NASA's $16.75M Metrology Services Contract Awarded to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,751,399 ($16.8M)
Contractor: KBR Wyle Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2008-08-13
End Date: 2015-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,604 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 12
Pricing Type: OTHER (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE NONE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)
Sector: Other
Official Description: WORK AREA - 8.0 METROLOGY
Place of Performance
Location: CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA County, OHIO, 44135
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $16.8 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: WORK AREA - 8.0 METROLOGY Key points: 1. Contract provides essential metrology support services, crucial for maintaining calibration and accuracy of scientific and engineering equipment. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of approximately 7 years indicates a long-term need for these specialized services. 4. The work area is focused on metrology, a niche but vital scientific discipline. 5. The contract value of $16.75 million over its term represents a significant investment in maintaining critical infrastructure. 6. The contractor, KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC, has experience in providing similar support services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $16.75 million over approximately 7 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific benchmarks for metrology services at NASA facilities, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the competitive award process implies that pricing was scrutinized against other potential bidders. The services provided are essential for scientific accuracy and operational integrity, indicating a necessary expenditure.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered after an initial exclusion period. The presence of 12 bids suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized service. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down costs and ensured the government received competitive pricing for essential metrology services.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's scientific and engineering missions by ensuring the accuracy and reliability of measurement instruments. Supports critical research and development activities across various NASA programs. The services are geographically focused on NASA facilities, likely within Ohio given the 'ST' and 'SN' codes. Requires skilled personnel in metrology, potentially impacting the workforce in specialized scientific support roles.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if scope creep occurs without adequate oversight.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a prolonged period could lead to complacency or reduced innovation.
- Ensuring consistent quality of metrology services across all NASA facilities involved.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
- Long contract duration suggests a stable and reliable provider for essential services.
- The specialized nature of metrology services implies a high degree of technical expertise from the contractor.
Sector Analysis
Metrology services are a critical component of scientific research, engineering, and manufacturing, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of measurements. This sector is vital for industries requiring high precision, such as aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing. While not a massive standalone market, metrology support is an indispensable function within larger organizations like NASA, underpinning their operational integrity and research outcomes. Comparable spending would be found in other large federal agencies with extensive research and development facilities.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. It was awarded under full and open competition. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is likely minimal. However, KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC, as a large prime contractor, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill parts of the contract requirements, contributing indirectly to the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within NASA responsible for facilities support services. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, with defined metrics and deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Facilities Support Contracts
- Metrology and Calibration Services
- Scientific Equipment Maintenance
- Aerospace Research and Development Support
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may limit flexibility for technological upgrades.
- Potential for price increases over the contract term.
- Ensuring consistent quality of specialized metrology services.
Tags
nasa, facilities-support-services, metrology, kbr-wyle-services-llc, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, scientific-services, ohio, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $16.8 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. WORK AREA - 8.0 METROLOGY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is KBR WYLE SERVICES, 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 $16.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-08-13. End: 2015-09-30.
What is the historical spending trend for metrology services at NASA?
Analyzing historical spending on metrology services at NASA requires access to detailed contract databases over multiple fiscal years. Without specific historical data for this exact contract or category, it's difficult to provide a precise trend. However, federal spending on scientific support services, including metrology, generally fluctuates based on agency budgets, research priorities, and the lifecycle of major projects. Given the essential nature of metrology for NASA's core missions, consistent or gradually increasing investment can be expected, barring significant budget reductions or shifts in strategic focus. The $16.75 million awarded over approximately seven years suggests an average annual spend of roughly $2.4 million, which can be compared against prior or subsequent contract awards for similar services to identify trends.
How does the cost per unit for metrology services under this contract compare to industry benchmarks?
Determining a precise 'cost per unit' for metrology services is complex due to the varied nature of the tasks involved, ranging from calibration of basic tools to highly specialized scientific instruments. This contract's data does not provide a specific unit cost metric. To benchmark, one would need to identify comparable metrology tasks performed under similar federal contracts or within the private sector, factoring in labor rates, equipment, and overhead. Given that this contract was competitively awarded, the pricing is presumed to be fair market value. However, without granular data on the specific services rendered and their associated costs, a direct comparison to industry benchmarks is not feasible from the information provided.
What is the track record of KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC in providing similar metrology or facilities support services to the government?
KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC has a significant track record in providing a wide range of services to government agencies, including NASA. Their experience often encompasses complex engineering, scientific, and technical support, which frequently includes metrology and calibration services as part of broader facilities or mission support contracts. Publicly available contract data often shows KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC as a prime contractor on numerous awards across various agencies. A detailed review of their past performance evaluations and contract history would reveal their specific capabilities and success rates in delivering metrology-related services, demonstrating their suitability for this NASA contract.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this metrology services contract?
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a metrology services contract typically focus on accuracy, timeliness, and reliability. For this NASA contract, KPIs would likely include metrics such as the percentage of instruments calibrated within the required timeframe, the accuracy rate of calibrations performed (e.g., deviation from standards), the number of instruments requiring recalibration due to initial errors, and response times for urgent calibration requests. Customer satisfaction surveys from NASA personnel utilizing the metrology services would also serve as a crucial KPI. Adherence to relevant industry standards (e.g., ISO 17025) and successful completion of audits would also be critical performance measures.
What is the potential risk associated with the long duration of this contract?
The long duration of this contract (approximately 7 years) presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of price escalation over time, especially if the contract includes provisions for annual adjustments that outpace inflation or technological advancements. Secondly, a prolonged contract term might reduce the incentive for the contractor to innovate or improve efficiency, as they may feel secure in their position. Thirdly, changes in NASA's technological needs or strategic direction over seven years could render the contracted services less relevant or require costly modifications. Finally, there's the risk of contractor performance degradation over time, which might be harder to address effectively within a long-term commitment compared to shorter contract cycles.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 12
Pricing Type: OTHER (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE NONE OF THE ABOVE APPLY) (3)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7701 GREENBELT RD STE 400, GREENBELT, MD, 20770
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,754,359
Exercised Options: $16,754,359
Current Obligation: $16,751,399
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNC05CB17C
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-08-13
Current End Date: 2015-09-30
Potential End Date: 2015-10-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-02-09
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