Leidos Inc. awarded $29.2M for rodent research payload, with a significant portion allocated to R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $29,241,268 ($29.2M)
Contractor: Leidos Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2018-04-06
End Date: 2024-09-05
Contract Duration: 2,344 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: RODENT RESEARCH (RR) SCIENCE PAYLOAD TASK ORDER
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77058
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $29.2 million to LEIDOS INC for work described as: RODENT RESEARCH (RR) SCIENCE PAYLOAD TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the specialized nature of the research and development task order. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, typical for complex R&D projects with extended durations. 4. Performance context is within the scope of NASA's scientific exploration and research objectives. 5. Sector positioning is within the R&D services sector, specifically supporting space and scientific endeavors.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $29.2 million over approximately six years for a specialized payload task order is within a reasonable range for complex scientific R&D. Benchmarking against similar NASA R&D contracts for space-related payloads suggests that the pricing is competitive, considering the technical expertise and long-term commitment required. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the agency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of four bids suggests a healthy level of competition, which typically drives more favorable pricing and innovative solutions for the government. This approach ensures that the best value is sought from the market.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure the most cost-effective solution for this critical research payload.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the scientific community, gaining access to advanced research capabilities. Services delivered include the development and deployment of a specialized rodent research payload for scientific experiments. The geographic impact is primarily at NASA facilities, with potential for broader scientific dissemination. Workforce implications include specialized R&D roles for scientists, engineers, and technicians.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in long-term R&D projects.
- Dependence on specific scientific outcomes which may be uncertain.
- Ensuring continued technological relevance throughout the contract duration.
Positive Signals
- Clear task order structure within a larger contract vehicle.
- Firm-fixed-price contract type limits cost overruns.
- Experienced contractor with a track record in similar complex projects.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically supporting aerospace and scientific exploration. This sector is characterized by high innovation, significant government investment, and long development cycles. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other NASA or defense R&D contracts for specialized scientific instrumentation and payload development.
Small Business Impact
There is no explicit indication of small business set-asides for this specific task order. However, the prime contractor, Leidos Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors. Analysis of subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), likely through program managers and contracting officers. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract's performance requirements and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases, though detailed project-specific outcomes may be subject to scientific publication or proprietary considerations.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Space Science Programs
- Aerospace Research and Development Contracts
- Life Sciences Research Support
- Payload Development Contracts
Risk Flags
- Long-term R&D project duration
- Complexity of scientific payload development
- Potential for unforeseen technical challenges
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, leidos-inc, full-and-open-competition, firm-fixed-price, space-science, payload-development, life-sciences, texas, delivery-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $29.2 million to LEIDOS INC. RODENT RESEARCH (RR) SCIENCE PAYLOAD TASK ORDER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LEIDOS 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 $29.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-04-06. End: 2024-09-05.
What is the historical spending pattern for rodent research payloads by NASA?
Analyzing historical spending on rodent research payloads by NASA requires a deep dive into specific contract databases and program budgets. Generally, NASA's investment in life sciences research, including studies involving animal models like rodents, fluctuates based on mission priorities and scientific objectives. These payloads are often critical for understanding the effects of spaceflight on biological systems, which is essential for long-duration human missions. Spending can range from millions to tens of millions of dollars per payload, depending on complexity, duration, and the specific research questions being addressed. Factors influencing spending include the need for specialized life support, data acquisition systems, and containment measures. Without access to granular historical data specific to rodent payloads, a precise trend analysis is challenging, but it's understood to be a consistent, albeit specialized, area of investment within NASA's broader science directorate.
How does the cost per unit for this payload compare to similar NASA R&D efforts?
Determining a precise 'cost per unit' for this rodent research payload is complex due to the nature of R&D task orders, which often involve integrated systems rather than discrete, easily quantifiable units. However, when comparing the total contract value of approximately $29.2 million over roughly six years to the specialized nature of developing and deploying such a payload, the investment appears aligned with industry benchmarks for complex scientific instrumentation. Similar NASA R&D efforts for space-based scientific payloads, especially those involving life support and experimental apparatus, can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. The firm-fixed-price structure and the competitive award process suggest that NASA sought to achieve value for money. A more granular comparison would require identifying contracts for payloads with identical or highly similar functionalities and lifespans.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract for Leidos Inc.?
For Leidos Inc., the primary risks associated with this rodent research payload task order include technical challenges inherent in developing specialized scientific equipment for the space environment. These could involve unforeseen engineering hurdles, integration issues with existing spacecraft or station systems, and ensuring the reliability and functionality of life support and experimental systems over an extended mission duration. Schedule risks are also present, as delays in development or testing could impact delivery timelines and incur penalties or affect future opportunities. Furthermore, scientific risks exist, as the success of the research itself is not guaranteed and depends on experimental outcomes. Financial risks are mitigated by the firm-fixed-price contract, but cost overruns due to unforeseen technical issues could still impact profitability if not managed meticulously.
How effective is the full and open competition process in ensuring value for this type of specialized R&D?
The full and open competition process is generally effective in ensuring value for specialized R&D contracts like this one. By allowing any qualified vendor to bid, it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving innovative technical solutions and competitive pricing. For a complex payload requiring specific expertise, this broad competition helps identify contractors with the most suitable capabilities and cost structures. The presence of four bidders suggests sufficient market interest. While specialized R&D can be difficult to price precisely, the competitive pressure encourages bidders to offer their best value proposition. NASA's evaluation criteria, which likely weigh technical merit alongside price, further ensure that the chosen solution represents a strong balance of capability and cost-effectiveness for the taxpayer.
What is the track record of Leidos Inc. in supporting NASA's scientific research missions?
Leidos Inc. has a substantial track record of supporting NASA and other government agencies in complex scientific and engineering endeavors, including space exploration and research missions. Their expertise spans various domains relevant to this contract, such as systems engineering, payload development, scientific instrumentation, and mission operations. They have been involved in numerous projects requiring advanced technological solutions and rigorous adherence to quality and safety standards. While specific details of their past work on rodent research payloads would require further investigation, their general profile suggests they possess the necessary experience and capabilities to successfully execute this task order. NASA often relies on established contractors like Leidos for critical scientific missions due to their demonstrated performance and understanding of the agency's requirements.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc.
Address: 2625 BAY AREA BLVD, HOUSTON, TX, 77058
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $29,241,268
Exercised Options: $29,241,268
Current Obligation: $29,241,268
Actual Outlays: $21,890,793
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 55
Total Subaward Amount: $10,011,573
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80JSC017D0012
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-04-06
Current End Date: 2024-09-05
Potential End Date: 2024-09-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-09
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