NASA's $31.6M contract for Earth Science Data System support awarded to New Rights Group, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $31,654,005 ($31.7M)
Contractor: NEW Rights Group, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-01-01
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,641 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DEVELOPMENT SEED WILL SUPPORT THE INTER-AGENCY IMPLEMENTATION AND ADVANCED CONCEPTS TEAM (IMPACT), WHICH IS A COLLABORATIVE, INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM OF CIVIL SERVICE AND CONTRACTORS THAT WORK TO FURTHER NASA'S EARTH SCIENCE DATA SYSTEM (ESDS) PROGRAM.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $31.7 million to NEW RIGHTS GROUP, INC. for work described as: DEVELOPMENT SEED WILL SUPPORT THE INTER-AGENCY IMPLEMENTATION AND ADVANCED CONCEPTS TEAM (IMPACT), WHICH IS A COLLABORATIVE, INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM OF CIVIL SERVICE AND CONTRACTORS THAT WORK TO FURTHER NASA'S EARTH SCIENCE DATA SYSTEM (ESDS) PROGRAM. Key points: 1. Contract supports NASA's Earth Science Data System (ESDS) Program through the IMPACT team. 2. Focus on inter-agency collaboration and advanced concepts for Earth science data. 3. Long-term contract duration of nearly five years indicates a significant program commitment. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable cost outcomes for the government. 5. Awarded as a sole-source contract, raising questions about competition and potential cost savings. 6. The contract's value is substantial within the R&D sector for Earth science data management.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $31.6 million over approximately five years for R&D support in Earth science data systems appears reasonable given the scope. However, without comparable sole-source contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the lack of competition could mean a higher price than a competed award.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, New Rights Group, Inc., was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process. While sole-source awards can be justified for specialized capabilities or urgent needs, they limit price discovery and may not yield the best value compared to a fully competed procurement.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the government does not benefit from the price reductions typically driven by competitive bidding among multiple interested firms.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's Earth Science Data System (ESDS) Program by enhancing data management and accessibility. Supports inter-agency collaboration, fostering a unified approach to Earth science data. The IMPACT team's work is crucial for advancing scientific research and understanding of Earth's systems. Potential workforce implications for civil servants and contractors involved in the IMPACT team. Geographic impact is national, supporting NASA's mission across the United States.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may result in a higher price than a competed contract.
- Sole-source award limits transparency in the procurement process.
- Performance metrics and specific deliverables are not detailed in the provided data, making outcome assessment difficult.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Long contract duration suggests a stable, ongoing need for these services.
- Supports a critical NASA program focused on Earth science data.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences related to Earth science data systems. The market for such specialized data management and inter-agency collaboration services is niche, often involving a limited number of highly qualified contractors. NASA's ESDS program is a significant undertaking, and contracts supporting it are vital for advancing scientific understanding and data utilization.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false) and does not explicitly mention subcontracting plans for small businesses (sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this specific award. However, the prime contractor's own subcontracting practices, if any, could still involve small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NASA's contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the award simplifies some aspects of financial oversight. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the procurement. Specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential issues arising, but NASA OIG typically oversees agency contracts.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Earth Science Division Programs
- Interagency Data Sharing Initiatives
- Federal Cloud Computing Strategy
- Scientific Data Management Systems
- Research and Development Contracts
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award may limit price competition.
- Lack of publicly available performance metrics.
- Contract duration is long, requiring sustained oversight.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, earth-science, data-systems, sole-source, firm-fixed-price, inter-agency, information-technology, contract-services, district-of-columbia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $31.7 million to NEW RIGHTS GROUP, INC.. DEVELOPMENT SEED WILL SUPPORT THE INTER-AGENCY IMPLEMENTATION AND ADVANCED CONCEPTS TEAM (IMPACT), WHICH IS A COLLABORATIVE, INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM OF CIVIL SERVICE AND CONTRACTORS THAT WORK TO FURTHER NASA'S EARTH SCIENCE DATA SYSTEM (ESDS) PROGRAM.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NEW RIGHTS GROUP, 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 $31.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-01-01. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the specific expertise of New Rights Group, Inc. that justified a sole-source award for NASA's Earth Science Data System support?
The justification for a sole-source award typically rests on the contractor possessing unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or proprietary technology essential for the contract's success, which cannot be readily replicated by other firms. For New Rights Group, Inc. supporting NASA's IMPACT team, this likely involves deep expertise in NASA's specific Earth Science Data System architecture, existing relationships within the inter-agency collaborative framework, and potentially specialized methodologies or tools developed over prior engagements. Without access to NASA's sole-source justification documentation (e.g., a Justification and Approval document), the precise technical or programmatic reasons remain speculative. However, such awards are often granted when a contractor has demonstrated exceptional past performance or holds a critical role in ongoing, complex projects where a transition to a new vendor would be disruptive and costly.
How does the $31.6 million contract value compare to similar R&D contracts for data system support within NASA or other federal agencies?
Benchmarking the $31.6 million contract value requires comparing it against similar R&D contracts for complex data system support, particularly those involving inter-agency collaboration and scientific data management. Contracts of this magnitude are substantial and typically support large-scale, multi-year programs. For instance, other NASA directorates or agencies like NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) or NSF (National Science Foundation) might award similar-sized contracts for managing vast scientific datasets, developing advanced analytical tools, or facilitating data sharing across research institutions. However, direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the specific deliverables, the level of complexity, and the duration. A sole-source award might also inflate the price compared to a competitively bid contract of similar scope. A thorough benchmark would involve analyzing the contract's period of performance (nearly 5 years) and the specific technical requirements against publicly available contract databases for comparable services.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract, and how will their achievement be measured?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables for this contract. Typically, contracts supporting complex programs like NASA's Earth Science Data System (ESDS) would include metrics related to data accessibility, system uptime, processing efficiency, successful integration of new data sources, and the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration tools. Performance measurement would likely involve regular reporting from the contractor, government acceptance of milestones, and potentially user satisfaction surveys from the IMPACT team and its stakeholders. The firm fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor is obligated to meet defined performance standards to receive full payment. Without the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS), a precise understanding of how success is measured remains unavailable.
What is the historical spending pattern for similar Earth science data system support services by NASA or other agencies?
Historical spending on Earth science data system support by NASA and other agencies like NOAA and NSF has generally trended upwards, reflecting the increasing volume and complexity of scientific data being generated. Agencies invest significantly in infrastructure, software, and personnel to manage, process, analyze, and disseminate this data. Contracts can range from millions to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and technological requirements. Spending patterns are influenced by scientific priorities, technological advancements (e.g., cloud computing, AI/ML for data analysis), and the need for inter-agency data sharing. This $31.6 million contract appears to be a significant, long-term investment consistent with the ongoing importance of NASA's Earth science mission and the ESDS program's role in facilitating that mission.
What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for critical R&D support, and what mitigation strategies might be in place?
The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical R&D support include potentially higher costs due to lack of competition, reduced innovation incentives for the incumbent contractor, and a potential over-reliance on a single vendor, creating a barrier for future competition. There's also a risk that the contractor may not maintain the highest levels of performance if they perceive limited market alternatives. Mitigation strategies employed by agencies often include robust contract surveillance, clearly defined performance standards, regular performance reviews, and potentially incorporating mechanisms for future competition, such as requiring knowledge transfer or developing internal capabilities. For this NASA contract, the firm fixed-price structure provides some cost control, and NASA's program oversight is expected to monitor performance closely. However, the inherent risks of sole-sourcing remain.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 80MSFC22R0023
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1226 9TH ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20001
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $37,946,321
Exercised Options: $31,992,135
Current Obligation: $31,654,005
Actual Outlays: $30,023,784
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-01-01
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-27
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