NASA awards $676,751 contract for STEM engagement administrative support to Barrios Technology, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $676,751 ($676.8K)
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: $1.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: OFFICE OF STEM (OSTEM)ENGAGEMENT NEEDS ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20546
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $676,751.45 to BARRIOS TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: OFFICE OF STEM (OSTEM)ENGAGEMENT NEEDS ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential administrative functions for STEM outreach. 2. Barrios Technology, LLC, a known entity in aerospace support, is the awardee. 3. The contract duration is one year, suggesting a need for ongoing support. 4. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive process. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty. 6. The value appears modest for a federal contract of this nature.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $677,000 for a one-year period for administrative support services appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar administrative support contracts within federal agencies, this award falls within a typical range for specialized support. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the required services and associated costs, which can lead to better value realization compared to cost-reimbursement contracts.
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 was intended, the specific exclusion of sources warrants further investigation to understand if it limited the pool of potential bidders. Without more detail on the exclusion, it's difficult to definitively assess the breadth of competition. However, the 'full and open' designation generally implies an effort to solicit from a wide range of qualified contractors.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple companies to bid, which can drive down prices and improve service quality.
Public Impact
The Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) at NASA will benefit from enhanced administrative capacity. Services will support the planning, execution, and management of STEM outreach initiatives. The contract's impact is primarily administrative, enabling programmatic success. Workforce implications are likely internal to the contractor, supporting existing or new roles.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for limited competition if source exclusions were significant.
- Risk of administrative inefficiencies if contractor performance is suboptimal.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
- Award to an established contractor like Barrios Technology, LLC suggests a degree of reliability.
- Focus on administrative support allows OSTEM to concentrate on core STEM engagement activities.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically supporting administrative functions for STEM engagement. The market for administrative support services to federal agencies is robust, with numerous companies offering specialized solutions. NASA's spending in this area is consistent with its mission to foster scientific and technological advancement, which includes outreach and education. Comparable spending benchmarks for administrative support services can vary widely based on scope and duration, but this contract's value appears aligned with a focused, one-year requirement.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside requirement. The prime contractor, Barrios Technology, LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, but this is not mandated by the contract's structure.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), specifically the contracting officer and the program office responsible for STEM engagement. Accountability measures are embedded within the Firm Fixed Price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA STEM Education Programs
- Federal Administrative Support Services
- Research and Development Support Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
- Performance risk associated with administrative support services.
- Contract duration is relatively short (one year).
Tags
nasa, office-of-stem-engagement, administrative-support, research-and-development, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, barrios-technology-llc, district-of-columbia, professional-services, federal-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $676,751.45 to BARRIOS TECHNOLOGY, LLC. OFFICE OF STEM (OSTEM)ENGAGEMENT NEEDS ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.
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 $676,751.45.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-16. End: 2027-04-15.
What is Barrios Technology, LLC's track record with NASA and similar federal contracts?
Barrios Technology, LLC has a history of supporting NASA and other federal agencies, particularly in areas related to aerospace engineering, program management, and technical services. Their experience often includes providing support for complex missions and research initiatives. A review of federal procurement data would reveal the extent and nature of their past performance, including contract values, durations, and performance ratings, if available. This specific contract for administrative support aligns with their general capabilities in providing professional services to the aerospace and defense sectors. Their established presence suggests a familiarity with federal contracting requirements and agency operations.
How does the value of this contract compare to similar administrative support contracts awarded by NASA or other agencies?
The contract value of approximately $677,000 for a one-year period for administrative support services is considered moderate. When compared to larger, multi-year contracts for comprehensive program management or specialized technical support, this award is relatively modest. However, for focused administrative functions within a specific office like OSTEM, it represents a reasonable investment. Benchmarking against similar 'administrative support services' contracts (NAICS code 541715) across federal agencies would provide a more precise comparison. Factors such as the specific tasks required, the level of personnel involved, and the geographic location can influence pricing, but this value appears consistent with a defined scope of work.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential underperformance by the contractor, leading to delays or inefficiencies in supporting STEM engagement activities, and the risk of cost overruns if the fixed-price structure is not managed effectively by the contractor. Mitigation strategies include robust performance monitoring by NASA's contracting officer and program managers, clear definition of deliverables and service level agreements in the contract, and regular communication channels. The firm fixed-price nature itself acts as a mitigation for the government against cost increases. Furthermore, Barrios Technology, LLC's established track record may reduce the risk of performance issues.
How effective is the Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) in achieving its mission, and how does this contract contribute?
The effectiveness of NASA's Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) is measured by its success in inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technologists. This contract directly contributes by providing essential administrative support that allows OSTEM staff to focus on program development, outreach activities, and educational initiatives rather than administrative burdens. By ensuring smooth operations, the contract indirectly supports OSTEM's mission by freeing up human capital for strategic and programmatic work. Quantifying the direct impact of administrative support on mission effectiveness can be challenging, but it is a critical enabler for programmatic success.
What are the historical spending patterns for administrative support services within NASA's R&D directorates?
Historical spending patterns for administrative support services within NASA's R&D directorates typically show a consistent need for such services to facilitate research, program management, and outreach. Spending can fluctuate based on the number and scale of active research projects, specific office needs, and budget allocations. Agencies like NASA often utilize a mix of contract types, including firm-fixed-price and time-and-materials, for administrative support. The total annual expenditure on administrative support across NASA's R&D functions can run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scope. This specific contract represents a small portion of that overall spending, focused on a particular office's needs.
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: $1,380,594
Exercised Options: $1,380,594
Current Obligation: $676,751
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: 2026-04-08
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