NASA Awards $308K for General Business Support to Partnership Office
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $308,703 ($308.7K)
Contractor: Barrios Technology, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-16
End Date: 2027-04-15
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $848/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: GENERAL BUSINESS SUPPORT TO THE NASA PARTNERSHIP OFFICE (PO) WITHIN THE MISSION SUPPORT DIRECTORATE (MSD) AT HEADQUARTERS.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20546
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $308,702.65 to BARRIOS TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: GENERAL BUSINESS SUPPORT TO THE NASA PARTNERSHIP OFFICE (PO) WITHIN THE MISSION SUPPORT DIRECTORATE (MSD) AT HEADQUARTERS. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Barrios Technology, LLC for essential business support. 2. Spending falls under R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources'. 4. Contract duration is 364 days, ending April 15, 2027.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $308,702.65 for a 364-day period appears reasonable for specialized business support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative and technical support within federal agencies is needed for a definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources,' suggesting a specific justification for limiting the initial pool of bidders. This method can impact price discovery if not managed carefully to ensure competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential operational support, with the value appearing reasonable given the specialized nature of the services.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's Partnership Office, crucial for agency collaborations and initiatives. Funding allocated for R&D sector, potentially impacting scientific and engineering advancements. Contract duration of one year allows for focused support on specific projects or objectives. Barrios Technology, LLC, a known entity in aerospace support, is the awardee.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition method requires scrutiny for price justification.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Award to established contractor with relevant experience.
- Clear objective for business support services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715. Spending in this area supports innovation and scientific advancement. Benchmarks for similar support contracts within federal R&D agencies would provide further context.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis is needed to determine if opportunities for small business subcontracting were explored or if this contract type typically excludes small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty, but performance monitoring is essential to ensure value for taxpayer money.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition raises questions about optimal price discovery.
- No small business participation identified.
- Contract duration is short, potentially requiring follow-on actions.
- Specific deliverables and performance metrics are not detailed.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, dc, delivery-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $308,702.65 to BARRIOS TECHNOLOGY, LLC. GENERAL BUSINESS SUPPORT TO THE NASA PARTNERSHIP OFFICE (PO) WITHIN THE MISSION SUPPORT DIRECTORATE (MSD) AT HEADQUARTERS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BARRIOS TECHNOLOGY, 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 $308,702.65.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-16. End: 2027-04-15.
What specific business support functions are being provided, and how do they directly contribute to the NASA Partnership Office's mission?
The contract provides general business support to the NASA Partnership Office. This likely includes administrative tasks, project coordination, data management, and potentially strategic planning assistance. These functions are critical for enabling the Partnership Office to effectively manage collaborations, facilitate inter-agency and external partnerships, and advance NASA's strategic goals.
How was the pricing determined to be fair and reasonable under the 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' method?
The pricing was likely determined through a combination of historical data, cost-plus-fixed-fee (if applicable to specific tasks), and comparison with similar service contracts. The 'Exclusion of Sources' implies a specific justification was made, and the agency must have documented why only certain sources were solicited to ensure the final price was competitive and represented good value.
What is the expected impact of this contract on NASA's ability to foster new partnerships and advance its research objectives?
This contract is expected to enhance the operational efficiency of the NASA Partnership Office, allowing it to better manage existing relationships and pursue new collaborations. By providing dedicated business support, the contract frees up key personnel to focus on strategic partnership development and research initiatives, potentially accelerating innovation and the achievement of NASA's scientific and exploration goals.
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: 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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 13100 SPACE CENTER BLVD, HOUSTON, TX, 77059
Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $308,703
Exercised Options: $308,703
Current Obligation: $308,703
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80MSFC21D0009
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-16
Current End Date: 2027-04-15
Potential End Date: 2027-04-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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