NASA's $668K Communications Program Task Order Awarded to Lumen Technologies for Regional Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $668,442 ($668.4K)
Contractor: Lumen Technologies Government Solutions, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2020-06-01
End Date: 2027-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,677 days
Daily Burn Rate: $250/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: THE NASA COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM (CP) REGIONAL SERVICES SITE WFF IS A TASK ORDER TO EXECUTE REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS, OPTICAL WAVELENGTH SERVICES (OWS) WITH ETHERNET INTERFACES
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $668,442.11 to LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: THE NASA COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM (CP) REGIONAL SERVICES SITE WFF IS A TASK ORDER TO EXECUTE REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS, OPTICAL WAVELENGTH SERVICES (OWS) WITH ETHERNET INTERFACES Key points: 1. The task order focuses on access arrangements and optical wavelength services. 2. Lumen Technologies Government Solutions, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract runs from June 2020 to September 2027. 4. This is a firm-fixed-price contract with a duration of 2677 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The pricing for this task order is not benchmarked against similar contracts in the provided data. Without comparative data, assessing its value relative to market rates is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific details of the price discovery mechanism are not detailed, making it hard to fully assess its impact on achieving the best possible price.
Taxpayer Impact: The impact on taxpayers is moderate, given the contract value and duration. Ensuring competitive pricing through the full and open process is key to taxpayer savings.
Public Impact
Ensures critical communications infrastructure for NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. Supports ongoing operations and potential future space missions. Provides essential optical wavelength services for data transmission.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed pricing benchmarks.
- Limited insight into price discovery effectiveness.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Long-term contract provides stability for services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Wired Telecommunications Carriers sector, specifically for IT and communications infrastructure. Spending in this sector is crucial for government operations, with benchmarks varying widely based on service type and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this specific award, as the prime contractor is Lumen Technologies Government Solutions, Inc. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by NASA, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. The firm-fixed-price structure provides some cost control, but ongoing monitoring of service delivery and pricing is essential for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Wired Telecommunications Carriers
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may lead to technological obsolescence.
- Lack of detailed pricing benchmarks makes value assessment difficult.
- Limited information on price discovery effectiveness.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
wired-telecommunications-carriers, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, va, delivery-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $668,442.11 to LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.. THE NASA COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM (CP) REGIONAL SERVICES SITE WFF IS A TASK ORDER TO EXECUTE REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS, OPTICAL WAVELENGTH SERVICES (OWS) WITH ETHERNET INTERFACES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, 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 $668,442.11.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-06-01. End: 2027-09-30.
What is the specific nature of the 'access arrangements' and 'optical wavelength services' being procured, and how do they align with NASA's current and future communication needs?
The data does not specify the exact technical requirements for 'access arrangements' and 'optical wavelength services.' These likely pertain to dedicated network connections and high-bandwidth data transmission capabilities essential for NASA's operations at the Wallops Flight Facility. Understanding the specific bandwidth, latency, and reliability requirements would clarify their alignment with mission needs.
How was the pricing determined to be fair and reasonable under the full and open competition, and what mechanisms were in place to ensure competitive pressure?
The provided data states 'full and open competition' but lacks details on the evaluation criteria and the number of bids received. To ensure fair pricing, NASA would typically compare proposed costs against independent government cost estimates, historical pricing, and market research. The effectiveness of competitive pressure relies on the number and quality of proposals submitted and the evaluation process.
What are the potential risks associated with a long-term (nearly 8-year) firm-fixed-price contract for telecommunications services, particularly regarding technological obsolescence or changing servic
A long-term fixed-price contract carries risks of technological obsolescence if the procured services become outdated before the contract ends. Additionally, NASA's needs might evolve, making the contracted services less suitable. Mitigating these risks often involves contract clauses for service reviews, potential modifications, or incorporating flexibility to adapt to new technologies and requirements.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) › Wired Telecommunications Carriers
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 931 14TH STE 1000 B, DENVER, CO, 80202
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $1,308,410
Exercised Options: $1,061,716
Current Obligation: $668,442
Actual Outlays: $599,127
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00Q17NSD3006
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-06-01
Current End Date: 2027-09-30
Potential End Date: 2029-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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