NASA awards $1.5M R&D contract for Human Landing System mission engineering support to The Aerospace Corporation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,494,655 ($1.5M)
Contractor: THE Aerospace Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-02-08
End Date: 2027-02-28
Contract Duration: 1,846 days
Daily Burn Rate: $810/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE HUMAN LANDING SYSTEM (HLS) MISSION ENGINEERING PROTECTION SUPPORT.
Place of Performance
Location: EL SEGUNDO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90245
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $1.5 million to THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION for work described as: THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE HUMAN LANDING SYSTEM (HLS) MISSION ENGINEERING PROTECTION SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical mission engineering and protection support for the HLS program. 2. The Aerospace Corporation, a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), is the contractor. 3. This contract is a sole-source award, raising questions about competition and potential cost efficiencies. 4. The contract duration is over 4 years, indicating a long-term need for these specialized services. 5. The R&D sector for physical and engineering sciences is characterized by high specialization and often unique contractor capabilities. 6. Performance risk appears moderate given the contractor's FFRDC status and specialized expertise.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its specialized nature and sole-source award. As a sole-source contract, there was no direct price competition to establish a market-driven rate. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can lead to cost overruns if not carefully managed. However, the fixed fee component provides some cost certainty for the contractor's profit. Without comparable sole-source contracts for similar HLS mission engineering support, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one contractor was solicited. The justification for this approach is not provided in the data, but it typically implies that only one source possesses the unique capabilities or is otherwise authorized to perform the work. This lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore alternative solutions or negotiate the most favorable pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to drive down prices. It also limits opportunities for other qualified businesses to compete for this work.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is NASA's Artemis program, specifically the Human Landing System (HLS) initiative. Services delivered include mission engineering and protection support, crucial for the success and safety of lunar landings. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting national space exploration goals. Workforce implications involve highly skilled engineers and scientists specializing in aerospace and mission assurance.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize cost growth if not rigorously managed.
- Lack of transparency regarding the sole-source justification makes independent assessment difficult.
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to The Aerospace Corporation, a recognized FFRDC with deep expertise in aerospace.
- Contract duration of over 4 years suggests a stable, long-term need for critical support.
- Focus on mission engineering and protection is vital for the success of high-stakes space missions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This sector is characterized by innovation, specialized expertise, and often long development cycles. The market for space exploration technologies and mission support is highly specialized, with a limited number of entities possessing the required FFRDC status and deep technical knowledge. Comparable spending in this niche R&D area is difficult to pinpoint without more specific program details, but it represents a critical investment in advancing national space capabilities.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides, nor is there information suggesting subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The nature of the work, requiring specialized FFRDC capabilities, likely means that prime contract performance is concentrated within the awarded entity. Further investigation would be needed to determine if any small business participation is mandated or occurs organically through the supply chain.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NASA's program management and contracting offices. As a sole-source award, the justification and terms would be subject to internal review and potentially oversight by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) if challenged. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature, but NASA's internal reporting and Inspector General's office would provide accountability mechanisms. The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates close monitoring of costs and performance to ensure adherence to the fixed fee and overall project objectives.
Related Government Programs
- Human Landing System (HLS) Program
- Artemis Program
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Aerospace Engineering Services
- Mission Assurance Contracts
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award may limit cost efficiency.
- CPFF contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics in public data.
- Justification for sole-source award not publicly detailed.
Tags
research-and-development, space-exploration, nasa, human-landing-system, mission-engineering, sole-source, cost-plus-fixed-fee, aerospace-corporation, california, delivery-order, ffrdc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $1.5 million to THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION. THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE HUMAN LANDING SYSTEM (HLS) MISSION ENGINEERING PROTECTION 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 $1.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-02-08. End: 2027-02-28.
What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to The Aerospace Corporation?
The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are awarded when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required service or product. For FFRDCs like The Aerospace Corporation, this often relates to their unique position as independent research organizations established to meet specific government needs, free from commercial conflicts of interest. NASA would have had to document why other entities could not fulfill the requirements for Human Landing System (HLS) mission engineering protection support, potentially citing unique expertise, prior work, or specific security requirements that only The Aerospace Corporation could meet.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure compare to other contract types for similar R&D services, and what are the associated risks?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is common in R&D where the scope of work may evolve or is not fully defined at the outset. It allows the contractor to recover all allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee, representing profit. Compared to fixed-price contracts, CPFF offers more flexibility for the government if the scope changes but carries a higher risk of cost growth, as the contractor is reimbursed for all incurred costs. The primary risk is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to a fixed-price contract, as their profit (the fixed fee) is not directly tied to cost savings. Rigorous oversight and cost tracking are essential to mitigate this risk.
What is the historical spending pattern for The Aerospace Corporation with NASA, particularly in R&D for space exploration?
The provided data only details this specific contract. To assess historical spending patterns, one would need to analyze broader federal procurement databases. The Aerospace Corporation, as a prominent FFRDC, has a long-standing relationship with various government agencies, including NASA, often supporting complex, long-term research and development initiatives. Their historical involvement typically spans critical areas of space exploration, defense, and national security. A comprehensive review of past contracts would reveal the volume, types, and value of services they have provided to NASA over time, offering context for this current award.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones associated with this contract, and how is performance being measured?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones for this contract. Typically, for R&D contracts, especially those with a CPFF structure, performance is measured against defined technical objectives, delivery schedules for reports or prototypes, adherence to research plans, and the successful completion of specific mission engineering analyses. NASA's contracting officer and technical representatives would be responsible for monitoring progress against these implicit or explicit performance metrics. The effectiveness of the mission engineering and protection support would ultimately be evaluated by its contribution to the overall success and safety of the HLS program.
Are there any known risks or challenges associated with The Aerospace Corporation's performance on similar government contracts?
The provided data does not indicate any specific risks or challenges associated with The Aerospace Corporation's performance on similar contracts. As a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), The Aerospace Corporation generally has a strong track record and is established to provide objective, independent research and analysis. Their FFRDC status implies a high level of technical competence and a commitment to serving the government's best interests. However, as with any complex R&D project, challenges can arise related to technical hurdles, evolving requirements, or integration issues, which would be managed through standard contract oversight processes.
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 › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 10/01/2019
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: $1,784,310
Exercised Options: $1,784,310
Current Obligation: $1,494,655
Actual Outlays: $1,187,923
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: 2022-02-08
Current End Date: 2027-02-28
Potential End Date: 2027-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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