NASA's $1.5B Bioastronautics Contract for Crew Health & Productivity, awarded to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,517,116,462 ($1.5B)
Contractor: KBR Wyle Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-03-11
End Date: 2015-10-31
Contract Duration: 4,617 days
Daily Burn Rate: $328.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: BIOASTRONAUTICS CONTRACT-ACTIVITIES FOR THE HEALTH &PRODUCTIVITY OF CREWS WORKING AND LIVING IN SPACE
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77058
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $1.52 billion to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: BIOASTRONAUTICS CONTRACT-ACTIVITIES FOR THE HEALTH &PRODUCTIVITY OF CREWS WORKING AND LIVING IN SPACE Key points: 1. Contract focused on critical research and development for astronaut health and living conditions in space. 2. Long duration of the contract (over 12 years) suggests a sustained need for these services. 3. Awarded as a Definitive Contract, indicating a firm commitment for a specific period. 4. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure incentivizes performance while managing costs. 5. The contract's scope directly supports NASA's human spaceflight missions and long-term objectives. 6. Significant investment in R&D for physical, engineering, and life sciences related to space environments.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award amount of approximately $1.52 billion over its lifespan indicates a substantial investment in astronaut health and productivity. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale R&D contracts for human spaceflight support is challenging due to the specialized nature of bioastronautics. However, the CPAF contract type suggests a mechanism for controlling costs while rewarding exceptional performance, which is a positive indicator for value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of two bidders suggests a competitive environment for this specialized service. Full and open competition is generally expected to yield fair market pricing and innovative solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive process, which aims to ensure that NASA receives the best possible value for its investment in astronaut health and safety.
Public Impact
Astronauts and future space explorers benefit directly from research aimed at maintaining their health and productivity during missions. Services delivered include research and development in areas critical to human survival and performance in space. The geographic impact is primarily national, supporting NASA's research facilities, but the ultimate beneficiaries are global space exploration efforts. Workforce implications include highly skilled scientists, engineers, and technicians in specialized fields of bioastronautics and space medicine.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration could lead to potential cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- The complexity of bioastronautics research presents inherent risks in achieving all stated objectives.
- Reliance on a single contractor for such a critical function requires robust oversight.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivizes contractor performance and efficiency.
- Focus on crew health and productivity is paramount for mission success.
- The contract's scope is well-defined within NASA's core mission objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for bioastronautics research is highly specialized, with a limited number of contractors possessing the requisite expertise. NASA is a primary driver of spending in this niche, supporting its ambitious human spaceflight programs. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of the services, but the scale of this contract reflects the significant investment required for advanced space exploration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify small business set-asides. Given the highly specialized nature of bioastronautics R&D, it is likely that large, experienced contractors would be the primary bidders. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist within specific research areas, but the primary award was not set aside.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a Definitive Contract with a Cost Plus Award Fee structure, performance metrics and cost controls would be subject to regular review. Transparency is generally maintained through NASA's public contract databases, and while specific Inspector General jurisdiction isn't detailed here, NASA's Office of Inspector General would have oversight capabilities.
Related Government Programs
- Human Research Program
- International Space Station (ISS) Operations
- Advanced Exploration Systems (AES)
- Space Life and Physical Sciences Research and Applications
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in complex R&D
- Difficulty in defining and measuring performance for award fees
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, bioastronautics, crew-health, space-exploration, definitive-contract, cost-plus-award-fee, full-and-open-competition, kbr-wyle-services, life-sciences, physical-sciences, engineering
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $1.52 billion to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. BIOASTRONAUTICS CONTRACT-ACTIVITIES FOR THE HEALTH &PRODUCTIVITY OF CREWS WORKING AND LIVING IN SPACE
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 $1.52 billion.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-03-11. End: 2015-10-31.
What is the track record of KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC with NASA for similar bioastronautics contracts?
KBR Wyle Services, LLC, has a significant history of supporting NASA's human spaceflight programs. Prior to this specific contract, the entity (or its predecessors/related entities) likely held contracts for space operations, astronaut support, and life sciences research. Their extensive experience in providing services to NASA, particularly in areas related to crew health, safety, and mission support, positions them as a capable contractor. Analyzing their performance on previous, similar contracts would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, any documented issues or successes, and their overall contribution to NASA's mission objectives. This long-standing relationship suggests a proven ability to meet NASA's demanding requirements in the complex field of bioastronautics.
How does the value of this contract compare to other NASA R&D spending in the physical, engineering, and life sciences?
The $1.52 billion awarded over approximately 12 years for this bioastronautics contract represents a substantial portion of NASA's R&D budget dedicated to human spaceflight support. While NASA's overall R&D spending fluctuates annually and is allocated across numerous programs (e.g., aeronautics, space technology, Earth science, astrophysics), contracts focused on the health and productivity of crews are fundamental to enabling long-duration human missions. This contract's value is significant when viewed as an investment in the foundational elements required for future exploration, such as Mars missions. It is comparable to other large-scale, multi-year R&D efforts within NASA that require sustained scientific and engineering expertise.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract for bioastronautics research?
The primary risks associated with a CPAF contract for bioastronautics research revolve around cost control and performance definition. While CPAF incentivizes performance through award fees, there's a risk that the 'cost plus' aspect could lead to higher-than-expected expenditures if not rigorously managed and audited. Defining objective performance metrics for complex, cutting-edge bioastronautics research can be challenging, potentially leading to disputes over award fee determinations. Furthermore, the contractor might prioritize achieving award fee targets over other critical, less easily quantifiable aspects of research. Effective oversight by NASA is crucial to mitigate these risks, ensuring that costs remain reasonable and that the research objectives are met comprehensively.
How effective has NASA been in ensuring crew health and productivity in space, and how does this contract contribute?
NASA has a long and generally successful history of ensuring crew health and productivity, which is paramount for mission success. This contract directly contributes by funding the essential research and development needed to understand and mitigate the physiological and psychological challenges of spaceflight. It supports advancements in areas like radiation protection, bone density loss countermeasures, psychological support systems, and environmental control within spacecraft. The continuity provided by this long-term contract allows for sustained research efforts, building upon previous findings and adapting to new challenges as missions become longer and more complex. The success of this contract is intrinsically linked to the overall success and safety of NASA's human spaceflight endeavors.
What are the historical spending patterns for bioastronautics R&D at NASA, and how does this contract fit?
Historical spending patterns for bioastronautics R&D at NASA have shown a consistent and significant investment, particularly in preparation for and execution of human spaceflight missions. Early spending focused on the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, evolving with the Space Shuttle and Skylab. The establishment of the International Space Station (ISS) led to a sustained increase in funding for life sciences research to understand long-duration effects. This $1.52 billion contract represents a continuation and likely expansion of these efforts, reflecting NASA's commitment to supporting extended missions beyond low Earth orbit, such as potential journeys to Mars. It fits within a pattern of strategic, long-term investment in the human element of space exploration.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: KBR, Inc. (UEI: 784072626)
Address: 1290 HERCULES AVE STE 120, HOUSTON, TX, 77058
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $1,528,242,741
Exercised Options: $1,520,630,118
Current Obligation: $1,517,116,462
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-03-11
Current End Date: 2015-10-31
Potential End Date: 2015-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-02-26
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