NASA's HLS Program Office Support Contract Awarded to Aerospace Corp for $3.2M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,230,622 ($3.2M)
Contractor: THE Aerospace Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2019-10-01
End Date: 2027-02-28
Contract Duration: 2,707 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: HUMAN LANDING SYSTEM (HLS) PROGRAM OFFICE SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35812
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $3.2 million to THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION for work described as: HUMAN LANDING SYSTEM (HLS) PROGRAM OFFICE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single entity, raising questions about competition. 2. Significant funding allocated for R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 3. Long contract duration suggests a sustained need for specialized support. 4. Lack of small business participation noted.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure for R&D services can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in the government paying more than necessary for these specialized R&D support services.
Public Impact
Supports critical NASA research and development initiatives. Potential for innovation in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Long-term commitment to a single contractor could impact future flexibility.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus contract type
- Lack of small business participation
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D
- Long-term engagement
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement but requires careful oversight to ensure value for money.
Small Business Impact
The contract does not appear to include provisions for small business participation. This is a missed opportunity to foster innovation and economic growth within the small business community.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the contractor is performing efficiently and that costs are reasonable. NASA's internal oversight mechanisms will be critical.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to cost-plus structure.
- Lack of competitive pressure may lead to inflated pricing.
- Limited transparency due to sole-source award.
- No small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, al, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $3.2 million to THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION. HUMAN LANDING SYSTEM (HLS) PROGRAM OFFICE SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION.
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 $3.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-10-01. End: 2027-02-28.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and what steps are being taken to ensure fair pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities or urgent needs. NASA should provide detailed documentation supporting this decision. To ensure fair pricing, rigorous negotiation, independent cost estimates, and ongoing performance monitoring are essential, especially with a cost-plus contract.
How is the effectiveness of the R&D support being measured, given the lack of competition?
Effectiveness measurement for R&D support, especially under a sole-source contract, relies heavily on clearly defined performance metrics, milestones, and deliverables outlined in the contract. Regular progress reviews, technical assessments by government experts, and comparison against program objectives are crucial to gauge success and ensure taxpayer value.
What is the long-term strategy for ensuring competitive sourcing for similar future needs?
To ensure future competitive sourcing, NASA should conduct market research to identify potential alternative providers and explore opportunities for breaking down requirements into smaller, more competitive packages. Developing clear acquisition strategies that prioritize competition, even for specialized services, is key to fostering innovation and achieving better value.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2310 EAST EL SEGUNDO BLVD, EL SEGUNDO, CA, 90245
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,672,780
Exercised Options: $3,672,780
Current Obligation: $3,230,622
Actual Outlays: $3,067,585
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80GSFC19D0011
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-10-01
Current End Date: 2027-02-28
Potential End Date: 2027-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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