NASA awards $43.8M R&D contract to Axient LLC for manufacturing task order
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $43,861,702 ($43.9M)
Contractor: Axient LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2014-08-20
End Date: 2022-06-30
Contract Duration: 2,871 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF OPEN MANUFACTURING TASK ORDER THE CONTRACTOR SHALL FURNISH ALL LABOR, SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, TRAVEL, OTHER DIRECT COSTS, AND FEES NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN THE ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK. SEE NEXT PAGE.
Place of Performance
Location: KIRTLAND AFB, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87117
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $43.9 million to AXIENT LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF OPEN MANUFACTURING TASK ORDER THE CONTRACTOR SHALL FURNISH ALL LABOR, SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, TRAVEL, OTHER DIRECT COSTS, AND FEES NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN THE ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK. SEE NEXT PAGE. Key points: 1. Contract awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control but also carries inherent risk. 3. The contract duration is substantial, spanning over 2800 days, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541712 points to research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 5. The contract was issued as a delivery order against a larger contract vehicle. 6. The contractor, Axient LLC, is a key player in the aerospace and defense sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount of $43.8 million over nearly 8 years represents a significant investment. Benchmarking this specific task order's value is challenging without more granular data on the services rendered and comparable task orders. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type suggests that the government pays for all allowable costs plus a fixed fee, which can lead to higher overall costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed carefully. The absence of detailed performance metrics makes a definitive value assessment difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This typically suggests a robust competitive environment. However, the data does not specify the number of bids received, which is crucial for understanding the true level of competition. A high number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions, maximizing the value of federal dollars.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA's research and development initiatives, particularly in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The contract supports the development and execution of manufacturing task orders, contributing to advancements in scientific and technological capabilities. The geographic impact is primarily centered around NASA's operations, with potential downstream effects on the New Mexico region where the contractor is located. The contract likely supports a workforce of scientists, engineers, and technical personnel involved in research and development activities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- The long contract duration may present challenges in adapting to evolving technological needs.
- Limited public information on specific deliverables makes it difficult to assess performance outcomes.
- The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger, potentially less scrutinized, contract vehicle.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
- The contractor, Axient LLC, is likely experienced in R&D and manufacturing support.
- The contract supports critical NASA research and development objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The R&D sector is characterized by innovation and the pursuit of new knowledge and technologies. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and driving economic growth. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other NASA R&D contracts and those from similar agencies like the Department of Defense or the National Science Foundation.
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 small business set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Axient LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, depending on their own subcontracting plans and the nature of the work required.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NASA's contracting officer and program management. As a delivery order under a larger contract, oversight might be integrated into the existing framework of that parent contract. Transparency is moderate, with basic contract award details available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Programs
- Aerospace Manufacturing Support
- Advanced Technology Development Contracts
- Federal R&D Spending
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost risk for the government.
- Long contract duration may lead to scope creep or outdated technology.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in public data hinders outcome assessment.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, axient-llc, cost-plus-fixed-fee, delivery-order, full-and-open-competition, physical-engineering-life-sciences, new-mexico, aerospace, manufacturing-support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $43.9 million to AXIENT LLC. IGF::OT::IGF OPEN MANUFACTURING TASK ORDER THE CONTRACTOR SHALL FURNISH ALL LABOR, SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, TRAVEL, OTHER DIRECT COSTS, AND FEES NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN THE ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK. SEE NEXT PAGE.
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 $43.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-08-20. End: 2022-06-30.
What is Axient LLC's track record with NASA and other federal agencies, particularly on R&D and manufacturing support contracts?
Axient LLC has a significant history of contracting with NASA and other federal agencies, primarily in areas related to aerospace engineering, research and development, and mission support. Their portfolio often includes work on complex systems, advanced manufacturing, and scientific research. Analyzing their past performance on similar Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts would be crucial to understanding their ability to manage costs effectively and deliver on technical objectives. A review of contract databases and agency performance reports would reveal their success rates, any past performance issues, and their overall reputation within the federal contracting landscape. Their experience in New Mexico, where they are located, may also indicate a strong regional presence and established relationships with relevant research institutions or facilities.
How does the $43.8 million award compare to similar R&D task orders issued by NASA or other agencies for comparable services?
Comparing this $43.8 million task order requires identifying similar R&D contracts within the physical, engineering, and life sciences domain, particularly those involving manufacturing support. Factors such as contract duration (nearly 8 years), contract type (CPFF), and the specific technical scope are critical for a meaningful comparison. Without access to detailed statements of work and performance metrics for other contracts, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, R&D contracts of this magnitude and duration are common within agencies like NASA, DoD, and DOE, especially for projects requiring extensive research, prototyping, and testing. The CPFF structure suggests a higher degree of uncertainty or complexity in the scope, which typically commands higher overall costs than fixed-price arrangements.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to assess the success of this contract, and what has been Axient LLC's performance against them?
Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this task order are not publicly detailed in the provided data. Typically, for R&D and manufacturing support contracts, KPIs would include metrics related to technical milestones achieved, adherence to project timelines, quality of deliverables (e.g., prototypes, research findings, process improvements), cost control within the fixed fee, and successful integration of developed technologies. Assessing Axient LLC's performance would require access to NASA's internal performance evaluations, contractor performance assessment reporting (CPAR) data, and potentially progress reports submitted by the contractor. Without this information, it is challenging to definitively gauge the contractor's success in meeting the contract's objectives.
What is the historical spending trend for similar R&D manufacturing task orders at NASA over the past five years?
Analyzing historical spending trends for similar R&D manufacturing task orders at NASA requires accessing comprehensive federal procurement data. Over the past five years, NASA's R&D spending has generally remained robust, driven by its ambitious exploration, science, and aeronautics missions. Spending on advanced manufacturing and related R&D is a critical component of these efforts. Trends would likely show fluctuations based on specific program needs and budget allocations. Factors such as increased focus on space exploration technologies, sustainable aviation, and advanced materials could influence spending patterns. A detailed analysis would involve querying databases like USAspending.gov or FPDS for contracts with similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541712) and contract types awarded by NASA.
What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract of this duration for R&D services?
The primary risks associated with a CPFF contract of this duration for R&D services include potential cost overruns beyond the initial estimates, contractor inefficiency if not properly incentivized, and scope creep. For R&D, the inherent uncertainty means that costs can escalate significantly as challenges arise. The fixed fee provides a profit incentive, but the government bears the risk of allowable cost increases. Over a long duration, maintaining effective oversight and ensuring the contractor remains focused on efficient execution becomes more challenging. Furthermore, the evolving nature of R&D means that the initial scope may become outdated, requiring careful management to avoid unnecessary cost increases due to changes.
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
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: $74,090,347
Exercised Options: $74,090,347
Current Obligation: $43,861,702
Actual Outlays: $8,333,921
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 28
Total Subaward Amount: $206,526,030
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: 2014-08-20
Current End Date: 2022-06-30
Potential End Date: 2022-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-24
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