NASA awards $1.79M for environmental services at Stennis Space Center, with Tetra Tech Inc. as prime
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,786,438 ($1.8M)
Contractor: Tetra Tech, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-06-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 486 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AT STENNIS SPACE CENTER TO INCLUDE NASA SHARED SERVICES CENTER (NSSC) AND NATIONAL CENTER FOR CRITICAL INFORMATION PROCESSING AND STORAGE (NCCIPS).
Place of Performance
Location: STENNIS SPACE CENTER, HANCOCK County, MISSISSIPPI, 39529
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $1.8 million to TETRA TECH, INC. for work described as: ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AT STENNIS SPACE CENTER TO INCLUDE NASA SHARED SERVICES CENTER (NSSC) AND NATIONAL CENTER FOR CRITICAL INFORMATION PROCESSING AND STORAGE (NCCIPS). Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-negotiated agreement for services. 2. The contract is Firm Fixed Price (FFP), which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a broad market solicitation. 4. The contract duration is approximately 4 years, aligning with typical service contracts of this nature. 5. The services encompass environmental consulting for multiple NASA facilities, including NSSC and NCCIPS. 6. The contract value is modest for a federal service contract, suggesting a focused scope.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $1.79 million over approximately four years appears reasonable for environmental consulting services at a major NASA facility. Benchmarking against similar environmental service contracts for federal agencies of comparable size and scope would provide a more precise value assessment. The Firm Fixed Price contract type is generally favorable for the government when scope is well-defined, as it caps potential cost overruns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 4 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This broad solicitation process is designed to ensure the government receives competitive pricing and the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and ensuring that the government is not limited to a single provider, thus maximizing the efficient use of public funds.
Public Impact
NASA facilities, specifically Stennis Space Center, NSSC, and NCCIPS, will benefit from environmental consulting services. Services include environmental compliance, assessment, and potentially remediation support. The geographic impact is concentrated in Mississippi, where Stennis Space Center is located. The contract supports specialized environmental consulting jobs, likely requiring skilled professionals.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if environmental issues are more complex than initially defined.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical environmental services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
- Awarding via a BPA Call indicates existing relationship and potentially streamlined acquisition process.
Sector Analysis
Environmental consulting services are a critical component of federal agency operations, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and promoting sustainable practices. The market for these services is diverse, encompassing a wide range of expertise from site assessments to hazardous waste management. Federal spending in this sector is driven by regulatory requirements and the need to manage environmental liabilities associated with government facilities and land holdings. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services supporting federal infrastructure and operations.
Small Business Impact
The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions, nor is the prime contractor listed as a small business. Therefore, the direct impact on small business set-asides appears minimal. However, the prime contractor, Tetra Tech, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill portions of the contract requirements, contributing indirectly to the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the NASA program office responsible for Stennis Space Center operations. The Firm Fixed Price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by capping costs. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Compliance Services
- Professional and Technical Services
- NASA Shared Services Center Operations
- Critical Information Processing and Storage Facilities
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep
- Contractor performance risk
- Reliance on single source for critical services
Tags
environmental-services, nasa, stennis-space-center, tetra-tech-inc, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, mississippi, professional-services, bpa-call, consulting
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $1.8 million to TETRA TECH, INC.. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AT STENNIS SPACE CENTER TO INCLUDE NASA SHARED SERVICES CENTER (NSSC) AND NATIONAL CENTER FOR CRITICAL INFORMATION PROCESSING AND STORAGE (NCCIPS).
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 $1.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-06-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What is Tetra Tech, Inc.'s track record with NASA and other federal agencies for environmental services?
Tetra Tech, Inc. is a large, established government contractor with extensive experience in environmental services across various federal agencies, including NASA. A review of federal procurement data (e.g., FPDS) would reveal their past performance, including contract values, types, and any reported performance issues or accolades. Their history suggests a capacity to handle complex environmental projects. Specific details on their performance with NASA would require a deeper dive into contract histories, but their overall profile indicates a significant presence in this sector.
How does the $1.79 million contract value compare to similar environmental consulting contracts awarded by NASA or other agencies?
The $1.79 million contract value over approximately four years is a moderate amount for environmental consulting services at a federal facility. Larger, more complex environmental remediation projects or comprehensive site-wide management contracts can easily reach tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. However, for specific consulting tasks, assessments, or support for a defined scope at a facility like Stennis, this value is within a reasonable range. Benchmarking against contracts for similar services (e.g., environmental assessments, compliance support) at other NASA centers or comparable Department of Defense facilities would provide a clearer picture of its relative value.
What are the primary risks associated with this environmental services contract?
Key risks include potential scope creep if unforeseen environmental conditions require extensive additional work beyond the initial definition, which could strain the Firm Fixed Price structure. Contractor performance risk is also present; any deficiencies in Tetra Tech's service delivery could impact NASA's environmental compliance and operations. Furthermore, reliance on a single contractor for critical environmental functions could pose a risk if the contractor faces financial instability or significant operational disruptions. Ensuring robust oversight and clear communication channels will be crucial to mitigating these risks.
How effective are environmental consulting services typically in ensuring federal agency compliance with regulations?
Environmental consulting services are generally effective when properly scoped, managed, and executed. They provide specialized expertise that federal agencies may not possess internally, helping to navigate complex environmental laws (like NEPA, RCRA, CERCLA) and agency-specific policies. Consultants assist in identifying potential liabilities, developing compliance strategies, conducting assessments, and preparing necessary documentation. The effectiveness hinges on the quality of the consultant's work, the agency's commitment to implementing recommendations, and the clarity of the contract's objectives. When these factors align, consulting services are a vital tool for maintaining compliance and mitigating environmental risks.
What are historical spending patterns for environmental services at Stennis Space Center or similar NASA facilities?
Historical spending on environmental services at Stennis Space Center and comparable NASA facilities typically fluctuates based on specific needs, such as major infrastructure projects, regulatory changes, or the discovery of environmental issues. Agencies often have ongoing contracts for routine environmental monitoring and compliance support, supplemented by project-specific contracts for assessments or remediation. Analyzing past NASA budgets and contract awards related to environmental management at facilities of similar size and complexity would reveal trends. This $1.79 million award appears to be a specific task order or call against a broader BPA, suggesting it addresses a defined set of needs rather than a comprehensive, long-term environmental management program.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS
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
Address: 3475 EAST FOOTHILL BOULEVARD, PASADENA, CA, 91107
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $7,919,801
Exercised Options: $1,947,693
Current Obligation: $1,786,438
Actual Outlays: $970,849
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80KSC025A0009
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-06-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2030-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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