NASA awards $440,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for subject matter experts in physical and engineering sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $440,000 ($440.0K)
Contractor: THE Aerospace Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-08-12
End Date: 2026-04-07
Contract Duration: 603 days
Daily Burn Rate: $730/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS .WITH THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO.AUGMENT NASA TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC DISCIPLINES .IN PERFORMANCE OF SOMD ACTIVITIES.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20546
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $440,000 to THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS .WITH THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO.AUGMENT NASA TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC DISCIPLINES .IN PERFORMANCE OF SOMD ACTIVITIES. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on augmenting NASA's technical and programmatic disciplines for SOMD activities. 2. The contractor, The Aerospace Corporation, will provide specialized subject matter experts. 3. This contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 4. The contract duration is approximately 20 months, ending April 7, 2026. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee. 6. The primary NAICS code is 541715, indicating research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 7. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies and market fairness.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $440,000 for approximately 20 months of specialized subject matter expert support appears reasonable for niche scientific and engineering expertise. However, without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing against market rates or determine if the fixed fee is optimal. The CPFF structure means costs will be reimbursed, with the fixed fee representing the contractor's profit. The value proposition hinges on the unique skills provided by The Aerospace Corporation and their ability to effectively augment NASA's existing capabilities.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating it was likely awarded under a sole-source justification. This could be due to the specialized nature of the expertise required, a pre-existing relationship, or specific government needs that only one contractor could fulfill. The lack of competition means that NASA did not benefit from a range of proposals and pricing strategies that a competitive process would typically yield, potentially impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective solution due to the absence of competitive pressure. The government's ability to negotiate the best possible price is diminished in a sole-source scenario.
Public Impact
NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD) will benefit from enhanced technical and programmatic support. The contract supports research and development activities within the physical, engineering, and life sciences. This contract contributes to the advancement of space exploration and operations by providing critical expertise. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the contractor is located.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition limits price discovery and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
- CPFF contract type can incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- Reliance on a single contractor for specialized expertise may create vendor lock-in.
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a known entity, The Aerospace Corporation, potentially ensuring continuity of service.
- Focus on specialized subject matter experts addresses a specific need within NASA's mission.
- Clear contract duration and end date provide predictability for resource planning.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The R&D sector is characterized by innovation and the pursuit of new knowledge and technologies. NASA is a major player in this sector, investing heavily in space exploration, aeronautics, and scientific research. Comparable spending benchmarks for specialized expert support within government R&D can vary widely based on the specific scientific discipline and the level of expertise required.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. The contractor, The Aerospace Corporation, is a large organization. There is no explicit indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data, suggesting that the primary focus is on the direct provision of services by the awardee.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the SOMD activities. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance standards outlined in the contract and the delivery of subject matter expertise. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases, but the specifics of the sole-source justification and performance reviews may not be publicly detailed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.
Related Government Programs
- NASA SOMD Support Contracts
- Aerospace Engineering Services
- Scientific Research and Development Contracts
- Subject Matter Expert Services
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- CPFF contract type requires diligent oversight
Tags
nasa, space-operations, somd, subject-matter-expert, r&d, physical-sciences, engineering, cost-plus-fixed-fee, sole-source, delivery-order, district-of-columbia, aerospace-corporation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $440,000 to THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS .WITH THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO.AUGMENT NASA TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC DISCIPLINES .IN PERFORMANCE OF SOMD ACTIVITIES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION.
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 $440,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-08-12. End: 2026-04-07.
What is the track record of The Aerospace Corporation in providing subject matter expert services to NASA or similar government agencies?
The Aerospace Corporation has a long-standing relationship with NASA and other government agencies, often providing high-level technical expertise and advisory services. They are known for their work in space systems engineering, research, and program support. While specific details on past subject matter expert contracts with NASA are not provided in this data snippet, their general profile suggests a capacity to deliver specialized knowledge. A deeper dive into their contract history with NASA would reveal the extent and nature of their previous engagements, including performance ratings and any past issues.
How does the $440,000 contract value compare to similar subject matter expert contracts awarded by NASA in the R&D sector?
Benchmarking this $440,000 contract value is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work and the duration of services. However, for specialized subject matter expert support in R&D, this value is relatively modest, suggesting a focused engagement rather than a broad, long-term support effort. NASA awards numerous contracts for R&D support, ranging from millions to tens of millions of dollars. The value here implies a need for specific, perhaps intermittent, high-level expertise rather than extensive full-time augmentation.
What are the primary risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The primary risks of a sole-source award include a lack of competitive pricing, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers. It also limits the government's ability to explore innovative solutions or benefit from a wider pool of talent that might emerge in a competitive environment. Furthermore, without competition, there's a reduced incentive for the contractor to optimize performance or efficiency beyond the contract's minimum requirements. Ensuring fair and reasonable pricing and robust performance monitoring becomes even more critical in sole-source situations.
How effective is the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for acquiring specialized R&D expertise?
The CPFF contract type is often used for R&D efforts where the scope of work is not fully defined at the outset, allowing for flexibility as the project evolves. It aims to provide a balance by reimbursing the contractor's actual costs while providing a fixed profit margin. For specialized expertise, it can be effective if the government has strong oversight to manage costs and ensure the fixed fee is reasonable. However, it carries the risk of cost overruns if not managed diligently, as the contractor is incentivized to incur costs to achieve the fixed fee.
What is the historical spending pattern for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD) in acquiring subject matter expert support?
Historical spending patterns for NASA's SOMD in acquiring subject matter expert support would likely show a consistent need for specialized technical and programmatic advice across various mission phases. This often involves contracts for systems engineering, mission analysis, scientific research, and operational support. The total annual spending can fluctuate based on program priorities, new initiatives, and the lifecycle of ongoing missions. Analyzing past expenditures would reveal trends in contract types, durations, and the types of expertise most frequently procured.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2310 EAST EL SEGUNDO BLVD, EL SEGUNDO, CA, 90245
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $898,924
Exercised Options: $898,924
Current Obligation: $440,000
Actual Outlays: $305,016
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80GSFC19D0011
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-08-12
Current End Date: 2026-04-07
Potential End Date: 2026-04-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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