NASA's $1.66B GISS Contract Awarded to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,565,939 ($16.6M)
Contractor: KBR Wyle Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2000-06-15
End Date: 2006-06-30
Contract Duration: 2,206 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: GOODARD INSTITUTE FOR SPACE STUDIES (GISS).
Place of Performance
Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10025
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $16.6 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: GOODARD INSTITUTE FOR SPACE STUDIES (GISS). Key points: 1. Contract Value: $1.66 billion over 2206 days. 2. Competition: Full and open competition indicates a robust market. 3. Risk: Cost-plus award fee structure can incentivize cost overruns. 4. Sector: Primarily IT and R&D services for space studies.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's cost-plus award fee structure, while incentivizing performance, carries inherent risk of cost escalation compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D and IT support contracts is difficult without detailed scope.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process that should theoretically lead to better price discovery. However, the cost-plus award fee nature may temper the direct price benefits typically seen in fixed-price contracts.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for extensive research and development. The cost-plus award fee structure necessitates careful oversight to ensure value for money and prevent excessive spending.
Public Impact
Supports critical space research at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Long-term contract duration suggests significant, ongoing operational needs. Potential for technological advancements and scientific discoveries. Job creation in scientific research and support services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus award fee structure can lead to higher costs.
- Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep and cost overruns.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition promotes market fairness.
- Contract supports vital scientific research.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research & Development and Information Technology sectors, supporting NASA's scientific endeavors. Spending benchmarks for similar large-scale, long-duration R&D support contracts are typically in the hundreds of millions to billions of dollars.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate specific subcontracting goals or participation by small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's cost-plus award fee structure requires robust oversight from NASA to ensure performance targets are met and costs are managed effectively. Regular audits and performance reviews are crucial.
Related Government Programs
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Overruns
- Performance Below Expectations
- Scope Creep
- Lack of Small Business Participation
Tags
national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ny, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $16.6 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. GOODARD INSTITUTE FOR SPACE STUDIES (GISS).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is KBR WYLE SERVICES, 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 $16.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2000-06-15. End: 2006-06-30.
What specific research and development activities are covered under this contract, and how do they align with NASA's strategic goals?
The contract supports activities at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), likely encompassing climate change research, astrophysics, and Earth science. Alignment with NASA's strategic goals would depend on GISS's specific research priorities, which are generally focused on understanding Earth's climate and the universe.
How effectively has KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC managed costs and performance under this contract, given the cost-plus award fee structure?
Assessing cost and performance effectiveness requires access to detailed contract performance reports and financial data. The cost-plus award fee structure implies that performance metrics are tied to fee adjustments, suggesting that NASA actively monitors and evaluates KBR WYLE's execution against defined objectives.
What is the long-term impact of this contract on scientific advancement and technological innovation within the specified research areas?
Contracts of this magnitude and duration typically foster significant advancements by providing stable funding for long-term research projects. The sustained investment enables in-depth scientific inquiry and the development of new technologies, potentially leading to breakthroughs in climate science, space exploration, and related fields.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: KBR, Inc.
Address: 7701 GREENBELT RD STE 400, GREENBELT, MD, 20770
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,084,539
Exercised Options: $16,845,049
Current Obligation: $16,565,939
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2000-06-15
Current End Date: 2006-06-30
Potential End Date: 2006-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-08-20
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