NASA's $345M WSTF Facility Contract Awarded to KBR Wyle Services for R&D Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $345,784,530 ($345.8M)
Contractor: KBR Wyle Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2000-09-19
End Date: 2006-04-30
Contract Duration: 2,049 days
Daily Burn Rate: $168.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TEST EVALUATION & MAINTENANCE OF WSTF FACILITY
Place of Performance
Location: LAS CRUCES, DONA ANA County, NEW MEXICO, 88001
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $345.8 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: TEST EVALUATION & MAINTENANCE OF WSTF FACILITY Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential research and development support services. 2. Long-term contract duration suggests a need for sustained operational capability. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified bidders. 4. The contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee) incentivizes performance while managing costs. 5. Geographic concentration in New Mexico may have local economic implications. 6. The specific NAICS code (541710) points to a specialized R&D market segment.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $345.8 million over its period of performance (2000-2006) represents a significant investment in R&D infrastructure. Benchmarking this specific contract is challenging without more granular data on the scope of 'TEST EVALUATION & MAINTENANCE OF WSTF FACILITY'. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee structure suggests an attempt to balance cost control with performance incentives. The relatively long duration and substantial value indicate a critical need for these services at the White Sands Test Facility.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while the competition was initially broad, specific sources may have been excluded at some point. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized R&D support service. A higher number of bidders would typically lead to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, despite potential exclusions, aimed to secure the best value for taxpayers by allowing multiple firms to bid on the requirement.
Public Impact
Supports critical research and development activities at NASA's White Sands Test Facility. Ensures the operational readiness and maintenance of specialized testing facilities. Benefits NASA's scientific and engineering missions by providing necessary support services. Impacts the local workforce in New Mexico through employment opportunities related to the contract.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- The exclusion of sources, even after full and open competition, warrants scrutiny regarding fairness and completeness of the bidding pool.
- Long-term contracts can reduce flexibility to adapt to changing technological needs or market conditions.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- The contract type incentivizes high performance through award fees.
- Sustained contract indicates a recognized need and successful service delivery over time.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically supporting physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for such specialized facility maintenance and testing services is often dominated by a few large, experienced contractors capable of meeting stringent government requirements. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining its advanced research capabilities and infrastructure.
Small Business Impact
Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided in the data. Given the specialized nature and scale of the contract, it is possible that subcontracting opportunities may exist for smaller firms, but this would depend on the prime contractor's strategy and the specific requirements of the work.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would fall under NASA's contracting and program management offices. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure implies performance monitoring to determine award fee payouts. Further oversight details, such as Inspector General involvement or specific reporting requirements, are not detailed in the provided data.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Aerospace Facility Maintenance
- Government R&D Support Services
- Test and Evaluation Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in CPAF contracts.
- Exclusion of sources in competition may limit full market price discovery.
- Long contract duration may reduce adaptability to evolving needs.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, facility-maintenance, kbr-wyle-services, cost-plus-award-fee, full-and-open-competition, definitive-contract, new-mexico, aerospace, science-and-technology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $345.8 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. TEST EVALUATION & MAINTENANCE OF WSTF FACILITY
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 $345.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2000-09-19. End: 2006-04-30.
What was the specific scope of 'TEST EVALUATION & MAINTENANCE OF WSTF FACILITY' covered under this contract?
The provided data offers the contract title but lacks granular detail on the specific services encompassed by 'TEST EVALUATION & MAINTENANCE OF WSTF FACILITY'. Generally, such contracts at a facility like NASA's White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) would involve maintaining and operating specialized testing infrastructure, ensuring safety protocols, performing routine and corrective maintenance on equipment and grounds, and potentially supporting the execution of various test programs. The WSTF is known for handling hazardous materials and high-energy testing, suggesting the maintenance scope would be highly specialized and safety-critical.
How did KBR Wyle Services, LLC's past performance influence this award?
While the data confirms KBR Wyle Services, LLC as the awardee, it does not detail their specific past performance record or how it was evaluated for this particular contract. Government contract awards, especially for significant R&D support, typically involve a thorough review of a bidder's technical capabilities, management approach, and past performance on similar contracts. A positive track record with NASA or other federal agencies in R&D facility operations and maintenance would likely have been a key factor in their selection, demonstrating their ability to meet the complex requirements of the WSTF.
What were the key performance metrics used to determine award fees for KBR Wyle Services, LLC?
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), which means the contractor receives cost reimbursement plus a fee that is composed of a base fee and an award amount. The award amount is determined by the government based on the contractor's performance against pre-defined criteria. While these specific metrics are not detailed in the provided summary, typical performance areas for R&D facility support contracts include operational efficiency, safety compliance, responsiveness to task orders, quality of maintenance, successful execution of test support, and adherence to schedules and budgets. The government's evaluation of KBR Wyle's performance against these metrics would dictate the size of the award fee.
Can the $345.8 million contract value be considered competitive for the services provided?
Assessing the competitiveness of the $345.8 million value requires comparing it against similar contracts for R&D facility maintenance and operations, which is difficult without more specific market data. However, the contract was awarded following 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' with three bidders. This suggests a degree of competition, but the exclusion clause might limit the pool. The value itself, spread over the contract's duration (approximately 2000-2006), indicates a substantial but potentially reasonable cost for maintaining a critical national asset like the WSTF, especially considering the specialized and hazardous nature of the work.
What is the historical spending trend for similar R&D facility support at NASA?
The provided data focuses on a single contract award from 2000-2006. To understand historical spending trends for similar R&D facility support at NASA, one would need to analyze aggregate spending data across multiple contracts and fiscal years. This would involve looking at the total outlays for facility operations, maintenance, and support services within NASA's R&D directorates. Trends could reveal increases or decreases in investment, shifts in contracting strategies (e.g., more sole-source vs. competitive awards), and the average contract values and durations within this specific sector.
What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee contract for this type of service?
Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts, while offering flexibility and incentivizing performance, carry inherent risks. For R&D facility support, risks include potential for cost growth if the base costs are underestimated or if unforeseen technical challenges arise, requiring more resources than initially planned. The 'award fee' component, while intended to motivate superior performance, can be subjective and lead to disputes if performance evaluations are not clearly defined or perceived as unfair by the contractor. Furthermore, contractors might focus on achieving award fee targets rather than optimizing overall cost-efficiency, potentially leading to higher-than-necessary expenditures if oversight is not rigorous.
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: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NAS9WSREW0810P
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: KBR, Inc.
Address: 7000 COLUMBIA GATEWAY DR, COLUMBIA, MD, 21046
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $207,531,089
Exercised Options: $319,546,436
Current Obligation: $345,784,530
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2000-09-19
Current End Date: 2006-04-30
Potential End Date: 2006-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-12-20
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