NASA's METS II contract awarded $231.9M for multi-disciplinary engineering and technology services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $231,949,257 ($231.9M)
Contractor: AS and D, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2010-08-23
End Date: 2015-08-22
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $127.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING&TECHNOLOGY SERVICES II (METS II). THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO ACQUIRE ENGINEERING AND RELATED SERVICES TO MESAD, ISTD, EED, AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS, AS REQUIRED, FOR THE FORMULATION, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, FABRICATION, INTEGRATION, TESTING, VERIFICATION, AND OPERATIONS OF SPACE FLIGHT AND GROUND SYSTEM HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO ENABLE FUTURE SPACE AND SCIENCE MISSIONS. THE EMPHASIS IN ENGINEERING SERVICES WILL BE IN THE AREAS OF SYSTEMS ENGINEERING; GUIDANCE, NAVIGATION, AND CONTROL SYSTEMS; INSTRUMENT AND DETEETOR SYSTEMS AND RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) SYSTEMS. TO THIS END, THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ON/OFF-SITE MULTIDISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING SERVICES, PURSUANT TO TASK ORDERS ISSUED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. THESE SERVICES SHALL INCLUDE THE PERSONNEL, FACILITIES, AND MATERIALS (UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT) TO ACCOMPLISH THE TASKS. IN ADDITION, SECURITY CLEARANCES MAY BE REQUIRED FOR SOME TASKS RANGING FROM SECRET TO TOP SECRET AND SCI, SPECIFICALLY IN THE RF SYSTEMS DISCIPLINE.
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20771
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $231.9 million to AS AND D, LLC for work described as: MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING&TECHNOLOGY SERVICES II (METS II). THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO ACQUIRE ENGINEERING AND RELATED SERVICES TO MESAD, ISTD, EED, AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS, AS REQUIRED, FOR THE FORMULATION, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, FABRICATION, INTEGRATION, TESTING, … Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical space flight and ground system hardware/software development. 2. Key engineering areas include systems, guidance, navigation, control, and RF systems. 3. Services support formulation, design, integration, testing, and validation of space missions. 4. Contractor has a significant role in enabling future space and science endeavors. 5. The contract's duration of five years indicates a long-term need for these specialized services. 6. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these capabilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's total value of $231.9 million over five years averages approximately $46.4 million annually. This figure appears reasonable for the scope of complex, multi-disciplinary engineering and technology services required for space missions. Benchmarking against similar large-scale NASA engineering support contracts would provide further context, but the scale aligns with the agency's significant R&D and mission support needs. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type allows for performance-based incentives, potentially driving value.
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 that multiple potential bidders were allowed to compete. The presence of four bids suggests a competitive environment for these specialized services. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers for complex technical requirements.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging innovation among contractors vying for the work.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA's various directorates (MESAD, ISTD, EED) and related organizations, receiving essential engineering and technology support. Services delivered are crucial for the formulation, design, development, integration, testing, and operations of space flight and ground systems. The contract directly contributes to the advancement of space exploration and scientific discovery by enabling new technologies and missions. Workforce implications include the employment of highly skilled engineers and technologists in specialized fields.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can sometimes lead to higher overall costs if award fees are consistently maximized without clear performance justification.
- The broad scope of 'multi-disciplinary engineering' could lead to scope creep if not tightly managed through task orders.
- Reliance on a single contractor for such a broad range of critical services may pose a risk if performance degrades.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
- The contract's focus on advanced engineering and technology development aligns with NASA's strategic goals.
- The Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivizes high performance and successful mission outcomes.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for aerospace engineering and technology services is highly specialized, with a limited number of firms possessing the requisite expertise and security clearances. NASA's spending in this area is critical for maintaining its leadership in space exploration and scientific research. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within other large government R&D contracts supporting complex technological development.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Given the highly specialized and complex nature of the engineering and technology services required for space missions, it is common for prime contracts of this magnitude to be awarded to large, established aerospace and defense contractors. However, the prime contractor, AS AND D, LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific aspects of the work, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with NASA's contracting officers and program managers, who are responsible for monitoring performance, approving task orders, and ensuring compliance with contract terms. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure implies performance metrics that are regularly assessed. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction details are not provided, NASA's Office of Inspector General typically oversees agency spending for waste, fraud, and abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Engineering and Technology Support Services
- Space Systems Development Contracts
- Advanced Technology Research and Development
- Aerospace Engineering Services
- Mission Support Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Award Fee contracts.
- Scope definition and management for 'multi-disciplinary' services.
- Contractor performance risk for long-term, complex technical requirements.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, aerospace, engineering-services, technology-development, space-exploration, cost-plus-award-fee, full-and-open-competition, definitive-contract, maryland, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $231.9 million to AS AND D, LLC. MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING&TECHNOLOGY SERVICES II (METS II). THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO ACQUIRE ENGINEERING AND RELATED SERVICES TO MESAD, ISTD, EED, AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS, AS REQUIRED, FOR THE FORMULATION, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, FABRICATION, INTEGRATION, TESTING, VERIFICATION, AND OPERATIONS OF SPACE FLIGHT AND GROUND SYSTEM HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO ENABLE FUTURE SPACE AND SCIENCE MISSIONS. THE EMPHASIS IN ENGINEERING SERV
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AS AND D, 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 $231.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-08-23. End: 2015-08-22.
What is the track record of AS AND D, LLC in performing similar large-scale NASA engineering contracts?
Assessing the track record of AS AND D, LLC requires a review of their past performance on contracts with NASA and other federal agencies. Specifically, one would look for evidence of successful delivery of complex engineering and technology services, adherence to schedules and budgets, and positive performance evaluations. Information on previous contracts, including their scope, value, and duration, would be crucial. A history of exceeding expectations or consistently meeting requirements on similar projects would indicate a strong capability. Conversely, any past performance issues, such as cost overruns, schedule delays, or quality deficiencies, would raise concerns. Publicly available contract databases and performance rating systems (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) are key resources for this analysis.
How does the average annual value of this contract compare to other NASA engineering support contracts?
The METS II contract has an average annual value of approximately $46.4 million ($231.9M / 5 years). To benchmark this, one would compare it to the average annual values of other NASA contracts for similar multi-disciplinary engineering and technology services. This involves identifying comparable contracts, noting their total values and durations, and calculating their average annual expenditures. If other large-scale NASA engineering support contracts average significantly higher or lower amounts, it could indicate whether METS II is priced competitively or represents an outlier. Factors such as the specific technical complexity, the criticality of the supported missions, and the duration of the contract period would need to be considered in such a comparison.
What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type for this program?
The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type for a program like METS II revolve around cost control and the potential for inflated profits. While CPAF incentivizes performance through award fees, there's a risk that contractors may pursue higher costs to increase their base fee, and that award fees might be granted generously, leading to a higher overall cost than anticipated. Effective oversight is crucial to ensure that award fees are tied to clearly defined, measurable, and achievable performance objectives. Without stringent management and objective evaluation of performance metrics, the 'cost-plus' nature could lead to less price discipline compared to fixed-price contracts, potentially resulting in less value for taxpayer dollars if not managed meticulously.
How has NASA's spending on multi-disciplinary engineering services evolved over the past decade?
Analyzing NASA's spending evolution on multi-disciplinary engineering services over the past decade would involve examining historical contract data. This would entail identifying trends in the number, size, and total value of contracts awarded for similar services. Key questions would include whether overall spending has increased or decreased, if the average contract size has changed, and if there has been a shift in the types of engineering services being procured. Such an analysis could reveal patterns related to budget allocations, shifts in mission priorities (e.g., increased focus on exploration vs. Earth science), and the maturity of technology development efforts. Comparing spending on METS II and similar contracts against this historical backdrop provides context on its significance within NASA's broader procurement landscape.
What is the potential impact of this contract on the development of future space technologies?
This contract is explicitly designed to 'enable future space and science missions' by supporting the 'development and validation of new technologies.' Therefore, its impact on future space technologies is intended to be significant. The services procured, including systems engineering, guidance, navigation, and control, are foundational for developing advanced spacecraft and instruments. By funding these critical R&D activities, NASA, through contractors like AS AND D, LLC, is directly investing in the technological capabilities required for next-generation missions, such as deep space exploration, advanced Earth observation, and potentially new forms of space-based research. The success of this contract is directly linked to NASA's ability to innovate and push the boundaries of space exploration.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNG09269474R
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
Address: 6303 IVY LANE, GREENBELT, MD, 20770
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $250,000,000
Exercised Options: $250,000,000
Current Obligation: $231,949,257
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 70
Total Subaward Amount: $245,013,870
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-08-23
Current End Date: 2015-08-22
Potential End Date: 2015-08-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-04-02
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