NASA awards $3.86M contract for audit support services to Castro & Company, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,856,201 ($3.9M)
Contractor: Castro & Company, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-01-24
End Date: 2026-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,527 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: CONTRACT AUDIT SUPPORT SERVICES (CASS) - TASK ORDER 12 AUDIT OF ASRC FEDERAL HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $3.9 million to CASTRO & COMPANY, LLC for work described as: CONTRACT AUDIT SUPPORT SERVICES (CASS) - TASK ORDER 12 AUDIT OF ASRC FEDERAL HOLDING COMPANY, LLC Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized audit services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. No immediate risk indicators identified based on available data. 4. Services align with NASA's need for financial oversight. 5. Contract falls within the professional services sector. 6. Potential for future task orders under this contract.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $3.86 million for audit support services appears to be within a reasonable range for the scope of work. Benchmarking against similar contracts for accounting and auditing services for federal agencies of NASA's size and complexity would provide a more precise assessment. However, given the fixed-price nature, the agency has established a clear cost ceiling. The specific services required, such as auditing ASRC Federal Holding Company, LLC, are specialized and justify the investment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that the agency sought proposals from all responsible sources after initially excluding certain sources. The presence of 4 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized service. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down costs and ensured that NASA selected a qualified contractor at a fair price.
Public Impact
NASA benefits from enhanced financial oversight and audit capabilities. The contract delivers essential audit services for financial accountability. Services are primarily delivered within the United States, supporting federal financial integrity. The contract supports specialized accounting and auditing professionals.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
- Contract duration of over 4 years allows for sustained support and relationship building.
Sector Analysis
The professional services sector, specifically accounting and auditing, is crucial for government financial management. This contract for audit support services fits within the broader category of professional services, which includes a wide range of expertise. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541211 (Offices of Certified Public Accountants) confirms the specialized nature of the work. Spending in this area is consistent across federal agencies requiring independent financial reviews.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data does not indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, although the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is a Firm Fixed Price type, which inherently provides cost control. Oversight will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Further transparency and accountability would be assessed through contract performance reviews and any potential Inspector General audits related to the services provided.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Audit Services
- Government Contract Auditing
- Professional Services Contracts
- NASA Financial Management
Tags
professional-services, audit-support, nasa, castro-company-llc, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, financial-services, federal-agency, task-order, virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $3.9 million to CASTRO & COMPANY, LLC. CONTRACT AUDIT SUPPORT SERVICES (CASS) - TASK ORDER 12 AUDIT OF ASRC FEDERAL HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CASTRO & COMPANY, LLC.
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 $3.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-01-24. End: 2026-03-31.
What is the track record of Castro & Company, LLC in performing federal audit contracts?
Castro & Company, LLC, is a certified public accounting firm that has experience performing audits for federal agencies. While specific details on past performance for NASA are not provided in this data snippet, their designation as a CPA firm and the award of this contract suggest they possess the necessary qualifications and certifications. A deeper dive into their contract history with the government, including past performance reviews and any reported issues, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record. Their ability to win a full and open competition contract with NASA indicates a level of competence and competitiveness in the federal contracting space.
How does the awarded amount compare to similar audit support contracts at NASA or other agencies?
The awarded amount of $3.86 million for a contract spanning approximately 4 years (January 2022 to March 2026) translates to an average annual value of roughly $965,000. This figure needs to be benchmarked against similar audit support contracts awarded by NASA or other large federal agencies for comparable services. Factors such as the complexity of the entities being audited (e.g., ASRC Federal Holding Company, LLC), the scope of work, and the specific audit standards required will influence pricing. Without direct comparative data, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents exceptional value, but it appears within a plausible range for specialized federal audit services.
Are there any identified risks associated with this contract or the contractor?
Based on the provided data, there are no explicit risk flags immediately apparent for this contract. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a thorough vetting process. The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type generally mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. However, potential risks could emerge related to contractor performance, adherence to deadlines, quality of audit findings, or unforeseen complexities in the audit process. A comprehensive risk assessment would typically involve reviewing the contractor's past performance, financial stability, and the specific technical challenges of the audit engagement.
What is the expected effectiveness of these audit services for NASA's financial oversight?
The effectiveness of these audit services is expected to be high, given that they are being provided by a certified public accounting firm under a competitive contract. Audit support services are critical for NASA's financial oversight, ensuring compliance with regulations, identifying potential financial irregularities, and providing assurance on the accuracy of financial statements. The firm fixed price nature incentivizes efficient service delivery. The ultimate effectiveness will depend on the thoroughness of the audits performed, the clarity of the findings, and NASA's subsequent actions based on the audit reports.
What are the historical spending patterns for audit support services at NASA?
Historical spending patterns for audit support services at NASA would reveal the agency's consistent need for such services and the typical investment level. Analyzing past contracts, including their values, durations, and awarded contractors, can indicate trends in outsourcing audit functions. This specific contract's value of $3.86 million should be viewed in the context of NASA's overall budget for financial management and auditing. Consistent awards in this category suggest a strategic reliance on external expertise to supplement internal capabilities, ensuring robust financial accountability across the agency's diverse operations.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services › Offices of Certified Public Accountants
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 80NSSC22R0010
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1635 KING ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314
Business Categories: Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,976,025
Exercised Options: $3,856,201
Current Obligation: $3,856,201
Actual Outlays: $3,765,026
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80NSSC22DA003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-01-24
Current End Date: 2026-03-31
Potential End Date: 2026-04-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-30
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