NASA awards $82.4M for engineering labor to VANTAGE PARTNERS LLC under full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $82,398,631 ($82.4M)
Contractor: Vantage Partners LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2015-09-16
End Date: 2018-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,110 days
Daily Burn Rate: $74.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF GESS-3 ENGINEERING LABOR FUNDING
Place of Performance
Location: CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA County, OHIO, 44135
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $82.4 million to VANTAGE PARTNERS LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF GESS-3 ENGINEERING LABOR FUNDING Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. VANTAGE PARTNERS LLC is the sole awardee for this delivery order. 3. The contract spans nearly three years, from September 2015 to September 2018. 4. This is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. However, the specific reason for excluding other sources needs further clarification to fully assess price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for research and development, with the value of the award suggesting significant investment in this area.
Public Impact
Supports critical research and development efforts for NASA. Potential for technological advancements stemming from the funded research. Ensures continued operational support for NASA's engineering needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Limited transparency on specific R&D project outcomes.
- Contract duration is substantial, requiring ongoing oversight.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports a critical government agency (NASA).
- Focus on R&D aligns with innovation goals.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement and national competitiveness, with significant government investment typically seen in areas supporting defense, space exploration, and scientific discovery.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would focus on the proper execution of the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, ensuring that costs are reasonable and allocable to the research and development objectives. NASA's internal oversight mechanisms are expected to monitor progress and expenditures.
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 carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
- Lack of specific project details limits assessment of R&D effectiveness.
- Potential for contractor to prioritize billable hours over project efficiency.
- Limited insight into the competitive landscape beyond the initial award.
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 $82.4 million to VANTAGE PARTNERS LLC. IGF::OT::IGF GESS-3 ENGINEERING LABOR FUNDING
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 $82.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-09-16. End: 2018-09-30.
What specific research and development projects are being funded by this contract, and what are the expected outcomes?
The contract details are for 'ENGINEERING LABOR FUNDING,' suggesting it supports the personnel costs associated with various R&D projects. Specific project details and expected outcomes are not provided in this data. A deeper dive into NASA's R&D portfolio and contract line item details would be necessary to identify the precise research areas and anticipated deliverables.
How does the fixed fee component of this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract compare to industry standards for similar R&D services?
Benchmarking the fixed fee for a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract requires detailed knowledge of the specific R&D services, the contractor's overhead structure, and the complexity of the work. Without this granular data, it's challenging to definitively assess if the fee is competitive. CPFF contracts are often used when costs are uncertain, making the fee a negotiated percentage of estimated costs.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the engineering labor funded by this contract?
Effectiveness is typically ensured through NASA's program management, including regular progress reviews, milestone tracking, and performance metrics tied to the R&D objectives. The CPFF structure itself incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently to maximize their profit margin, though oversight is crucial to prevent cost escalation.
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
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Vantage Systems, Inc.
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: $87,927,308
Exercised Options: $87,927,308
Current Obligation: $82,398,631
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNC12BA01B
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-09-16
Current End Date: 2018-09-30
Potential End Date: 2018-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-01-31
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