Nasa's $44.3M Aviational Operational Measurement Systems Contract Awarded to Battelle Memorial Institute
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $44,322,085 ($44.3M)
Contractor: Battelle Memorial Institute
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 1999-11-08
End Date: 2005-02-06
Contract Duration: 1,917 days
Daily Burn Rate: $23.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: AVIATIONAL OPERATIONAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS (AOMS)
Place of Performance
Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43201
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $44.3 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE for work described as: AVIATIONAL OPERATIONAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS (AOMS) Key points: 1. Contract value of $44.3 million over its period of performance. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can incentivize cost control but also carries risk. 4. The contract duration was 1917 days, indicating a long-term engagement. 5. The contract was awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). 6. The contractor, Battelle Memorial Institute, has a significant presence in the aerospace and defense sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $44.3 million over approximately five years represents a substantial investment. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contracts for 'AVIATIONAL OPERATIONAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS', a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure means that costs are reimbursed plus a fixed fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking against similar systems for aviation operational measurements would be necessary for a more definitive value assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION', indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 2 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. While full and open competition is generally preferred for maximizing value, the low number of bidders could imply specific technical requirements or a niche market that limits the pool of potential offerors.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with a limited number of bidders, generally provides a better opportunity for price discovery and ensures taxpayers are likely receiving a competitive price compared to sole-source or limited solicitations.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's aviation research and development efforts by providing essential measurement systems. Supports advancements in aviation safety, efficiency, and operational capabilities. The contract likely involves specialized technical expertise and potentially impacts the aerospace research workforce. The geographic impact is primarily within NASA facilities and research centers, with potential broader implications for the aviation industry.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- A limited number of bidders (2) in a full and open competition might indicate market concentration or high barriers to entry.
- The long contract duration could present risks related to technological obsolescence or changing requirements.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent procurement process.
- The contractor, Battelle Memorial Institute, is a reputable organization with experience in research and development.
- The contract supports critical NASA objectives in aviation operational measurement.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on research and development for aviation systems. The market for specialized aviation measurement systems is often characterized by high technical barriers to entry and a limited number of specialized contractors. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological leadership and safety standards in aviation. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within NASA's R&D budget and similar government aviation research programs.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract included small business set-asides, nor is there information suggesting significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The nature of specialized aviation operational measurement systems may lend itself to larger, established research institutions rather than small business prime contractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, NASA would be responsible for monitoring expenditures, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and verifying the achievement of milestones. Transparency would be dependent on NASA's internal reporting and public disclosure policies regarding research and development contracts.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Aviation Systems Research
- Aerospace Measurement Technology
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires close monitoring to prevent cost overruns.
- Limited competition (2 bidders) may indicate potential market concentration or specialized requirements.
- Long contract duration increases risk of technological obsolescence or scope creep.
Tags
nasa, aviation, research-and-development, systems-development, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, battelle-memorial-institute, ohio, large-contract, aerospace
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $44.3 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE. AVIATIONAL OPERATIONAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS (AOMS)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE.
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 $44.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1999-11-08. End: 2005-02-06.
What specific aviation operational measurements were these systems designed to capture, and how did they advance NASA's mission?
The contract data does not specify the exact nature of the 'AVIATIONAL OPERATIONAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS (AOMS)'. However, given NASA's mission, these systems likely focused on collecting data related to flight performance, atmospheric conditions, aircraft structural integrity, or communication systems. Such data is critical for improving flight safety, enhancing fuel efficiency, developing new aviation technologies, and understanding complex aerodynamic phenomena. The advancement to NASA's mission would stem from providing empirical data to validate theoretical models, inform design improvements, and support regulatory advancements in aviation.
How does the $44.3 million contract value compare to similar aviation measurement system procurements by NASA or other agencies?
Without specific details on the scope and technical complexity of the AOMS, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $44.3 million over approximately five years (1917 days) suggests a significant investment in specialized R&D. NASA's budget for research and technology development is substantial, and contracts of this magnitude are not uncommon for complex system development. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify contracts for similar sensor suites, data acquisition platforms, or flight test instrumentation within agencies like the FAA, DoD, or other aerospace research bodies, considering inflation and technological evolution.
What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for Battelle Memorial Institute under this CPFF contract, and how was performance assessed?
The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or the performance assessment methodology for this contract. Under a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, performance is typically evaluated against technical objectives, delivery schedules, and adherence to cost constraints, although the fee is fixed regardless of cost. NASA contracting officers would have been responsible for monitoring progress, reviewing deliverables, and ensuring that the contractor met the defined technical requirements and milestones. Formal performance reports and reviews would have been conducted throughout the contract's lifecycle.
What is Battelle Memorial Institute's track record with NASA, particularly on large R&D or systems development contracts?
Battelle Memorial Institute is a well-established research and development organization with a long history of working with government agencies, including NASA. While this specific contract was for $44.3 million, Battelle has managed numerous contracts across various scientific and engineering domains. Their track record with NASA likely includes a range of projects, from fundamental research to applied engineering and systems development. A deeper dive into NASA's contract database and historical performance evaluations would reveal the specifics of their past performance, including any awards, commendations, or areas of concern on previous engagements.
Given the CPFF structure and the number of bidders, what were the primary risks associated with this contract for NASA?
The primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, especially with only two bidders, include potential cost overruns and limited incentive for the contractor to aggressively control expenses beyond what is necessary to achieve the fixed fee. While CPFF contracts are useful for R&D where scope can be uncertain, NASA bears the financial risk if costs escalate significantly. The limited competition (2 bidders) also poses a risk of suboptimal pricing or reduced innovation if the bidders did not face strong competitive pressure. Ensuring robust oversight and clear definition of work were critical risk mitigation strategies for NASA.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Address: 505 KING AVE, COLUMBUS, OH, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $44,322,085
Exercised Options: $44,322,085
Current Obligation: $44,322,085
Timeline
Start Date: 1999-11-08
Current End Date: 2005-02-06
Potential End Date: 2005-02-06 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-09-21
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