NASA's $42.6M RRSW contract awarded to AXIENT LLC for space R&D services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $42,615,716 ($42.6M)
Contractor: Axient LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2010-07-14
End Date: 2022-09-30
Contract Duration: 4,461 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: STANDUP AND OPERATE TASK ORDER 1. THIS STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) DEFINES THE TASKS THE CONTRACTOR WILL EXECUTE TO DESIGN, DEVELOP, AND ESTABLISH THE INITIAL CAPABILITY OF THE RAPID RESPONSE SPACE WORKS (RRSW). THIS INCLUDES ALL PLANNING AND DESIGN EFFORTS REQUIRED TO CREATE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO OPERATE THE RRSW AND EXECUTE END-TO-END MISSIONS FROM RECEIPT OF AN ENABLER OR OPERATIONAL NEED THROUGH DELIVERY OF CAPABILITY. THIS INCLUDES THE INITIAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT END-TO-END MISSION COORDINATION, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, PROCUREMENT, ASSEMBLY, INTEGRATION, TEST, ON-ORBIT SUPPORT, LAUNCH SUPPORT, AND GROUND SYSTEM SUPPORT.
Place of Performance
Location: KIRTLAND AFB, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87117
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $42.6 million to AXIENT LLC for work described as: STANDUP AND OPERATE TASK ORDER 1. THIS STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) DEFINES THE TASKS THE CONTRACTOR WILL EXECUTE TO DESIGN, DEVELOP, AND ESTABLISH THE INITIAL CAPABILITY OF THE RAPID RESPONSE SPACE WORKS (RRSW). THIS INCLUDES ALL PLANNING AND DESIGN EFFORTS REQUIRED TO CREATE THE I… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on designing, developing, and establishing initial capabilities for Rapid Response Space Works (RRSW). 2. Services encompass planning, infrastructure design, mission coordination, and end-to-end mission execution support. 3. Includes support for design, development, procurement, integration, testing, on-orbit, launch, and ground systems. 4. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, indicating potential for cost overruns. 5. Duration of the contract is over 12 years, suggesting a long-term need. 6. Awarded under full and open competition, implying a robust bidding process.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $42.6 million over approximately 12 years for establishing a new space works capability appears reasonable given the scope. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type introduces inherent risk for cost control. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D infrastructure development contracts would be necessary for a more precise value assessment. The absence of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to gauge efficiency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This typically leads to a more competitive pricing environment and a wider selection of potential contractors. The number of bidders (7) indicates a healthy level of interest and competition for this specialized R&D service.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and its mission objectives requiring rapid response space capabilities. Services delivered will establish critical infrastructure for end-to-end space mission support. Geographic impact is likely centered around NASA facilities involved in RRSW operations, with potential national implications for space readiness. Workforce implications include specialized engineering, technical, and program management roles.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- Long contract duration (over 12 years) requires sustained oversight to ensure continued value and relevance.
- Scope of work is broad, encompassing many complex phases of space system development and operations, increasing management complexity.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive selection process.
- Multiple bidders (7) suggest a robust market response and potential for innovation.
- Contract aims to establish a critical capability for national space operations.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for space R&D is highly specialized, involving a limited number of contractors with the requisite expertise and security clearances. NASA's spending in this area supports its strategic goals for space exploration, national security, and technological advancement. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in other large-scale government R&D initiatives for advanced technology development.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific contract. While the prime contractor is AXIENT LLC, the extent of small business subcontracting is not detailed here. Larger prime contractors often engage small businesses for specialized components or services, but without specific subcontracting plans or reporting, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract would typically involve rigorous monitoring of costs, performance, and adherence to the Statement of Work by NASA contracting officers and technical representatives. Accountability measures would be tied to contract milestones and deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though detailed operational oversight specifics are not provided. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to potential fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Space Systems Development
- Rapid Response Capabilities
- Advanced Technology Development
- National Security Space Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
- Long contract duration may lead to technological obsolescence or requirement changes.
- Complexity of establishing end-to-end space works capability.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical infrastructure development.
Tags
research-and-development, space-technology, nasa, national-aeronautics-and-space-administration, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, large-contract, new-mexico, aerospace, defense-adjacent
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $42.6 million to AXIENT LLC. STANDUP AND OPERATE TASK ORDER 1. THIS STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) DEFINES THE TASKS THE CONTRACTOR WILL EXECUTE TO DESIGN, DEVELOP, AND ESTABLISH THE INITIAL CAPABILITY OF THE RAPID RESPONSE SPACE WORKS (RRSW). THIS INCLUDES ALL PLANNING AND DESIGN EFFORTS REQUIRED TO CREATE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO OPERATE THE RRSW AND EXECUTE END-TO-END MISSIONS FROM RECEIPT OF AN ENABLER OR OPERATIONAL NEED THROUGH DELIVERY OF CAPABILITY. THIS INCLUDES THE INITIAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT END-TO-END MISSION COO
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AXIENT 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 $42.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-07-14. End: 2022-09-30.
What is the track record of AXIENT LLC in performing similar large-scale space R&D contracts for NASA or other federal agencies?
AXIENT LLC has a history of performing various technical services for the U.S. government, including work related to aerospace and defense. While specific details on their track record with large-scale, end-to-end space R&D infrastructure development contracts of this magnitude are not fully elaborated in the provided data, their involvement suggests a level of established capability. Further investigation into their past performance ratings, contract history with NASA (beyond this award), and specific project successes or challenges would be necessary to fully assess their suitability and reliability for the RRSW initiative. Reviewing contract close-out reports and performance evaluations from previous, comparable contracts would offer deeper insights into their project management, technical execution, and cost control capabilities.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure compare to other contract types for similar R&D infrastructure projects, and what are the implications for cost control?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is often used for research and development efforts where the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset, or where innovation and exploration are key objectives. It allows the contractor to incur costs deemed reasonable and allocable, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. Compared to fixed-price contracts, CPFF offers greater flexibility for the contractor to adapt to unforeseen technical challenges, but it places a higher burden on the government to meticulously monitor and control costs to prevent overruns. For infrastructure projects, other types like Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) or Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) might offer better cost predictability or incentivize performance. The primary implication of CPFF for this RRSW contract is the inherent risk of costs exceeding initial estimates, necessitating robust government oversight to ensure the fixed fee remains a fair profit on efficiently managed expenses.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of the RRSW capability development under this contract?
The provided data does not explicitly detail the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) established for the Rapid Response Space Works (RRSW) capability development under this contract. Typically, for such R&D and infrastructure projects, KPIs would focus on aspects like the timely completion of design and development phases, successful integration of system components, achievement of specified technical performance thresholds (e.g., processing speed, data accuracy, system reliability), adherence to budget targets within the CPFF structure, and the operational readiness of the RRSW infrastructure. NASA's contract management would involve defining these metrics in the Statement of Work (SOW) or associated performance work statements to ensure the contractor meets the program's objectives. Without these specific KPIs, a comprehensive assessment of performance effectiveness is limited.
How does the $42.6 million total award value compare to historical spending on similar NASA space R&D infrastructure initiatives?
The total award value of $42.6 million for the RRSW Task Order 1 represents a significant investment in establishing a new space capability. To benchmark this effectively, it would be necessary to compare it against historical spending on similar NASA initiatives focused on developing advanced space systems, ground support infrastructure, or rapid response capabilities. For instance, comparing it to the development costs of previous satellite ground control systems, mission operations centers, or specialized research facilities could provide context. Given the specialized nature of RRSW, direct comparisons might be challenging, but analyzing the scale and complexity of past projects within NASA's R&D portfolio would help determine if this award is within the expected range for establishing such a critical, long-term operational capability.
What are the potential risks associated with the long duration (over 12 years) of this contract and the evolving nature of space technology?
The extended duration of this contract, spanning from July 2010 to September 2022 (approximately 12 years), presents several potential risks, particularly given the rapid pace of technological advancement in the space sector. One primary risk is technological obsolescence; the systems and infrastructure designed and developed early in the contract may become outdated before the contract's completion or shortly thereafter. Another risk is scope creep or requirement changes; as space technology evolves and mission needs shift, the original SOW might require significant modifications, potentially impacting cost and schedule. Furthermore, maintaining contractor focus and performance over such a long period requires sustained oversight. There's also a risk that the initial cost estimates and fixed fee may not adequately account for unforeseen technological hurdles or market changes that emerge over more than a decade.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2231 CRYSTAL DR STE 711, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $43,058,105
Exercised Options: $43,058,105
Current Obligation: $42,615,716
Actual Outlays: $1,190,379
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 27
Total Subaward Amount: $26,427,995
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNA10DF16B
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-07-14
Current End Date: 2022-09-30
Potential End Date: 2022-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-17
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