NASA's $191M R&D contract with AXIENT LLC for communications development shows long-term engagement
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $191,485,359 ($191.5M)
Contractor: Axient LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2013-09-16
End Date: 2022-09-30
Contract Duration: 3,301 days
Daily Burn Rate: $58.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF ORS RAPID RESPONSE BRANCH. COMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE RRSW IDIQ CONTRACT. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL FURNISH ALL LABOR, SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, TRAVEL, OTHER DIRECT COSTS, AND FEES NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN THE ATTACHED TASK ORDER.
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22202
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $191.5 million to AXIENT LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF ORS RAPID RESPONSE BRANCH. COMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE RRSW IDIQ CONTRACT. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL FURNISH ALL LABOR, SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, TRAVEL, OTHER DIRECT COSTS, AND FEES NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN THE ATTACHED TASK ORDER. Key points: 1. Contract awarded under a broad IDIQ, suggesting a strategic, long-term partnership for ongoing R&D needs. 2. The significant duration of the contract (over 9 years) indicates consistent demand for the contractor's specialized services. 3. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is a critical area for NASA's mission advancement. 4. The contract's value places it among substantial investments in specialized scientific and technical support. 5. AXIENT LLC's sustained involvement points to a strong performance record and alignment with NASA's evolving requirements. 6. The use of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure allows for flexibility in R&D projects with uncertain costs.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award of $191.5 million over nearly a decade suggests a consistent need for AXIENT LLC's services. While direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the specific deliverables, the sustained funding indicates perceived value by NASA. The CPFF structure is common for R&D where scope can evolve, but it requires careful oversight to manage costs effectively. Benchmarking this against other R&D contracts of similar scope and duration would provide a clearer picture of value for money.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders likely had the opportunity to compete. The specific task order was likely placed against a broader Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, which itself would have undergone a competitive process. The fact that AXIENT LLC was selected suggests they offered the best value proposition among the eligible bidders for these specific R&D requirements.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers, as it encourages a wider range of qualified contractors to submit proposals.
Public Impact
This contract directly supports NASA's research and development initiatives, potentially leading to advancements in space exploration, communication technologies, and scientific understanding. The primary beneficiaries are NASA's research programs and the scientific community that relies on NASA's technological progress. The services delivered likely involve complex engineering, scientific analysis, and communication system development crucial for mission success. The geographic impact is primarily centered around NASA facilities and research centers, with potential downstream effects on the aerospace and technology sectors nationwide.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently, especially in long-term R&D projects.
- The long duration of the contract (over 9 years) might indicate a lack of competitive re-evaluation or potential for vendor lock-in if not actively managed.
- Specific details on performance metrics and deliverables are not provided, making it difficult to assess the contractor's effectiveness beyond sustained funding.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- AXIENT LLC has maintained this contract for an extended period, implying consistent performance and satisfaction with their services.
- The contract supports critical Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, aligning with national strategic interests.
- The use of an IDIQ contract vehicle allows for flexibility and responsiveness to evolving NASA needs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for government innovation, particularly for agencies like NASA that push the boundaries of technology and exploration. The market for such specialized R&D services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in areas like advanced communications, systems engineering, and scientific analysis. NASA's spending in this category is substantial, reflecting its commitment to maintaining a technological edge and achieving ambitious mission objectives.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. However, as a large prime contractor, AXIENT LLC may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services or components, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem. The extent of this subcontracting is not detailed in the provided information.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, NASA's contracting officers and technical representatives would be responsible for monitoring costs, ensuring adherence to the scope of work, and verifying the quality of deliverables. The Inspector General's office for NASA would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports are typically internal.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Communications Technology Development
- Aerospace Engineering Services
- IDIQ Contract Vehicles
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contracts
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may warrant review for continued necessity and competition.
- CPFF contract type requires diligent cost oversight to prevent overruns.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data hinders detailed assessment.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, communications-development, axient-llc, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, virginia, large-business, science-and-technology, aerospace
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $191.5 million to AXIENT LLC. IGF::OT::IGF ORS RAPID RESPONSE BRANCH. COMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE RRSW IDIQ CONTRACT. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL FURNISH ALL LABOR, SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, TRAVEL, OTHER DIRECT COSTS, AND FEES NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN THE ATTACHED TASK ORDER.
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 $191.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-09-16. End: 2022-09-30.
What specific advancements or technologies has AXIENT LLC delivered under this contract that have significantly benefited NASA's mission?
The provided data does not detail the specific deliverables or technological advancements made under this contract. While the contract's substantial value and long duration suggest significant contributions to NASA's research and development in communications, physical, engineering, and life sciences, the exact nature of these advancements remains unspecified. To assess the impact, a review of task order details, technical reports, and NASA program outcomes would be necessary. These could range from improvements in deep space communication systems to novel sensor technologies or advanced data processing techniques crucial for mission operations and scientific discovery.
How does the per-unit cost or cost-effectiveness of AXIENT LLC's services compare to similar R&D contracts awarded by NASA or other federal agencies?
Benchmarking the cost-effectiveness of this $191.5 million contract is challenging without detailed per-unit cost data or specific task order breakdowns. The contract utilizes a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, which is common for R&D where costs can be variable. To perform a robust comparison, one would need to analyze the specific services rendered, the complexity of the R&D, the labor rates, and the overhead applied, and then compare these against similar contracts. Factors such as the novelty of the research, the required expertise, and the competitive landscape for those specific R&D services would influence pricing. Without such granular data, a direct cost-effectiveness comparison remains speculative.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used by NASA to evaluate AXIENT LLC's performance under this contract, and how has the contractor performed against them?
The provided summary data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or performance evaluation metrics for AXIENT LLC under this contract. NASA typically establishes performance standards and evaluation criteria within individual task orders or the overarching IDIQ contract. These often include metrics related to technical quality, timeliness of delivery, cost control, and adherence to requirements. Given the contract's long duration and continued funding, it can be inferred that performance has generally met NASA's expectations. However, a definitive assessment would require access to NASA's internal performance reports and contractor feedback.
What is the historical spending trend for this specific contract and for similar R&D services procured by NASA over the past decade?
This contract, with a total award of $191.5 million, spans from September 16, 2013, to September 30, 2022, a period of approximately 9 years and 1 month. The spending would have been distributed across this duration, likely increasing as specific research projects progressed. Historical spending for similar R&D services by NASA has generally been robust, reflecting the agency's continuous need for innovation in areas like space exploration, aeronautics, and technology development. While specific year-over-year spending for this contract isn't detailed, NASA's overall R&D budget provides context for the significance of such awards within its strategic priorities.
Are there any identified risks or concerns associated with AXIENT LLC's track record or the nature of the R&D work performed under this contract?
The provided data does not highlight specific risks or concerns directly tied to AXIENT LLC's track record for this contract. However, general risks associated with long-term Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) R&D contracts include potential for cost overruns if not managed tightly, scope creep, and challenges in precisely defining and measuring R&D outcomes. The nature of R&D itself carries inherent risks, such as the possibility of research not yielding the expected results or encountering unforeseen technical hurdles. NASA's oversight mechanisms, including contract management and potentially the Inspector General's office, are in place to mitigate such risks.
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
Solicitation ID: NNA09308164R
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: $192,009,740
Exercised Options: $192,009,740
Current Obligation: $191,485,359
Actual Outlays: $90,967,461
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 64
Total Subaward Amount: $43,494,038
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: 2013-09-16
Current End Date: 2022-09-30
Potential End Date: 2022-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-09-30
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