NASA renews Splunk expert support for $1.49M, highlighting critical IT infrastructure needs
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $148,560 ($148.6K)
Contractor: Advanced Computer Concepts, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-14
End Date: 2027-06-03
Contract Duration: 415 days
Daily Burn Rate: $358/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: FY26 CSPD - SPLUNK ASSIGNED EXPERT SUPPORT RENEWAL
Place of Performance
Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $148,559.69 to ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC. for work described as: FY26 CSPD - SPLUNK ASSIGNED EXPERT SUPPORT RENEWAL Key points: 1. Contract renewal indicates sustained reliance on specialized IT support for essential systems. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for this critical service. 3. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources suggests a deliberate procurement strategy. 4. The duration of the contract points to long-term planning for IT infrastructure maintenance. 5. This spending supports the operational continuity of NASA's information technology services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $1.49 million over its period of performance appears reasonable for specialized IT expert support. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal agencies of NASA's scale suggests that pricing is within expected ranges. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, which is a positive indicator of value for money, assuming the scope of work is well-defined and efficiently executed.
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.' This specific procurement method implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, there might have been prior exclusions or specific justifications for limiting the initial pool of potential offerors. The presence of 11 bids indicates a healthy level of competition, which is generally beneficial for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.
Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition, evidenced by 11 bids, suggests that taxpayers are likely benefiting from competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified vendors, leading to better value for the funds expended.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's IT operations by ensuring continued expert support for critical systems. Services delivered include specialized technical assistance and maintenance for Splunk software. Geographic impact is primarily within NASA facilities where Splunk is utilized. Workforce implications include ensuring the availability of skilled personnel to manage and support the Splunk environment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is not adequately transferred to internal staff.
- Reliance on external expertise could pose a risk if the contractor experiences staffing issues.
- The 'exclusion of sources' aspect of the competition warrants further understanding of the initial limitations.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
- Full and open competition, even with initial exclusions, suggests a commitment to leveraging market capabilities.
- The award to Advanced Computer Concepts, Inc. indicates a potentially established relationship or proven capability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on IT services and support. The market for specialized software support, like that for Splunk, is robust, with numerous vendors offering expertise. NASA's spending on such services is consistent with other large federal agencies that rely heavily on data management and analysis tools to support their complex missions. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT support services vary widely based on the specific technology and level of expertise required.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the contractor, Advanced Computer Concepts, Inc., is likely not a small business given the nature of the contract. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this specific award, though the prime contractor's own subcontracting practices would need further investigation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers responsible for IT services. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS, where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- NASA IT Support Services
- Software Maintenance and Support Contracts
- Data Analytics Platform Support
- Federal IT Infrastructure Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in
- Reliance on specialized external expertise
- Need for detailed understanding of 'exclusion of sources' justification
Tags
it-services, nasa, splunk, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, it-infrastructure, software-support, virginia, contract-renewal, expert-support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $148,559.69 to ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC.. FY26 CSPD - SPLUNK ASSIGNED EXPERT SUPPORT RENEWAL
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 $148,559.69.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-14. End: 2027-06-03.
What is the track record of Advanced Computer Concepts, Inc. in supporting federal IT contracts, particularly those involving complex software like Splunk?
A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess the track record of Advanced Computer Concepts, Inc. Specifically, examining past performance evaluations on similar contracts, contract modifications, and any reported issues or successes would provide insight. For contracts involving specialized software like Splunk, their history with similar implementations, client satisfaction, and ability to meet technical requirements are key indicators. Understanding their experience with NASA or other agencies of similar size and complexity would also be crucial for evaluating their capability to fulfill this renewal.
How does the pricing of this contract compare to market rates for similar Splunk expert support services?
To benchmark the pricing, one would need to compare the estimated hourly or daily rates implicit in this contract against prevailing market rates for Splunk expert support. This involves researching industry reports, consulting with IT service providers, and analyzing publicly available data on similar federal or commercial contracts. Factors such as the level of expertise required (e.g., certified engineers, architects), the duration of support, and the specific modules or functionalities of Splunk being supported will influence the comparison. The firm-fixed-price nature of this contract suggests that NASA has negotiated a set price, but understanding the underlying cost structure relative to the market is essential for a complete value assessment.
What are the primary risks associated with relying on a single vendor for specialized IT support like Splunk expert services?
The primary risks associated with relying on a single vendor for specialized IT support include potential vendor lock-in, where the government becomes overly dependent on the contractor's unique knowledge and processes, making it difficult to switch providers. There's also a risk of price increases upon subsequent renewals if competition is limited or if the vendor gains significant leverage. Furthermore, the government's ability to innovate or adapt its IT infrastructure might be constrained by the vendor's offerings or priorities. Staff turnover at the vendor could also lead to knowledge gaps and disruptions in service delivery, impacting operational continuity.
How effective has NASA been in managing its IT support contracts to ensure optimal performance and value?
Assessing NASA's overall effectiveness in managing IT support contracts requires a broader analysis of their procurement history, contract performance metrics, and audit reports from the Inspector General. Key indicators include the frequency of contract disputes, the success rate of contract renewals, the achievement of performance objectives, and the ability to leverage competition to drive down costs. Examining specific IT support contracts, like this Splunk renewal, within the context of NASA's broader IT strategy and budget allocation would provide more granular insights into their management practices and their success in achieving desired outcomes.
What has been the historical spending trend for Splunk-related support services at NASA over the past five fiscal years?
To determine historical spending trends for Splunk-related support services at NASA, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS) for contracts awarded by NASA that are categorized under IT services and specifically mention 'Splunk' or related keywords in their descriptions. Analyzing the total dollar value and number of such contracts awarded each fiscal year over the past five years would reveal trends. This analysis could show whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable, potentially indicating changes in NASA's reliance on Splunk, its data management strategies, or its approach to procuring such support.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: SATPC0040673
Offers Received: 11
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: $148,560
Exercised Options: $148,560
Current Obligation: $148,560
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD60B
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-14
Current End Date: 2027-06-03
Potential End Date: 2027-06-03 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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