NASA's $26.9M SMASS IV contract awarded to A-P-T Research, Inc. for engineering services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $26,916,822 ($26.9M)
Contractor: A-P-T Research, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-02-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,337 days
Daily Burn Rate: $20.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT
Sector: Other
Official Description: SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE SUPPORT SERVICES (SMASS) IV
Place of Performance
Location: ORLANDO, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32899
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $26.9 million to A-P-T RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE SUPPORT SERVICES (SMASS) IV Key points: 1. Contract aims to ensure safety and mission assurance for NASA programs. 2. A-P-T Research, Inc. has a history of supporting government contracts. 3. The contract is a definitive contract with a fixed-price level of effort structure. 4. Performance is expected to occur in Florida. 5. The contract duration spans over three years, from February 2023 to September 2026. 6. This contract is part of a larger suite of support services for NASA.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $26.9 million over approximately 3.5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar engineering support services contracts for NASA would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The fixed-price level of effort structure implies that costs are controlled to a degree, but the overall value depends on the efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided by A-P-T Research, Inc. Further analysis would require comparing the specific tasks and deliverables to industry standards and pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while initially there might have been some restrictions, it ultimately opened to full competition. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated in the provided data, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive process. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through multiple offers.
Public Impact
NASA's safety and mission assurance protocols are strengthened, directly benefiting the success of its space exploration and research endeavors. The contract supports critical engineering services essential for the integrity and reliability of NASA missions. Geographic impact is concentrated in Florida, where the contractor's performance is based. The contract likely supports a workforce of engineers and technical specialists, contributing to the aerospace sector's employment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if the 'level of effort' is not strictly managed.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical safety and mission assurance functions.
- Ensuring consistent quality of engineering services throughout the contract duration.
Positive Signals
- Award to an established company with a history of government contracting.
- Fixed-price structure can provide cost predictability.
- Competition ensures a baseline level of market vetting for the chosen contractor.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the aerospace industry. NASA, as a major consumer of these services, relies on specialized firms to ensure the safety and success of its complex missions. The market for such services is characterized by high technical expertise requirements and stringent quality standards. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other NASA contracts for similar support services or contracts awarded by other defense and aerospace agencies.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or immediate impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside requirement. The prime contractor, A-P-T Research, Inc., will manage the contract, and any subcontracting would be at their discretion.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Accountability measures are inherent in the contract's performance requirements and the fixed-price level of effort structure. Transparency is typically facilitated through contract award databases and reporting mechanisms. NASA's Inspector General would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Services
- Aerospace Engineering Support Contracts
- Government Engineering Services
- Fixed-Price Contracts
- Definitive Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if 'level of effort' is not strictly managed.
- Dependence on contractor performance for critical mission success.
- Ensuring consistent quality of specialized engineering services.
Tags
engineering-services, nasa, safety-and-mission-assurance, definitive-contract, fixed-price-level-of-effort, full-and-open-competition, florida, aerospace, research-and-development, contract-value-moderate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $26.9 million to A-P-T RESEARCH, INC.. SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE SUPPORT SERVICES (SMASS) IV
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is A-P-T RESEARCH, 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 $26.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-02-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What is A-P-T Research, Inc.'s track record with NASA and similar agencies?
A-P-T Research, Inc. has a history of performing work for government agencies, including NASA. While specific details of past performance are not provided in this data snippet, their selection for this contract suggests they met NASA's requirements for technical capability and past performance. To fully assess their track record, one would need to review their contract history, including past performance evaluations, any awards or penalties, and the types of services they have previously delivered to NASA and other federal entities. This would provide insight into their reliability, quality of work, and ability to manage complex projects.
How does the $26.9 million contract value compare to similar NASA safety and mission assurance contracts?
The $26.9 million contract value for NASA's Safety and Mission Assurance Support Services (SMASS) IV contract, spanning approximately 3.5 years, represents a moderate annual expenditure. To benchmark this value, it would be necessary to compare it against the total contract values and durations of other NASA contracts for similar safety, mission assurance, and engineering support services. Factors such as the scope of work, specific deliverables, and the complexity of the missions supported would need to be considered for a fair comparison. Without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts, it is difficult to definitively state whether this represents excellent, fair, or concerning value for money.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
Key risks for this contract include potential technical challenges in ensuring safety and mission assurance for complex NASA projects, the possibility of cost overruns if the 'level of effort' is not managed effectively, and ensuring consistent service quality over the contract's duration. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management by A-P-T Research, Inc., clear performance metrics and deliverables defined by NASA, regular progress reviews, and NASA's oversight mechanisms. The fixed-price nature of the contract also incentivizes cost control. However, the inherent complexity of space missions means unforeseen issues can always arise.
How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' in ensuring competitive pricing for NASA?
The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award type suggests that while there might have been initial considerations or restrictions, the contract was ultimately competed broadly. This approach, when executed properly, is designed to maximize competition, which generally leads to better price discovery and more competitive pricing for the government. The effectiveness hinges on the number of qualified bidders that participated and the rigor of the evaluation process. If multiple capable firms submitted proposals, it increases the likelihood that NASA secured a fair and reasonable price. The exclusion of sources aspect needs further investigation to understand its initial impact.
What is the historical spending trend for NASA's safety and mission assurance support services?
Historical spending data for NASA's safety and mission assurance support services would reveal trends in investment in these critical areas. Analyzing past contracts, such as previous iterations of the SMASS program (e.g., SMASS III), would indicate whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable over time. This trend analysis can help identify patterns in NASA's resource allocation for mission assurance and potentially highlight periods of increased focus or budget constraints related to these services. Understanding these historical patterns provides context for the current $26.9 million award.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
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
Solicitation ID: 80KSC022R0010
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT (B)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4950 RESEARCH DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35805
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $66,152,587
Exercised Options: $30,552,815
Current Obligation: $26,916,822
Actual Outlays: $23,022,834
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-02-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2028-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-14
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