NASA's $59M Engineering Labor Contract Awarded to VANTAGE PARTNERS LLC Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $58,949,613 ($58.9M)
Contractor: Vantage Partners LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2013-10-01
End Date: 2017-05-31
Contract Duration: 1,338 days
Daily Burn Rate: $44.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF GESS-3 ENGINEERING LABOR
Place of Performance
Location: CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA County, OHIO, 44135
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $58.9 million to VANTAGE PARTNERS LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF GESS-3 ENGINEERING LABOR Key points: 1. Contract Value: $58.95 million over 4.5 years. 2. Competition: Awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 3. Risk: Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can pose cost overrun risks. 4. Sector: Primarily R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to higher costs than fixed-price contracts if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D labor contracts is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process. However, the CPFF structure may not have driven the most cost-effective outcome.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for R&D services. The CPFF structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure value for money and prevent cost overruns.
Public Impact
Supports critical research and development for NASA. Potential for technological advancements and innovation. Contract duration of over 4 years indicates a significant, ongoing need. Job creation within the engineering and R&D sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Potential for cost overruns without strict oversight
- Limited transparency on specific labor rates
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Supports NASA's mission-critical R&D
- Long-term engagement suggests sustained need
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement but can be complex to benchmark due to the specialized nature of the work.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires diligent oversight from NASA to ensure costs are reasonable and the contractor is performing effectively. Tracking expenditures against the fixed fee is crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Potential for cost overruns
- Lack of specific project outcome data
- Limited insight into small business participation
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, oh, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $58.9 million to VANTAGE PARTNERS LLC. IGF::OT::IGF GESS-3 ENGINEERING LABOR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VANTAGE PARTNERS 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 $58.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-10-01. End: 2017-05-31.
What specific R&D projects were supported by this contract, and what were the key outcomes?
The contract supported general engineering labor for NASA's R&D initiatives. Specific project details and outcomes are not provided in the data. Understanding the tangible results of this $59 million investment would be key to assessing its true value and impact on NASA's mission objectives.
How did the CPFF structure impact the final cost compared to other potential contract types?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee, which can incentivize contractors to control costs. However, it also carries a risk of cost overruns if the initial cost estimates are inaccurate or if scope creep occurs without proper management. Without comparative data from fixed-price contracts for similar services, it's difficult to definitively state the cost impact.
What mechanisms were in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the engineering labor provided?
NASA's oversight and performance management processes would be critical here. This includes monitoring deliverables, adherence to technical specifications, and overall contractor performance against contract requirements. The effectiveness of the labor is tied to NASA's ability to manage the CPFF contract diligently and ensure the contractor meets all technical and programmatic goals.
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 › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Vantage Systems, Inc. (UEI: 828923482)
Address: 10210 GREENBELT RD STE 400, LANHAM, MD, 20706
Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $59,943,094
Exercised Options: $59,943,094
Current Obligation: $58,949,613
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNC12BA01B
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-10-01
Current End Date: 2017-05-31
Potential End Date: 2017-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-04-21
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