NASA's $72.7M contract for scientific and technical support services awarded to Science Systems and Applications, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $72,685,210 ($72.7M)
Contractor: Science Systems and Applications, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2006-05-01
End Date: 2012-04-30
Contract Duration: 2,191 days
Daily Burn Rate: $33.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO CODE 613
Place of Performance
Location: LANHAM, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20706
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $72.7 million to SCIENCE SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS, INC. for work described as: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO CODE 613 Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified bidders. 2. The contract type, Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), incentivizes contractor performance through award amounts tied to meeting specific objectives. 3. The duration of the contract (2191 days) suggests a long-term need for these scientific and technical support services. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541710 points to significant R&D activity within the physical, engineering, and life sciences. 5. The contract was awarded by NASA's Science Systems and Applications, Inc., highlighting its role in supporting core agency functions. 6. The 'Definitive Contract' award type signifies a formal agreement for services over a specified period.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract requires more granular data on the specific services provided and their market rates. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure suggests an attempt to manage costs while incentivizing performance. Without comparable contract data for similar scientific and technical support services at NASA or other agencies, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The total award amount of over $72 million over approximately six years indicates a substantial investment in specialized expertise.
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,' which implies that while the competition was broad, certain sources may have been excluded for specific reasons, possibly related to proprietary technology or unique capabilities. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, even with a limited number of bidders, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging competitive pricing and ensuring that the government secures services from capable providers at reasonable costs.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and its research initiatives, receiving essential scientific and technical support. The services delivered likely contribute to advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences research. The geographic impact is centered around NASA facilities, particularly those managed by the Science Systems and Applications, Inc. in Maryland. The contract supports a specialized workforce in scientific and technical fields, contributing to the knowledge economy.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The 'Cost Plus Award Fee' structure can lead to cost overruns if award criteria are not tightly managed and performance targets are not clearly defined and achievable.
- The exclusion of sources in an otherwise 'full and open' competition warrants scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition or lead to suboptimal pricing.
- The long duration of the contract could present risks if technological needs or project scopes change significantly over its term.
Positive Signals
- The use of 'Full and Open Competition' indicates an effort to leverage the widest possible market for these services.
- The 'Award Fee' component incentivizes contractor performance, potentially leading to higher quality outcomes.
- The contract is with Science Systems and Applications, Inc., a known entity likely possessing specialized expertise relevant to NASA's mission.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on scientific and technical support services. The NAICS code 541710 covers a broad range of R&D activities. The market for such services is characterized by specialized expertise, often requiring highly educated personnel and advanced facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other government contracts for scientific support, particularly within agencies like NASA, NSF, or DoD, that require similar technical proficiencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a specific set-aside. The primary contractor, Science Systems and Applications, Inc., would determine any subcontracting opportunities based on its own needs and procurement policies. The absence of a small business set-aside means that large businesses were eligible to compete and potentially win this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within NASA responsible for the scientific and technical support services. Performance metrics and award fee criteria would be key elements of oversight. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS-NG, which provide basic award information. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Scientific Support Services
- Aerospace Engineering Services
- Space Exploration Technology Development
- Federal Research Grants and Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost growth in CPAF contracts if not managed tightly.
- Subjectivity in award fee determination could lead to performance disputes.
- Risk of scope creep in R&D contracts if not clearly defined.
- Exclusion of sources in competition needs justification to ensure fairness and optimal pricing.
Tags
nasa, scientific-and-technical-support, research-and-development, cost-plus-award-fee, full-and-open-competition, definitive-contract, science-systems-and-applications-inc, maryland, aerospace, r&d-in-physical-engineering-life-sciences
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $72.7 million to SCIENCE SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS, INC.. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO CODE 613
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SCIENCE SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS, 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 $72.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-05-01. End: 2012-04-30.
What specific scientific and technical support services were provided under this contract?
The contract data indicates 'SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO CODE 613' for NASA. While the specific sub-tasks are not detailed in the provided summary, 'CODE 613' likely refers to a specific directorate, office, or program within NASA's Science Mission Directorate or a related engineering/research division. These services commonly encompass areas such as systems engineering, mission design, data analysis, scientific research support, instrument development, testing, and operational support for space missions or ground-based research facilities. The NAICS code 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) further suggests that the support was integral to NASA's scientific endeavors, potentially involving theoretical modeling, experimental design, data interpretation, and the development of new technologies for scientific exploration.
How does the $72.7 million total award amount compare to similar NASA contracts for scientific and technical support?
Assessing the $72.7 million total award amount requires context regarding the contract's duration and scope. This contract spanned approximately six years (May 1, 2006, to April 30, 2012), with a total value of $72,685,209.91. This averages to roughly $12.1 million per year. NASA frequently awards large contracts for scientific and technical support, especially for major space missions or research programs. Contracts of this magnitude are not uncommon for supporting complex R&D efforts. However, a precise comparison would necessitate analyzing contracts with similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541710, 541720) and similar service scopes awarded during the same period to ensure a like-for-like comparison. Factors like the specific scientific disciplines involved (e.g., astrophysics vs. earth science), the level of engineering complexity, and the criticality of the support to mission success would influence pricing.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or award fee criteria used to evaluate Science Systems and Applications, Inc.'s performance?
The contract type is 'Cost Plus Award Fee' (CPAF), which means the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fee that includes 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. While the specific KPIs and award fee criteria are not detailed in the provided summary, they typically align with the contract's objectives and the services being rendered. For scientific and technical support, these could include metrics related to the quality of research findings, the accuracy and timeliness of data analysis, the successful completion of technical milestones, adherence to project schedules, innovation in problem-solving, effective management of resources, and overall contribution to NASA's mission goals. The contracting officer or a designated representative would periodically evaluate performance against these criteria to determine the award fee.
What is the historical spending pattern for scientific and technical support services at NASA, and how does this contract fit in?
NASA has a consistent and substantial history of spending on scientific and technical support services, essential for its core mission of space exploration, aeronautics research, and scientific discovery. This spending is distributed across various directorates and mission areas, supporting everything from fundamental research to complex mission operations and technology development. The $72.7 million contract awarded to Science Systems and Applications, Inc. from 2006 to 2012 represents a segment of this broader spending. It fits within the agency's strategy to leverage external expertise for specialized R&D tasks, complementing in-house capabilities. Analyzing NASA's overall budget allocation for R&D and contract services over the years would reveal trends, such as increased reliance on contractors for specific technical domains or shifts in funding priorities. This particular contract likely supported specific scientific programs or research initiatives active during that period.
What risks are associated with a 'Cost Plus Award Fee' contract for scientific R&D services?
Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts, while offering flexibility and performance incentives, carry inherent risks. For scientific R&D, a primary risk is the potential for cost growth if the scope of research is not well-defined or if unforeseen technical challenges arise, leading to increased costs beyond initial estimates. The 'award fee' component, designed to incentivize performance, can be subjective and may lead to disputes if performance evaluations are perceived as unfair by the contractor. There's also a risk that the focus on achieving award fee criteria might inadvertently steer research towards easily measurable outcomes rather than potentially groundbreaking but harder-to-quantify discoveries. Effective oversight is crucial to mitigate these risks, ensuring that award criteria are objective, performance is rigorously assessed, and costs remain controlled within the bounds of the contract's intent.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 10210 GREENBELT RD STE 600, LANHAM, MD, 20706
Business Categories: Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $83,000,000
Exercised Options: $83,000,000
Current Obligation: $72,685,210
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-05-01
Current End Date: 2012-04-30
Potential End Date: 2012-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-09-05
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