NASA awards $18.8K for new tech workstation, highlighting advanced computing needs
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,872 ($18.9K)
Contractor: Advanced Computer Concepts, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-07
End Date: 2026-05-15
Contract Duration: 38 days
Daily Burn Rate: $497/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: NEW TECH THREADRIPPER PRO 7965WX DESKTOP
Place of Performance
Location: ORLANDO, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32899
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $18,872.32 to ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC. for work described as: NEW TECH THREADRIPPER PRO 7965WX DESKTOP Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a targeted procurement for specific technology. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a deliberate but potentially limited bidding process. 3. The short duration of the delivery order points to an immediate need for the specified equipment. 4. The procurement falls under 'Other Computer Related Services,' a broad category that requires further definition for precise benchmarking. 5. The fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $18,872.32 for a single workstation is difficult to benchmark without specific configuration details. However, given the 'NEW TECH THREADRIPPER PRO 7965WX DESKTOP' designation, the price appears to be within a reasonable range for high-performance computing hardware. Comparisons to similar, specialized workstation procurements would be necessary for a more definitive value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources may have been excluded prior to the solicitation, potentially limiting the pool of bidders. The number of bidders (3) is moderate for a specialized IT procurement, indicating some level of interest but not a wide-open market.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition, even after an initial open exclusion, may have resulted in a slightly higher price than if a broader range of vendors had been able to participate without prior exclusions.
Public Impact
This contract directly benefits NASA's research and development efforts by providing advanced computing capabilities. The service delivered is the provision of a high-performance desktop computer essential for complex data analysis and simulations. The geographic impact is localized to Florida, where the contractor is based and presumably where the equipment will be utilized or delivered. Workforce implications are minimal, likely impacting a small team of researchers or analysts requiring this specific hardware.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants further investigation to understand the rationale and potential impact on market fairness.
- Lack of detailed specifications for the workstation makes it challenging to assess if the chosen technology represents the best value or if more cost-effective alternatives were overlooked.
Positive Signals
- The use of a firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- The procurement of new technology indicates NASA's commitment to staying at the forefront of computational capabilities.
- The moderate number of bidders suggests that the market for such specialized equipment is recognized and accessible to multiple vendors.
Sector Analysis
The procurement of high-performance computing hardware falls within the broader Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on specialized workstations. The market for such equipment is driven by advancements in processor technology, graphics capabilities, and memory, catering to industries requiring intensive data processing, such as scientific research, engineering, and design. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other government procurements for similar high-end workstations or specialized computing solutions.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). The prime contractor, ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no information on subcontracting plans, so the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor engages small businesses for support services.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability is ensured through the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of the specified goods. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed technical specifications and justifications for the 'exclusion of sources' may not be readily available to the public.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- High-Performance Computing Procurements
- IT Hardware Acquisition
- Advanced Technology Workstations
Risk Flags
- Limited competition due to source exclusion.
- Lack of detailed technical specifications for value assessment.
- Unknown contractor performance history.
Tags
nasa, it-services, computer-hardware, workstation, firm-fixed-price, limited-competition, florida, naics-541519, advanced-computing, research-and-development
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $18,872.32 to ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC.. NEW TECH THREADRIPPER PRO 7965WX DESKTOP
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, 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 $18,872.32.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-05-15.
What specific technical requirements necessitate the 'NEW TECH THREADRIPPER PRO 7965WX DESKTOP' over other high-performance computing solutions?
The provided data does not detail the specific technical requirements that led to the selection of the 'NEW TECH THREADRIPPER PRO 7965WX DESKTOP.' However, Threadripper Pro processors are known for their high core counts, extensive memory support, and robust I/O capabilities, making them suitable for demanding workloads such as complex simulations, large-scale data analysis, machine learning model training, and professional content creation. NASA likely requires these capabilities for advanced scientific research, aerospace engineering simulations, or data processing tasks that exceed the capacity of standard workstations. A deeper dive into the contract's statement of work or technical specifications would reveal the precise applications and performance metrics driving this choice.
How does the price of $18,872.32 compare to market rates for similar Threadripper Pro 7965WX workstations?
Benchmarking the exact price of $18,872.32 for a 'NEW TECH THREADRIPPER PRO 7965WX DESKTOP' against market rates requires specific configuration details, including RAM, storage, GPU, and peripherals. However, based on general market pricing for Threadripper Pro 7965WX systems from various vendors, this price appears to be within a plausible range for a fully configured, high-end workstation. Retail prices for the CPU alone can range from $2,000 to $3,000, with complete systems often costing upwards of $10,000 to $20,000 or more depending on the components and vendor markup. Without a detailed Bill of Materials, a precise comparison is difficult, but the price does not immediately suggest overpayment.
What are the implications of 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' for this contract?
The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' (FOUAES) designation indicates that the solicitation was initially intended for full and open competition, but specific sources were excluded before the solicitation was issued. This exclusion could be based on various factors, such as national security concerns, specific technological requirements that only certain vendors can meet, or prior performance issues. While it aims to maintain a degree of openness, the exclusion inherently limits the competitive pool compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition. This could potentially impact price discovery and the number of viable bids received, as seen with the moderate number of bidders (3) in this case.
What is the track record of ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC. with NASA or similar government agencies?
The provided data does not include information on the track record of ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC. To assess their performance history, one would need to consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS-NG to review their past contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or terminations. Without this information, it is difficult to gauge their reliability and past success in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for complex IT procurements.
What is the historical spending pattern for 'Other Computer Related Services' by NASA?
Historical spending by NASA under the NAICS code 541519 ('Other Computer Related Services') would require analyzing procurement data over several fiscal years. This category is broad and can encompass a wide range of services, from IT consulting and custom software development to hardware support and integration. To understand NASA's spending patterns, one would look for trends in contract values, the number of awards, the types of services procured, and the primary contractors. This analysis could reveal if NASA consistently procures specialized workstations under this code or if this is an outlier, and it could also highlight any shifts in their IT service needs over time.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 80NSSC26925804Q
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7927 JONES BRANCH DR STE 600N, MC LEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,872
Exercised Options: $18,872
Current Obligation: $18,872
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD60B
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-07
Current End Date: 2026-05-15
Potential End Date: 2026-05-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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