NASA awards $146,650 contract for market research on potential new headquarters location
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $146,650 ($146.7K)
Contractor: Jones Lang Lasalle Americas, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-08
End Date: 2026-05-23
Contract Duration: 45 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM AND DELIVER A MARKET RESEARCH ANALYSIS REPORT TO IDENTIFY AVAILABLE COMMERCIAL BUSINESS PROPERTIES FOR LEASE AND/OR SALE FOR A POTENTIAL FUTURE NASA HEADQUARTERS LOCATION.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20006
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $146,650.11 to JONES LANG LASALLE AMERICAS, INC. for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM AND DELIVER A MARKET RESEARCH ANALYSIS REPORT TO IDENTIFY AVAILABLE COMMERCIAL BUSINESS PROPERTIES FOR LEASE AND/OR SALE FOR A POTENTIAL FUTURE NASA HEADQUARTERS LOCATION. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on identifying commercial properties for lease or sale. 2. Analysis aims to support future NASA Headquarters location decisions. 3. The contract duration is 45 days, indicating a focused research effort. 4. The award was made under full and open competition. 5. The contractor, Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc., is a recognized real estate services firm. 6. The contract value is relatively small for a strategic real estate analysis.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $146,650 for a market research analysis appears reasonable given the scope of identifying potential commercial properties for a major federal agency's headquarters. Benchmarking against similar real estate market studies for large organizations suggests this price point is within expected ranges for specialized consulting services. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps control costs for this defined scope of work.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to yield a fair price and ensure the selection of a capable contractor. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the method of competition suggests a robust selection process.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and encourages innovation, leading to better value for public funds.
Public Impact
NASA benefits from expert analysis to inform a critical strategic decision regarding its headquarters. The public benefits from efficient government operations and potentially improved accessibility or functionality of NASA's future headquarters. The primary geographic impact is within the District of Columbia, where the current headquarters is located and potential new sites may be considered. The contract supports the administrative and strategic planning functions of a key federal agency.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The analysis is limited to market research and does not include site selection or acquisition, which are separate, potentially larger efforts.
- The short duration of the contract (45 days) may limit the depth of analysis possible, depending on the complexity of the market.
- The report's findings will be one input among many for a significant strategic decision, and its ultimate impact depends on subsequent actions.
Positive Signals
- The use of a recognized expert in commercial real estate (Jones Lang LaSalle) suggests a high likelihood of receiving a quality market analysis.
- The contract is awarded under full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent procurement process.
- The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for this specific research task.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. The market for real estate advisory and market research services is substantial, with many firms offering specialized expertise. NASA's need for this analysis is driven by strategic planning for its physical infrastructure, a common requirement for large organizations, though the specific focus on headquarters location is unique to agency needs.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc., a large business. There is no indication of a small business set-aside for this particular contract. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but could potentially arise if the prime contractor engages specialized local market research firms or data providers.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contracting officer and potentially program managers responsible for strategic planning. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by limiting the total expenditure. Transparency is maintained through the federal procurement process, with contract awards generally being publicly accessible.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Headquarters Operations
- Federal Real Estate Management
- Government Facilities Planning
- Commercial Real Estate Market Analysis
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited scope due to short contract duration.
- Market conditions may change rapidly, impacting the long-term relevance of the research.
- The analysis is a preliminary step; actual site selection and acquisition involve significantly more complexity and cost.
Tags
professional-services, real-estate-advisory, market-research, nasa, district-of-columbia, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, administrative-management, consulting-services, strategic-planning, commercial-properties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $146,650.11 to JONES LANG LASALLE AMERICAS, INC.. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM AND DELIVER A MARKET RESEARCH ANALYSIS REPORT TO IDENTIFY AVAILABLE COMMERCIAL BUSINESS PROPERTIES FOR LEASE AND/OR SALE FOR A POTENTIAL FUTURE NASA HEADQUARTERS LOCATION.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is JONES LANG LASALLE AMERICAS, INC..
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 $146,650.11.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-05-23.
What is the track record of Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. in performing similar market research for federal agencies?
Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. (JLL) is a global real estate services firm with extensive experience in commercial real estate advisory, including market research, site selection, and transaction services. While specific details on past federal contracts for market research reports on headquarters locations are not immediately available in this context, JLL has a significant history of working with government entities on various real estate needs. Their broad expertise in commercial property markets, leasing, and sales across major metropolitan areas, including Washington D.C., positions them well to conduct such an analysis. Federal agencies often leverage large, established real estate service providers like JLL for their market intelligence and strategic planning due to their reach, data resources, and established methodologies. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases would likely reveal numerous past performance instances, though the exact nature of 'headquarters location market research' would need to be verified.
How does the $146,650 contract value compare to similar market research analyses for large organizational relocations or consolidations?
The contract value of $146,650 for a market research analysis report to identify available commercial properties for a potential NASA Headquarters location appears to be on the lower end for a comprehensive study of this magnitude, especially considering the strategic importance and potential scale of a headquarters relocation. Typical market studies for large corporate headquarters or major government facility consolidations can range from several hundred thousand to over a million dollars, depending on the geographic scope, depth of analysis required, and the complexity of the real estate market. This contract's relatively modest value, coupled with a short 45-day performance period, suggests a focused scope, perhaps concentrating on initial identification of broad market availability rather than in-depth site-specific due diligence or detailed financial modeling. It may represent an initial phase of a larger real estate strategy.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract and how are they mitigated?
Key risks include the potential for the market research to be too narrow in scope given the short 45-day duration, leading to incomplete identification of suitable properties. Another risk is that the analysis might not fully capture the nuances of the specific requirements for a federal headquarters, such as security, accessibility, and long-term operational needs. Furthermore, the findings are advisory; the ultimate decision-making process for a new headquarters location involves many factors beyond market availability. Mitigation strategies likely include a clearly defined statement of work that specifies the expected deliverables and the depth of analysis required. The use of a reputable contractor like Jones Lang LaSalle, with proven expertise in commercial real estate, also mitigates performance risk. The firm fixed-price contract structure mitigates cost overrun risk for NASA.
What is the expected effectiveness of this market research in informing NASA's decision on a new headquarters location?
The effectiveness of this market research will largely depend on the clarity and specificity of the requirements provided to the contractor and the thoroughness of the analysis conducted within the 45-day timeframe. If the research successfully identifies a diverse range of viable commercial properties that meet NASA's preliminary criteria for lease or sale, it will serve as a valuable foundational step. It can help NASA understand the current market landscape, potential costs, and availability of suitable spaces in the target geographic areas. However, this report is likely just one component of a much larger decision-making process. Its effectiveness in *informing* the decision is high, assuming quality execution, but its effectiveness in *determining* the final location is limited, as it precedes detailed site evaluations, environmental reviews, and policy considerations.
How does this contract align with NASA's historical spending on facilities and administrative services?
This contract represents a small fraction of NASA's overall budget, which historically includes significant spending on research and development, space exploration missions, and aeronautics. Spending on facilities management, administrative services, and strategic planning, while essential, typically constitutes a smaller portion of the agency's total outlays. The $146,650 allocated for this specific market research is consistent with the scale of spending often seen for specialized consulting engagements aimed at informing strategic decisions rather than executing large-scale infrastructure projects. It aligns with the agency's need for expert advice to manage its physical footprint efficiently and plan for future operational needs, supporting its core mission objectives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2020 K ST NW STE 1100, WASHINGTON, DC, 20006
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $146,650
Exercised Options: $146,650
Current Obligation: $146,650
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80HQTR22AA002
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-08
Current End Date: 2026-05-23
Potential End Date: 2026-05-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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