NASA's $528M Electrical Engineering Services Contract Awarded to AS AND D, LLC for Space Flight Hardware Development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $527,930,778 ($527.9M)
Contractor: AS and D, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2013-08-01
End Date: 2019-12-09
Contract Duration: 2,321 days
Daily Burn Rate: $227.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SERVICES II (ESES-II) THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES AND RELATED WORK TO THE GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER'S APPLIED ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE (AETD) AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS, AS REQUIRED, FOR THE STUDY, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, FABRICATION, INTEGRATION, TESTING, VERIFICATION, AND OPERATIONS OF SPACE FLIGHT, AIRBORNE, AND GROUND SYSTEM HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO ENABLE FUTURE SPACE AND SCIENCE MISSIONS.
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20771
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $527.9 million to AS AND D, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SERVICES II (ESES-II) THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES AND RELATED WORK TO THE GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER'S APPLIED ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE (AETD) AND RELATED O… Key points: 1. Contract focused on critical electrical engineering support for space flight, airborne, and ground systems. 2. Significant investment in R&D for new technologies to enable future space and science missions. 3. Contract duration of approximately 6.4 years indicates a long-term need for specialized engineering expertise. 4. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services. 5. The contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee) incentivizes performance and cost control. 6. Geographic concentration in Maryland highlights a hub for aerospace and defense engineering.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total contract value of $528 million over its lifecycle represents a substantial investment in specialized engineering services. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale R&D contracts for aerospace engineering support is challenging without more granular data on specific task orders and deliverables. However, the duration and scope suggest a competitive pricing environment was likely sought. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for flexibility while incentivizing contractor performance, which can be a good value indicator if managed effectively.
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,' indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 7 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized engineering service. A competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition likely resulted in a more cost-effective outcome for taxpayers by ensuring that multiple companies vied for the contract, driving down prices and improving service quality.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and related organizations by providing essential engineering expertise. Supports the study, design, development, fabrication, integration, testing, and operations of space flight hardware. Contributes to the development and validation of new technologies crucial for future space and science missions. Impacts the aerospace engineering workforce, particularly in the Maryland region, through specialized job opportunities. Enhances the United States' capabilities in space exploration and scientific research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration could lead to scope creep if not managed tightly.
- Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can sometimes incentivize higher spending if award criteria are not precisely defined.
- Reliance on a single contractor for extensive engineering support may pose risks if performance degrades.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivizes high performance and cost efficiency.
- Contract supports critical R&D for future space missions, aligning with national strategic goals.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically focusing on aerospace engineering. The market for such specialized services is dominated by a few large aerospace and defense contractors, but also includes niche engineering firms. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining its technological edge and executing complex space missions. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve looking at other large-scale engineering support contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Defense or other NASA centers.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Given the scale and specialized nature of the services, it is likely that larger, established firms were the primary bidders. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data, which could be a missed opportunity for engaging the small business ecosystem in supporting these critical space missions.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, specifically the Applied Engineering and Technology Directorate. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure implies performance metrics and milestones that are regularly reviewed to determine award fees. Transparency would be assessed through contract reporting and potential audits. While no specific Inspector General jurisdiction is mentioned, NASA's Office of Inspector General would have oversight authority over potential fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Contracts
- Aerospace Engineering Services
- Space Technology Development
- Research and Development Contracts
- Electrical Systems Engineering
- Cost Plus Award Fee Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in CPAF contracts.
- Risk of performance degradation over the contract's long duration.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical engineering functions.
- Need for robust oversight to ensure effective R&D outcomes.
Tags
nasa, goddard-space-flight-center, electrical-engineering, research-and-development, aerospace, space-exploration, cost-plus-award-fee, full-and-open-competition, maryland, large-contract, technology-development
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $527.9 million to AS AND D, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SERVICES II (ESES-II) THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES AND RELATED WORK TO THE GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER'S APPLIED ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE (AETD) AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS, AS REQUIRED, FOR THE STUDY, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, FABRICATION, INTEGRATION, TESTING, VERIFICATION, AND OPERATIONS OF SPACE FLIGHT, AIRBORNE, AND GROUND SYSTEM HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT AND
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 $527.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-08-01. End: 2019-12-09.
What is the track record of AS AND D, LLC in performing similar large-scale engineering contracts for NASA or other federal agencies?
Information regarding the specific track record of AS AND D, LLC for large-scale engineering contracts is not detailed in the provided data. However, the award of a $528 million contract suggests a level of capability and past performance deemed sufficient by NASA's procurement officials. To fully assess their track record, one would need to examine past performance reviews, any documented issues on previous contracts, and their history with similar complex engineering projects. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases and agency performance evaluations would be necessary to provide a comprehensive answer on their historical performance and reliability in executing contracts of this magnitude and technical complexity.
How does the total contract value of $528 million compare to other similar electrical engineering support contracts awarded by NASA in recent years?
The $528 million total contract value for IGF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SERVICES II (ESES-II) is substantial, reflecting the critical and long-term nature of the support required by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Comparing this to other similar contracts requires access to a broader dataset of NASA's procurement history. However, contracts of this scale typically involve extensive research and development, system design, integration, and testing for complex spaceflight hardware. Such large awards are generally reserved for projects with significant scope and duration, often spanning multiple years. Without specific comparable contract values, it's difficult to definitively benchmark, but this figure suggests a major, multi-faceted engineering support requirement.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract structure for a project of this nature?
The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract structure, like the one used for ESES-II, revolve around potential cost overruns and the definition of performance metrics. While CPAF aims to incentivize performance by offering award fees based on achieving specific criteria, there's a risk that these criteria might be ambiguously defined, leading to disputes or inflated costs to maximize award fees. Contractors may also be incentivized to incur costs that are necessary for achieving the award fee rather than strictly for the most efficient project execution. Effective oversight, clear performance standards, and rigorous monitoring by the government are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money.
What is the expected impact of this contract on the development of new technologies for future space and science missions?
This contract is explicitly designed to foster the development and validation of new technologies essential for future space and science missions. The electrical engineering support services provided by AS AND D, LLC will likely encompass research into novel materials, advanced power systems, sophisticated sensor technologies, and innovative communication systems. By funding these R&D efforts, NASA aims to push the boundaries of what is currently possible, enabling more ambitious scientific discoveries, longer-duration missions, and enhanced capabilities for exploring the cosmos. The contract's focus on 'development and validation' ensures that promising technological concepts are rigorously tested and proven ready for integration into future spacecraft and scientific instruments.
How has NASA's spending on electrical engineering support services evolved over time, and does this contract represent a significant shift?
Analyzing the evolution of NASA's spending on electrical engineering support services requires historical budget data and contract award information over multiple fiscal years. The provided data for ESES-II, valued at $528 million from 2013 to 2019, represents a significant, long-term investment in this specific capability. Without comparative data from previous years or other similar contracts, it's challenging to determine if this contract signifies a 'shift.' However, the substantial value suggests a sustained and critical need for advanced electrical engineering expertise within NASA, particularly for complex projects like those managed by the Applied Engineering and Technology Directorate. Trends in space exploration, technological advancements, and budget allocations would influence overall spending patterns in this area.
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: NNG11375927R
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
Address: 7000 MUIRKIRK MEADOWS DR STE 100, BELTSVILLE, MD, 20705
Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $602,000,000
Exercised Options: $602,000,000
Current Obligation: $527,930,778
Actual Outlays: $813,795
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 109
Total Subaward Amount: $39,492,481
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-08-01
Current End Date: 2019-12-09
Potential End Date: 2019-12-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-09-06
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