NASA awards $27.2M contract for engineering services to ASRC Research and Technology Solutions LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,195,382 ($27.2M)
Contractor: Asrc Research and Technology Solutions LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2011-12-20
End Date: 2013-12-31
Contract Duration: 742 days
Daily Burn Rate: $36.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: ENGINEERING, DESGIN, AND FABRICATION SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: MOFFETT FIELD, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $27.2 million to ASRC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: ENGINEERING, DESGIN, AND FABRICATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition. 2. The contract value is moderate, but the lack of competition is a concern. 3. Services are categorized under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330). 4. The contract was not competed, indicating potential limitations in market research or justification.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $27.2M is for engineering, design, and fabrication services. Without comparable contract data or a competitive bidding process, assessing the pricing's value relative to similar services is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, meaning it was awarded directly to ASRC Research and Technology Solutions LLC. This approach limits price discovery and may not yield the best value for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may not have received the best possible price due to the sole-source award. Limited transparency into the justification for not competing the contract. Potential for reduced innovation if alternative solutions were not explored.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Sole-source award
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract type can provide cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Engineering Services, a broad sector encompassing design, development, and testing. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on project complexity and agency needs. Benchmarks are difficult without specific service details.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business, as the 'sb' field is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was considered or subcontracted.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'st' field indicates 'CA' (California), suggesting the contract may have state-level oversight or reporting requirements. However, specific oversight mechanisms for this sole-source award are not detailed in the provided data.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and potential cost savings.
- Lack of transparency regarding the justification for non-competition.
- Potential for higher costs to taxpayers due to absence of competitive bidding.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
engineering-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $27.2 million to ASRC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS LLC. ENGINEERING, DESGIN, AND FABRICATION SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ASRC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS 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 $27.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-12-20. End: 2013-12-31.
What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis instead of competing it?
The provided data does not specify the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, agencies must demonstrate that only one responsible source can provide the required services or that exceptional circumstances necessitate a non-competitive procurement. This information would usually be found in the contract's justification and approval (J&A) document.
How does the $27.2M contract value compare to similar engineering services contracts awarded by NASA or other agencies?
Without access to a broader database of comparable contracts, it is challenging to benchmark this $27.2M award. Factors like the specific engineering disciplines, project duration, and required expertise significantly influence pricing. A competitive process would typically establish a clearer market-based price.
What is the potential risk to NASA's mission objectives if ASRC Research and Technology Solutions LLC fails to deliver on this contract?
The risk to mission objectives depends heavily on the criticality of the engineering, design, and fabrication services to NASA's programs. As this is a sole-source award, transitioning to an alternative provider in case of failure could be time-consuming and costly, potentially causing delays and impacting program timelines.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (UEI: 076637073)
Address: 6303 IVY LANE STE 130, GREENBELT, MD, 20770
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $38,000,000
Exercised Options: $38,000,000
Current Obligation: $27,195,382
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-12-20
Current End Date: 2013-12-31
Potential End Date: 2013-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-09-08
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