NASA awards $3.99M contract for environmental consulting at Kennedy Space Center

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,988,964 ($4.0M)

Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2019-09-24

End Date: 2026-03-30

Contract Duration: 2,379 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SERVICE AND SUPPORT FOR AIR SPARGE INTERIM MEASURE ACTIVITIES AT FORMER CENTRAL HEAT PLANTKENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA

Place of Performance

Location: ORLANDO, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32899

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $4.0 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: SERVICE AND SUPPORT FOR AIR SPARGE INTERIM MEASURE ACTIVITIES AT FORMER CENTRAL HEAT PLANTKENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized environmental services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration extends over several years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor. 5. Services are critical for environmental compliance and remediation. 6. Geographic focus on Florida highlights regional environmental concerns.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $4 million for environmental consulting services over a multi-year period seems aligned with industry standards for specialized projects. Benchmarking against similar environmental remediation and consulting contracts awarded by NASA or other federal agencies would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure indicates that the contractor bears the financial risk for cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method typically fosters a competitive environment, leading to potentially better pricing and service offerings for the government. The agency's commitment to open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple companies to bid, which can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is NASA, ensuring environmental compliance and support for operations at Kennedy Space Center. Services include environmental consulting and support for air sparge interim measure activities. The geographic impact is concentrated at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The contract supports specialized environmental consulting roles, potentially impacting the local environmental services workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting services sector is a significant market supporting government agencies and private industry. This contract falls within the broader environmental services industry, which includes areas like remediation, compliance, and engineering. Spending in this sector is often driven by regulatory requirements and the need for specialized expertise in managing environmental impacts. Comparable contracts would involve similar environmental support services for large federal installations.

Small Business Impact

The provided 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 set-aside requirement. The prime contractor, TETRA TECH, INC., is a large business, and their subcontracting plans, if any, would be at their discretion or as negotiated.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program officials within NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. The Inspector General's office may conduct audits or investigations if specific concerns arise.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

nasa, environmental-consulting, florida, full-and-open-competition, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, nasa-ksc, environmental-remediation, air-sparge, interim-measure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $4.0 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. SERVICE AND SUPPORT FOR AIR SPARGE INTERIM MEASURE ACTIVITIES AT FORMER CENTRAL HEAT PLANTKENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TETRA TECH, 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 $4.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-24. End: 2026-03-30.

What is the track record of TETRA TECH, INC. with NASA for similar environmental services?

TETRA TECH, INC. has a significant history of contracting with federal agencies, including NASA, for environmental and engineering services. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, particularly those involving environmental consulting and remediation at space centers or other large federal facilities, would reveal their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedules and budgets. Past performance reviews and any documented disputes or awards associated with their previous NASA contracts would provide crucial context for assessing their suitability for this current award. A review of contract databases like FPDS or SAM.gov could yield specific details on their prior engagements and performance ratings.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated cost or initial solicitations?

Without access to the original solicitation documents or internal cost estimates, it is challenging to definitively compare the awarded amount of $3.99 million to initial projections. However, the fact that it was awarded under full and open competition suggests that the final price reflects market conditions and the bids received from multiple offerors. If the awarded amount is significantly lower than anticipated, it could indicate strong competition or effective negotiation. Conversely, if it aligns closely with or exceeds initial estimates, it might warrant further investigation into the scope or market pricing. Publicly available contract award data often provides the final negotiated price, but not necessarily the initial government estimate.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and deliverables for this contract?

The contract specifies 'SERVICE AND SUPPORT FOR AIR SPARGE INTERIM MEASURE ACTIVITIES'. Key performance indicators would likely revolve around the successful implementation and monitoring of these air sparge activities, ensuring they meet environmental standards and regulatory requirements. Deliverables would probably include detailed reports on system performance, environmental monitoring data, compliance documentation, and recommendations for further action. The contract's success would be measured by the contractor's ability to effectively manage and execute these interim measures, contributing to the overall environmental cleanup and compliance goals at Kennedy Space Center within the agreed-upon timeframe and budget.

What is the historical spending trend for environmental consulting services at Kennedy Space Center?

Analyzing historical spending trends for environmental consulting services at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) would provide valuable context for the $3.99 million award. This involves examining past contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years. Significant fluctuations or a consistent upward trend in spending could indicate changing environmental needs, increased regulatory scrutiny, or shifts in agency priorities. Understanding this historical pattern helps in assessing whether the current contract represents a typical investment, an increase due to specific project demands, or a potential area for cost-saving analysis. Data from sources like USASpending.gov can be used to track this historical expenditure.

Are there any specific environmental risks or challenges associated with the former Central Heat Plant site?

The designation 'FORMER CENTRAL HEAT PLANT' suggests potential environmental risks associated with historical industrial operations. Such sites often carry risks of soil and groundwater contamination from fuels, lubricants, or byproducts of combustion and heating processes. Air sparge interim measures are typically employed to address volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other contaminants in groundwater. The specific risks would depend on the types of fuels used, operational history, and any previous site assessments. Understanding these underlying risks is crucial for evaluating the scope and necessity of the environmental consulting services being procured.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesManagement, Scientific, and Technical Consulting ServicesEnvironmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICESARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 661 ANDERSEN DR STE 11, PITTSBURGH, PA, 15220

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,988,964

Exercised Options: $3,988,964

Current Obligation: $3,988,964

Actual Outlays: $3,497,585

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 80KSC019D0011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2019-09-24

Current End Date: 2026-03-30

Potential End Date: 2026-03-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-04-03

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