NASA awards $29.2M contract for scientific, computer, and R&D support to Global Science & Technology, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $29,179,587 ($29.2M)
Contractor: Global Science & Technology, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 1999-10-15
End Date: 2003-10-29
Contract Duration: 1,475 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SCIENTIFIC, COMPUTER, & RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGE'S County, MARYLAND, 20770
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $29.2 million to GLOBAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: SCIENTIFIC, COMPUTER, & RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF), which can incentivize cost savings but also carries inherent cost uncertainty. 3. The contract duration is substantial at 1475 days, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The base year was awarded in 1999, with the contract extending to 2003, showing a historical engagement. 5. The contract was awarded by NASA, a key agency for scientific and technological advancement. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to Engineering Services, aligning with the contract's description.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns and performance metrics. The CPIF contract type introduces variability in the final cost. However, the total award amount of $29.2 million over approximately four years suggests a moderate annual expenditure for specialized scientific and R&D support services. Comparisons to similar NASA contracts for engineering and R&D support would be necessary for a more precise 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 bids. With two bids received, the competition level appears moderate. While full and open competition is generally preferred for maximizing price discovery and ensuring fair market value, the limited number of bidders could suggest specific market conditions or specialized requirements that narrowed the field.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process, even with a limited number of bidders, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging lower prices and better service offerings compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's scientific research and development initiatives by providing essential support services. Services likely contribute to advancements in space exploration, aeronautics, and scientific discovery. The contract supports specialized technical expertise within the aerospace and scientific research sectors. Geographic impact is likely concentrated around NASA facilities, with potential for broader scientific community benefits.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly, as the government bears costs plus an incentive fee.
- The long duration of the contract (1475 days) may present challenges in adapting to evolving technological needs or shifting program priorities.
- Limited competition (2 bidders) could indicate potential for higher prices than if more firms had participated.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair procurement process.
- The contract supports critical scientific and R&D functions for NASA, aligning with its core mission.
- The contractor, Global Science & Technology, LLC, has a history of working with government agencies, implying some level of established capability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Scientific, Computer, and Research & Development Support Services sector, a critical area for government innovation and technological advancement. The market for these services is substantial, driven by the needs of agencies like NASA, the Department of Defense, and other research-intensive organizations. Spending in this sector often involves highly specialized expertise and can be characterized by long-term engagements and significant investment in human capital. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within NASA's broader engineering and technical services procurements.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, Global Science & Technology, LLC, would determine any subcontracting opportunities based on its own business strategy and the specific needs of the contract, rather than a mandated small business requirement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contract, NASA's contracting officers and technical monitors would be responsible for overseeing costs, performance, and adherence to contract terms. Transparency would be facilitated through contract reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Engineering and Technical Services
- Scientific Support Services
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Aerospace Research Support
Risk Flags
- Cost Control Risk (CPIF)
- Long-Term Contract Management
- Limited Competition Bidders
Tags
nasa, scientific-services, computer-services, research-and-development, engineering-services, cost-plus-incentive-fee, full-and-open-competition, maryland, federal-contract, aerospace, technology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $29.2 million to GLOBAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, LLC. SCIENTIFIC, COMPUTER, & RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GLOBAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, 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 $29.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1999-10-15. End: 2003-10-29.
What is the track record of Global Science & Technology, LLC with NASA and other federal agencies?
Global Science & Technology, LLC (GST) has a history of contracting with federal agencies, including NASA. While this specific contract was awarded in 1999, GST has continued to secure contracts in areas related to scientific, engineering, and IT support. Their portfolio often includes work with NASA, the Department of Defense, and other research-focused entities. Analyzing their performance on past contracts, including any past performance evaluations or awards, would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and capability. Information on contract modifications, disputes, or terminations could also offer insights into their track record. A review of federal procurement databases and agency performance reports would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment.
How does the $29.2 million award compare to similar NASA contracts for R&D support services?
The $29.2 million award for scientific, computer, and R&D support services over approximately four years represents a moderate-sized contract for NASA. Annualized, this contract is valued at roughly $7.3 million per year. NASA procures a wide range of R&D and engineering support services, with contract values varying significantly based on scope, duration, and complexity. Larger, more complex programs can involve hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. This particular contract appears to be for specialized support rather than a large-scale program. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to identify contracts with similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541330 - Engineering Services) and service descriptions awarded within a comparable timeframe by NASA or other agencies with similar missions.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contract structure for this type of service?
The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contract, like the one awarded to Global Science & Technology, LLC, revolve around cost control and potential for overruns. In a CPIF structure, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fee that is adjusted based on performance against pre-determined targets (e.g., cost, schedule, or technical performance). While the incentive aims to motivate efficiency, there's a risk that the contractor may incur higher costs than anticipated in pursuit of the incentive, or that the targets themselves are not sufficiently challenging. The government ultimately bears the cost of performance, making robust oversight crucial to ensure the incentive mechanism effectively controls overall expenditure and achieves desired outcomes without excessive cost growth.
What is the expected impact of this contract on NASA's research and development capabilities?
This contract is expected to bolster NASA's research and development capabilities by providing essential scientific, computer, and engineering support services. These services likely encompass a range of activities, from data analysis and modeling to software development and technical consulting, all of which are critical for advancing NASA's mission objectives in space exploration, aeronautics, and scientific discovery. By outsourcing specialized support functions, NASA can focus its internal resources on core competencies and strategic direction. The contract ensures access to external expertise and potentially innovative solutions, thereby enhancing the agency's capacity to undertake complex research projects and accelerate technological advancements.
How has NASA's spending on scientific, computer, and R&D support services evolved since this contract was awarded?
Since the award of this contract in 1999, NASA's spending on scientific, computer, and R&D support services has likely seen significant evolution, influenced by technological advancements, shifting programmatic priorities, and overall federal budget trends. While specific year-over-year figures require detailed analysis of NASA's budget and procurement data, it's reasonable to assume an overall increase in spending in these areas, driven by the growing complexity of space missions, advancements in computing power, and the increasing reliance on data analytics and simulation. Furthermore, the nature of R&D support services has likely shifted, with greater emphasis on areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced materials, and space technology development, reflecting the evolving landscape of scientific and technological frontiers.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE (V)
Contractor Details
Address: 7855 WALKER DR STE 200, GREENBELT, MD, 04
Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $360,000,000
Exercised Options: $360,000,000
Current Obligation: $29,179,587
Timeline
Start Date: 1999-10-15
Current End Date: 2003-10-29
Potential End Date: 2003-10-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-09-20
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