NASA's $239M Aerospace Testing Contract Awarded to Amentum Technology for Facilities Operations
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $239,409,105 ($239.4M)
Contractor: Amentum Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2016-02-02
End Date: 2022-08-01
Contract Duration: 2,372 days
Daily Burn Rate: $100.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF AEROSPACE TESTING AND FACILITIES OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (ATOM-4) SERVICES (ARC WIND TUNNEL DIVISION AND THERMO-PHYSICS FACILITIES) CONTRACT. WORK TO BE PERFORMED INCLUDES TESTING AND FACILITY OPERATION, DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, AND OPERATION OF SUPPORT FACILITIES, PERFORMANCE OF MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS, AND ADMINISTRATION.
Place of Performance
Location: MOFFETT FIELD, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $239.4 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF AEROSPACE TESTING AND FACILITIES OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (ATOM-4) SERVICES (ARC WIND TUNNEL DIVISION AND THERMO-PHYSICS FACILITIES) CONTRACT. WORK TO BE PERFORMED INCLUDES TESTING AND FACILITY OPERATION, DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, AND OPERATION OF SUPPORT FACILITIES, … Key points: 1. Contract provides essential support for aerospace testing and facility operations, including maintenance and development projects. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. Amentum Technology, Inc. secured this definitive contract, indicating a significant role in supporting NASA's infrastructure. 4. The contract duration spans over six years, highlighting the long-term nature of the services required. 5. The services encompass a broad range of facility support, from routine maintenance to complex development projects.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's value of approximately $239 million over six years suggests a substantial investment in critical aerospace infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar large-scale facilities operations and maintenance contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure implies that while Amentum is reimbursed for its costs, a predetermined fee is applied, which can offer some cost control for the government. Further analysis would require comparing the specific services and performance metrics to industry standards and other NASA contracts of a similar nature to fully assess value for money.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of two bidders suggests a competitive environment, though the exact number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria would provide a clearer picture of the competition's intensity. A competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to offer their best pricing and technical solutions, potentially driving down costs and improving service quality.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the broader aerospace industry, which rely on these specialized testing facilities. Services delivered include crucial operations, maintenance, and development for wind tunnels and thermo-physics facilities. The geographic impact is centered around NASA's facilities in California, supporting regional aerospace innovation. The contract supports a workforce skilled in facility operations, maintenance, and specialized testing environments.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in cost-plus contracts if not rigorously managed.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical facility operations could pose a risk if performance falters.
- The long duration of the contract may reduce flexibility to adapt to evolving technological needs.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive selection process.
- The contract supports essential national aerospace research and development capabilities.
- Amentum Technology's role suggests established expertise in managing complex technical facilities.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, a critical component of the broader aerospace and defense industry. The market for specialized testing and facility operations is often characterized by a limited number of highly qualified contractors due to the unique technical requirements and infrastructure involved. NASA's spending in this area is vital for maintaining its research capabilities and supporting the development of advanced aerospace technologies. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within other government agencies and large aerospace corporations that operate similar testing facilities.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract included small business set-asides. Given the specialized nature and scale of aerospace testing facilities, it is common for prime contracts to be awarded to large businesses. However, the prime contractor, Amentum Technology, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specific services, contributing to the small business ecosystem. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be necessary to assess the full impact on small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NASA contracting officers and technical representatives are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and managing payments. 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
- Aerospace Facility Operations and Maintenance
- Government Facilities Support Services
- Defense Testing and Evaluation Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee contract type may offer less cost certainty than fixed-price options.
- Long contract duration could lead to potential obsolescence or need for adaptation.
- Dependence on specialized facilities introduces inherent operational and safety risks.
Tags
nasa, aerospace, facilities-support-services, operations-and-maintenance, definitive-contract, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, california, large-business, research-and-development, national-aeronautics-and-space-administration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $239.4 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF AEROSPACE TESTING AND FACILITIES OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (ATOM-4) SERVICES (ARC WIND TUNNEL DIVISION AND THERMO-PHYSICS FACILITIES) CONTRACT. WORK TO BE PERFORMED INCLUDES TESTING AND FACILITY OPERATION, DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, AND OPERATION OF SUPPORT FACILITIES, PERFORMANCE OF MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS, AND ADMINISTRATION.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, 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 $239.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2016-02-02. End: 2022-08-01.
What is Amentum Technology, Inc.'s track record with NASA and similar government contracts?
Amentum Technology, Inc. has a significant history of performing complex technical services for government agencies, including NASA. The company has been involved in various large-scale contracts related to facility operations, maintenance, engineering, and research support. Prior to its current structure, its predecessor companies also held substantial government contracts. A review of publicly available contract data indicates a pattern of securing and successfully executing contracts that require specialized technical expertise and robust project management. Specific performance metrics and past issues, if any, would require a deeper dive into NASA's contract performance assessment reporting system (CPARS) and any relevant Inspector General reports. However, their continued success in winning competitive bids suggests a generally positive performance history.
How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) structure compare to other contract types for similar services?
The Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract type is often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset or involves a high degree of uncertainty, such as in research and development or complex facility operations. In a CPFF contract, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred and receives a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure provides flexibility for the government to adapt to changing requirements. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF offers less cost certainty for the government but can be more appropriate for services where cost estimation is difficult. Compared to Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF) contracts, CPFF does not include specific incentives for cost savings or performance targets, potentially offering less motivation for the contractor to control costs beyond what is necessary to meet the fee requirements.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Amentum's performance under this contract?
While specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not publicly detailed, typical KPIs for facilities support and operations contracts include metrics related to facility uptime and availability, response times for maintenance and repairs, safety incident rates, energy efficiency, and adherence to project schedules for development tasks. For testing facilities, KPIs would also likely encompass the accuracy and reliability of test results, turnaround times for testing requests, and the successful completion of specialized testing protocols. NASA contracting officers and technical monitors would regularly assess Amentum's performance against these or similar metrics, often documented in Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) reports, which inform future contracting decisions.
What is the historical spending trend for aerospace testing and facility operations at NASA?
NASA's historical spending on aerospace testing and facility operations has been substantial and consistent, reflecting the agency's core mission. Over the past decade, NASA has allocated significant portions of its budget towards maintaining and upgrading its unique testing infrastructure, including wind tunnels, environmental chambers, and propulsion test stands. This spending is crucial for supporting aeronautics research, space exploration vehicle development, and technology maturation. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on program priorities and budget allocations, the overall trend indicates a sustained investment in these capabilities. Contracts like the ATOM-4 serve as a prime example of the ongoing need for expert support in operating and maintaining these critical assets, ensuring NASA remains at the forefront of aerospace innovation.
Are there any known risks associated with the specific types of facilities being operated (wind tunnels, thermo-physics)?
Operating specialized facilities like wind tunnels and thermo-physics labs presents unique risks. Wind tunnels involve high-speed airflows, potentially leading to mechanical failures, structural integrity issues, or safety hazards if not meticulously maintained and operated. Thermo-physics facilities often deal with extreme temperatures, pressures, or hazardous materials, requiring stringent safety protocols and specialized handling procedures to prevent accidents or environmental contamination. Furthermore, the aging infrastructure of some of these facilities can increase the risk of equipment malfunction and necessitate significant investment in upgrades and repairs. Ensuring the continuous availability and reliability of these complex systems is paramount for NASA's research objectives, and any operational failure can lead to costly delays and setbacks.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services
Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNA14443194R
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Pae-Parsons Global Logistics Services, LLC
Address: 604 WILLIAM NORTHERN BLVD., TULLAHOMA, TN, 37388
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $293,002,801
Exercised Options: $290,396,947
Current Obligation: $239,409,105
Actual Outlays: $120,390,679
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2016-02-02
Current End Date: 2022-08-01
Potential End Date: 2022-08-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-24
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