Leidos Inc. awarded $81.8M for aerospace systems modeling and simulation services by NASA
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $81,826,378 ($81.8M)
Contractor: Leidos, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2005-06-24
End Date: 2012-11-30
Contract Duration: 2,716 days
Daily Burn Rate: $30.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TECHNICAL SERVICES FOR AEROSPACE SYSTMES MODELING AND SIMULATION
Place of Performance
Location: MOFFETT FIELD, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $81.8 million to LEIDOS, INC. for work described as: TECHNICAL SERVICES FOR AEROSPACE SYSTMES MODELING AND SIMULATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust market. 2. Long contract duration of over 9 years may indicate a need for sustained support. 3. The definitive contract type suggests a clear scope of work and pricing. 4. Awarded by NASA, a key agency for aerospace R&D, aligning with contractor expertise. 5. The significant dollar value points to a critical program for the agency.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $81.8 million over approximately 9 years suggests a substantial investment in specialized technical services. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for aerospace modeling and simulation is challenging without more granular data on the specific services provided. However, the duration and scope imply a significant need for these capabilities within NASA. The definitive contract type, coupled with full and open competition, generally indicates a fair pricing process, though a detailed cost analysis would be required for a definitive value assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. With 5 bidders participating, the competition level appears healthy, which typically drives better price discovery and value for the government. The presence of multiple bidders suggests that the market for aerospace systems modeling and simulation services is sufficiently developed and competitive.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition with multiple bidders generally leads to more competitive pricing, potentially saving taxpayer dollars compared to less competitive procurement methods.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's research and development efforts in aerospace systems. Delivers critical modeling and simulation capabilities for complex aerospace projects. Supports advanced scientific and engineering endeavors within the United States. Likely involves a highly skilled workforce of engineers and technical specialists.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
- Potential for scope creep over the extended period without rigorous oversight.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
- NASA's selection of Leidos suggests confidence in their technical capabilities.
- The definitive contract type provides clarity on terms and conditions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on aerospace systems modeling and simulation. This is a highly specialized niche within the broader aerospace industry, which is characterized by significant R&D investment and long product development cycles. NASA is a primary customer for such services, driving innovation and technological advancement. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within other government agencies involved in defense and space exploration, as well as large aerospace prime contractors.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans. Given the specialized nature of aerospace systems modeling and simulation, it is possible that large prime contractors like Leidos may engage small businesses for specific components or expertise, but this is not guaranteed by the award details provided. Further investigation into subcontracting reports would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
As a definitive contract awarded by NASA, oversight would typically involve program managers, contracting officers, and potentially agency-specific oversight bodies. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected. The long duration necessitates ongoing performance monitoring and contract management to ensure accountability.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Aerospace Engineering Services
- Modeling and Simulation Services
- Technical Support Services
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep and technological obsolescence.
- Potential for vendor lock-in over the extended performance period.
Tags
nasa, leidos-inc, aerospace, modeling-and-simulation, technical-services, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition, research-and-development, california, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $81.8 million to LEIDOS, INC.. TECHNICAL SERVICES FOR AEROSPACE SYSTMES MODELING AND SIMULATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LEIDOS, INC..
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 $81.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-06-24. End: 2012-11-30.
What is Leidos Inc.'s track record with NASA for similar modeling and simulation contracts?
Leidos Inc. has a significant history of contracting with NASA and other federal agencies for a wide range of technical and professional services, including those related to aerospace, defense, and intelligence. For modeling and simulation specifically, Leidos has been involved in various projects requiring complex analytical capabilities. Their past performance with NASA on similar, albeit potentially smaller or different scope, contracts would have been a key factor in this award. A review of NASA's contract database and Leidos's federal contracting history would reveal specific past awards, performance evaluations (like Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and the types of modeling and simulation services they have previously delivered to the agency. This historical data is crucial for understanding their experience and capability in fulfilling the requirements of this $81.8 million contract.
How does the $81.8 million value compare to typical NASA spending on aerospace modeling and simulation services?
The $81.8 million award to Leidos Inc. for aerospace systems modeling and simulation represents a substantial investment. To benchmark this value, one would need to analyze NASA's historical spending patterns for similar services over comparable contract durations. Typically, modeling and simulation contracts can range widely in value depending on complexity, duration, and the specific systems being modeled. A contract of this magnitude over nearly 9 years suggests a critical, long-term need for these specialized services within NASA's programs, potentially related to major vehicle development, mission planning, or advanced research initiatives. Without access to detailed NASA budget allocations and specific contract award data for comparable services, it's difficult to definitively state if this is high or low, but its size indicates significant program importance.
What are the primary risks associated with a definitive contract of this length (over 9 years)?
The primary risks associated with a definitive contract of over 9 years, such as this $81.8 million award to Leidos Inc., include potential scope creep, technological obsolescence, and contractor performance degradation. Scope creep is a risk because the needs of a long-term project can evolve, potentially leading to unpriced or poorly defined changes. Technological obsolescence is a concern in the fast-paced aerospace sector; the modeling and simulation tools and techniques used at the start of the contract might be outdated by its end. Contractor performance can also degrade over extended periods if incentives are not properly structured or if oversight weakens. Furthermore, the government faces the risk of being locked into a single provider, potentially limiting flexibility and future cost savings if market conditions or requirements change significantly.
How effective is full and open competition in ensuring value for money in specialized R&D services like aerospace modeling?
Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money, even in specialized R&D services like aerospace modeling. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, it fosters a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. For specialized services, the challenge lies in defining the requirements clearly enough to attract meaningful competition while still allowing for innovative solutions. The fact that 5 bidders participated in this NASA contract suggests that the requirements were well-defined and that a competitive market exists. However, the ultimate value for money also depends on the quality of the technical proposals, the evaluation criteria used, and the effectiveness of contract administration throughout the performance period.
What are the potential workforce implications of a large, long-term contract like this?
A large, long-term contract like the $81.8 million award to Leidos Inc. can have significant workforce implications. It provides stable, long-term employment for a specialized team of engineers, scientists, and technical professionals within Leidos and potentially its subcontractors. This stability allows for the development of deep expertise in aerospace systems modeling and simulation. Conversely, it could also concentrate highly skilled talent within one contractor, potentially making it harder for other organizations or government entities to recruit similar expertise. The long duration might also necessitate continuous training and upskilling of the workforce to keep pace with evolving technologies in the aerospace field, ensuring the continued relevance and effectiveness of the services provided.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY) (2)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc.
Address: 1710 SAIC DR, MCLEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $87,351,028
Exercised Options: $87,351,028
Current Obligation: $81,826,378
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-06-24
Current End Date: 2012-11-30
Potential End Date: 2015-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-01
More Contracts from Leidos, Inc.
- Science Operation and Maintenance Support for the United States Antarctic Program — $3.1B (National Science Foundation)
- Provide Funding for Clin 302 for Pre-Flight and In-Flight Services. Contract Number Dtfawa-05-C-00031, Lockheed Martin. POP 01/16/08-03/31/08 — $1.9B (Department of Transportation)
- THE Facilities Development and Operations Contract(fdoc) Specifies Technical, Managerial, and Adminstrative Work Needed to Ensure the Availablitity, Integrity, and Reliability of Missionoperations Facilites Supporting National Aeronautics and Space Administration (nasa) Human Space Flight (HSF) Programs Requiring Mission Operations Support. the Objective of This Contract IS to Consolidate Efforts Across the Facilities Covered Under Fodoc in Order to Maximize Synergy for Hardware and Software Development, Modification, Sustaining. Maintenance, Reconfiguration, and Operations for the Purpose of Reducing Cost Without Compromising Facility Functionality and Performance. Nasa Will Collaborate With the Contractor on Developing Procedural and Technical Innovations That Improve Quality, Ensure Customer Satisfaction and Reduce Cost. Mission Operations Facilities Currently Support the Space Shuttle Programand the International Space Station Progra, Including International Partner and Commmercial Visiting Vehicles. Mission Operations Facilities Supporting the Cnstellation Program(cxp) ARE Continuously Under Development in Concert With CXP Formulation and Implementation. Fdoc Applies to the Facilities of These Three Programs, and ANY Other HSF Program Requiring Mission Operations Facility Support. in Addition, Future Mission Operations Facilities and Capabilities ARE Within the Technical Scope of This SOW, and Fdoc Worlk Associated With These Facilities Will BE Enabled Through Idiq — $1.3B (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- National Airspace System (NAS) Implementation Support Contract (nisc). Provides Engineering and Technical Support Services to FAA Organizations Responsible for NAS Transformation, Integration and Implementation in the Areas of Implementation and Integration Planning, Transition Planning, Engineering Support, Environmental Support, Automation Support and Other Engineering and Technical Disciplines AS Required. TAS::69 8107::TAS — $1.1B (Department of Transportation)
- Itssc Task Order for Systems — $1.1B (Social Security Administration)
Other National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracts
- International Space Station — $22.4B (THE Boeing Company)
- TAS::80 0124::TAS Design, Development, Test&evaluation of Project Orion — $15.5B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- Provide Developmental Hardware and Test Articles, and Manufacture and Assemble Ares I Upper Stages. the Upper Stage (US) Element IS an Integral Part of the Ares I Launch Vehicle and Provides the Second Stage of Flight. the US Element IS Responsible for the Roll Control During the First Stage Burn and Separation; and Will Provide the Guidance and Navigation, Command and Data Handling, and Other Avionics Functions for the Ares I During ALL Phases of the Ascent Flight. the US Element IS a NEW Design That Emphasizes Safety, Operability, and Minimum Life Cycle Cost. the Overall Design, Development, Test and Evaluation (ddt&e), Production, and Sustaining Engineering Efforts Include Activities Performed by Three Organizations; the Nasa Design Team (NDT), the Upper Stage Production Contractor (uspc) and the Instrument Unit Production Contractor (iupc). for Clarity, the Uspc Will BE Referred to AS the Contractor Throughout This Document. Nasa IS Responsible for the Integration of the Primary Elements of the Ares I Launch Vehicle Including: the First Stage, US Including Instrument Unit (IU), and US Engine; and Will Also Integrate the Ares I Launch Vehicle AT the Launch Site. Nasa IS Responsible for the Ddt&e, Including Technical and Programmatic Integration of the US Subsystems and Government-Furnished Property. Nasa Will Lead the Effort to Develop the Requirements and Specifications of the US Element, the Development Plan and Testing Requirements, and ALL Design Documentation, Initial Manufacturing and Assembly Process Planning, Logistics Planning, and Operations Support Planning. Development, Qualification, and Acceptance Testing Will BE Conducted by Nasa and the Contractor to Satisfy Requirements and for Risk Mitigation. Nasa IS Responsible for the Overall Upper Stage Verification and Validation Process and Will Require Support From the Contractor. the Contractor IS Responsible for the Manufacture and Assembly of the Upper Stage Test Flight and Operational Upper Stage Units Including the Installation of Upper Stage Instrument Unit, the Government-Furnished US Engine, Booster Separation Motors, and Other Government-Furnished Property. a Description of the Nasa Managed and Performed Efforts IS Contained in the US Work Packages and Will BE Made Available to the Contractor to Ensure Their Understanding of the Roles and Responsibilities of the NDT, Iupc, and Contractor During the Design, Development, and Operation of the US Element. the US Conceptual Design Described in the Uso-Clv-Se-25704 US Design Definition Document (DDD) IS the Baseline Design for This Contract. the Contractors Early Role Will BE to Provide Producibility Engineering Support to Nasa VIA the Established US Office Structure and to Provide Inputs Into the Final Design Configuration, Specifications, and Standards. Nasa Will Transition the Manufacturing and Assembly, Logistics Support Infrastructure, Configuration Management, and the Sustaining Engineering Functions to the Contractor AT the KEY Points During the Development and Implementation of the Program Currently Planned to Occur NO Later Than 90 Days After the Completion of the Following Major Milestones: Manufacturing and Assembly US Preliminary Design Review (PDR) Logistics Support Infrastructure US PDR Configuration Management US Critical Design Review CDR) Sustaining Engineering US Design Certification Review (DCR) After the Completion of an Orderly Transition of Roles and Responsibilities to the Contractor, Nasa Will Assume an Insight Role Into the Contractors Production, Sustaining Engineering, and Operations Support of the Ares I US Test Program and Flight Hardware. After DCR, the Contractor Will BE Responsible for Sustaining Engineering PER SOW Section 4.7, AS Necessary to Maintain and Support the US Configuration and for Production and Operations Support — $10.5B (THE Boeing Company)
- Space Program Operations Contract (spoc) — $8.5B (United Space Alliance, LLC)
- Joint Us/Russian Human Space Flight Activities — $4.7B (Russia Space Agency)
View all National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracts →