Exercised Options: $2,017,374
Current Obligation: $1,805,958
Actual Outlays: $1,373,523
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80HQTR22DA003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-08-17
Current End Date: 2026-08-16
Potential End Date: 2027-08-16 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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