NASA awards $880K contract for STMD administrative support to Barrios Technology, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $88,000 ($88.0K)
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: $242/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY MISSION DIRECTORATE (STMD) NEEDS ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20546
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $88,000 to BARRIOS TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY MISSION DIRECTORATE (STMD) NEEDS ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors. 2. The contract is for administrative support services, a common requirement across government agencies. 3. The duration of 364 days suggests a need for ongoing, but not necessarily long-term, support. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by establishing a set price. 5. The award amount is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope of work. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 points to R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $880,000 for a one-year contract for administrative support appears reasonable for the scope of services. Benchmarking against similar administrative support contracts within NASA or other federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the firm-fixed-price structure, the government has a defined cost for the services.
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.' This typically means that the agency sought proposals from all responsible sources, but may have excluded certain sources for specific reasons not detailed here. The fact that it was open competition suggests multiple bidders likely vied for the contract, which generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition allows taxpayers to benefit from a wider pool of potential contractors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and high-quality services.
Public Impact
The Science Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) at NASA will benefit from enhanced administrative support. Services delivered will include essential administrative functions to ensure the smooth operation of the directorate. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the agency is located. Workforce implications are likely to involve the contractor's personnel supporting NASA's internal staff.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if administrative needs are not clearly defined and managed.
- Reliance on contractor personnel may introduce continuity risks if key staff turnover occurs.
- Ensuring adequate performance monitoring to guarantee service quality and adherence to NASA standards.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process, likely yielding a qualified contractor.
- Barrios Technology, LLC's experience in supporting aerospace and defense sectors is a positive signal.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting research and development administration. The market for such services is substantial, with numerous companies offering specialized administrative and programmatic support to government agencies, particularly in the aerospace and defense industries. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other NASA directorates or similar R&D-focused agencies requiring administrative assistance.
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 for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, Barrios Technology, LLC, will be responsible for fulfilling the contract requirements.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers within the STMD. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not be publicly available.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Administrative Support Services
- Research and Development Support Contracts
- Science Mission Directorate Support
- Federal Administrative Services
Risk Flags
- Contractor performance risk
- Scope definition and management
- Personnel continuity
Tags
nasa, administrative-support, science-technology-mission-directorate, barrios-technology-llc, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, research-and-development, district-of-columbia, professional-scientific-and-technical-services, delivery-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $88,000 to BARRIOS TECHNOLOGY, LLC. SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY MISSION DIRECTORATE (STMD) NEEDS ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.
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 $88,000.
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 other federal agencies?
Barrios Technology, LLC has a history of supporting NASA and other federal agencies, particularly in the aerospace and defense sectors. Their experience often includes providing engineering, scientific, and administrative support services. A detailed review of their past performance evaluations and contract history within federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would reveal the extent and quality of their previous work. This includes assessing their performance on similar administrative support contracts, their on-time delivery rates, and any past performance issues or commendations. Understanding their established relationship with NASA can provide insights into their familiarity with agency processes and requirements.
How does the $880,000 award compare to similar administrative support contracts at NASA?
The $880,000 award for a one-year administrative support contract is relatively modest when compared to larger, multi-year support service contracts often seen within major federal agencies like NASA. However, its value is context-dependent on the specific scope of services required by the Science Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare it against contracts for similar administrative functions within NASA's other mission directorates or comparable R&D-focused agencies. Factors such as the number of personnel supported, the complexity of administrative tasks, and the required level of expertise would influence the appropriate price range. Without more granular details on the specific tasks, a precise comparison is difficult, but the amount suggests a focused support role rather than broad programmatic management.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract for NASA?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, such as failure to deliver administrative support services at the required quality or timeliness. There's also a risk of key personnel turnover within Barrios Technology, LLC, which could disrupt service continuity. Another risk is the potential for scope creep, where the administrative needs of the STMD expand beyond the initially defined requirements, potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed carefully through contract modifications. Ensuring adequate oversight and performance monitoring by NASA is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the contractor meets all contractual obligations effectively.
How effective is the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type in managing costs for administrative support?
The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for managing costs when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks of cost overruns are relatively low. For administrative support services, where the tasks are often routine and predictable, an FFP contract provides budget certainty for NASA. The contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns, incentivizing them to perform efficiently to maintain profitability. This structure helps prevent unexpected increases in spending. However, if unforeseen complexities arise or the scope significantly changes, modifications to the FFP contract can be complex and may negate some of the initial cost control benefits.
What is the historical spending pattern for administrative support within NASA's STMD?
Historical spending patterns for administrative support within NASA's Science Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) would require analyzing past contract awards for similar services. This would involve querying federal procurement data for contracts awarded to STMD for administrative, clerical, or programmatic support over several fiscal years. Analyzing this data would reveal trends in contract values, durations, types of services procured, and the contractors frequently utilized. Understanding these patterns can help identify whether spending on administrative support has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether the current $880,000 award aligns with historical levels for comparable support 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: $262,940
Exercised Options: $262,940
Current Obligation: $88,000
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: 2026-04-09
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