NASA Awards $97.7M for Software IV&V Services to CACI NSS, LLC Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $97,727,114 ($97.7M)
Contractor: CACI NSS, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2005-05-11
End Date: 2011-11-10
Contract Duration: 2,374 days
Daily Burn Rate: $41.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION (IV&V) SOFTWARE SERVICES. SOFTWARE IV&V IS A SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROCESS EMPLOYING RIGOROUS METHODOLOGIES FOR EVALUATING THE CORRECTNESS AND QUALITY OF THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT THROUGHOUT THE SOFTWARE LIFE CYCLE. VERIFICATION PROCESSES DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE PRODUCTS OF A GIVEN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED FOR THE ACTIVITY. VALIDATION PROCESSES EVALUATE THE SOFTWARE THROUGHOUT THE LIFECYCLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE SOFTWARE SATISFIES ITS INTENDED USE AND USER NEEDS. IV&V IS PERFORMED BY AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS TECHNICALLY, MANAGERIALLY, AND FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT FROM THE DEVELOPING ORGANIZATION. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF SOFTWARE IV&V ON SELECTED SOFTWARE BEING DEVELOPED BY OR FOR NASA AND OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL MANAGE THE ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS CONTRACT. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM BOTH CONTRACT-LEVEL AND PROJECT-LEVEL MANAGEMENT. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL INSTITUTE POLICIES, PROCEDURES, PROCESSES, AND METRICS THAT WILL ENSURE IV&V PRODUCTS MEET CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS AND WILL PROMOTE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF THE PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A METRICS PROGRAM THAT CAN BE USED BY BOTH THE CONTRACTOR AND NASA TO IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY OF THE IV&V SERVICES BEING PERFORMED BY THE CONTRACTOR. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL MAINTAIN AND OPERATE A LIBRARY OF EACH PROJECT S RELATED DOCUMENTATION FOR USE BY THE CONTRACTOR AND NASA IV&V PERSONNEL AT A CONTRACTOR SUPPLIED LOCATION. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PRODUCE AND DELIVER, AS A PART OF EACH TASK ORDER, AN INITIAL INTEGRATED COST-PERFORMANCE REPORT (ICPR). THE CONTRACTOR SHALL ALSO PRODUCE AND DELIVER MONTHLY ICPRS FOR EACH PROJECT. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PRODUCE AND DELIVER A MONTHLY SOFTWARE STATUS REPORT (MSSR) FOR EACH PROJECT.
Place of Performance
Location: FAIRMONT, MARION County, WEST VIRGINIA, 26554
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $97.7 million to CACI NSS, LLC for work described as: INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION (IV&V) SOFTWARE SERVICES. SOFTWARE IV&V IS A SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROCESS EMPLOYING RIGOROUS METHODOLOGIES FOR EVALUATING THE CORRECTNESS AND QUALITY OF THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT THROUGHOUT THE SOFTWARE LIFE CYCLE. VERIFICATION PROCESSES DETERMIN… Key points: 1. The contract focuses on Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) of software for NASA, ensuring quality and correctness throughout the development lifecycle. 2. CACI NSS, LLC, a significant player in IT services, secured this contract. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The total value of the contract is substantial at $97.7 million over its duration.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $97.7 million over approximately 6.5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific per-unit cost data for IV&V services, a direct benchmark is difficult, but the overall value appears reasonable for comprehensive software assurance.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offering.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for high-quality software verification and validation services.
Public Impact
Ensures the integrity and reliability of critical NASA software systems. Supports NASA's mission by reducing the risk of software failures in complex projects. Provides an independent check on software development processes, enhancing accountability.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific per-unit cost data for IV&V services.
- Contract duration is lengthy, potentially leading to scope creep or evolving requirements.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Focus on critical software assurance for a major government agency.
- Independent verification adds a layer of quality control.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on software quality assurance and independent verification. Spending benchmarks for IV&V services can vary widely based on project complexity and criticality, but NASA's investment reflects the importance of robust software for its operations.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there is no direct analysis of small business participation or impact from this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's nature as an Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) service inherently involves oversight by ensuring software meets requirements and user needs. The awarding agency, NASA, is responsible for monitoring contract performance and ensuring adherence to terms.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep due to long contract duration.
- Lack of detailed per-unit cost benchmarks for IV&V services.
- Contractor performance heavily relies on meeting award fee criteria.
- No small business participation indicated.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, wv, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $97.7 million to CACI NSS, LLC. INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION (IV&V) SOFTWARE SERVICES. SOFTWARE IV&V IS A SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROCESS EMPLOYING RIGOROUS METHODOLOGIES FOR EVALUATING THE CORRECTNESS AND QUALITY OF THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT THROUGHOUT THE SOFTWARE LIFE CYCLE. VERIFICATION PROCESSES DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE PRODUCTS OF A GIVEN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED FOR THE ACTIVITY. VALIDATION PROCESSES EVALUATE THE SOFTWARE THROUGHOUT THE LIFECYCLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER TH
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CACI NSS, 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 $97.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-05-11. End: 2011-11-10.
What specific methodologies or standards are employed by CACI NSS, LLC for IV&V services under this contract?
The contract specifies that IV&V employs rigorous methodologies for evaluating software correctness and quality throughout the lifecycle. While the specific methodologies are not detailed in this summary, they would typically include requirements analysis, code reviews, testing (unit, integration, system), and validation against user needs. NASA likely has established standards or frameworks that contractors must adhere to, ensuring a consistent and effective approach to software assurance.
How does the 'Cost Plus Award Fee' (PT) structure influence the contractor's performance and taxpayer cost?
A Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract allows the contractor to recover allowable costs plus a fee that is composed of a base amount and an award amount. The award amount is determined by the government based on the contractor's performance against pre-defined criteria. This structure incentivizes the contractor to perform well to earn the maximum award fee, potentially leading to better quality and efficiency, while the government retains control over the fee based on objective performance evaluations.
What is the potential impact of the contract's duration (2374 days) on the long-term cost-effectiveness of the IV&V services?
A long contract duration, such as 2374 days (over 6.5 years), can offer cost-effectiveness through economies of scale and reduced administrative overhead associated with frequent re-procurement. However, it also carries risks. Requirements may evolve significantly over such a period, potentially leading to increased costs if not managed properly. Continuous oversight is crucial to ensure the services remain relevant and cost-effective throughout the contract's life.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: RFP-49826-GGU
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: CACI International Inc (UEI: 045534641)
Address: 11955 FREEDOM DR STE 10000, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $200,000,000
Exercised Options: $200,000,000
Current Obligation: $97,727,114
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-05-11
Current End Date: 2011-11-10
Potential End Date: 2011-11-10 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-09-14
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