NASA's $133M METS II Bridge Contract for Engineering Services Awarded to ASRC Federal
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $133,437,426 ($133.4M)
Contractor: Asrc Federal System Solutions LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2013-10-22
End Date: 2015-11-30
Contract Duration: 769 days
Daily Burn Rate: $173.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CL,CT::IGF ENGINEERING SERVICES METS II BRIDGE CONTRACT.THE PURPOSE OF THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES II BRIDGE (METS II BRIDGE) CONTRACT IS TO ACQUIRE ENGINEERING AND RELATED SERVICES TO THE MECHANICAL SYSTEMS DIVISION (MSD), THE SOFTWARE ENGINEERING DIVISION (SED), THE INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY DIVISION (ISTD), THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DIVISION (EED), AND THE MISSION ENGINEERING AND SYSTEMS ANALYSIS DIVISION (MESA) AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS UNDER AETD, AS REQUIRED, FOR THE FORMULATION, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, NON-FLIGHT 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 EMPHASES IN ENGINEERING SERVICES ARE IN THE AREAS OF SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, SOFTWARE ENGINEERING, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AND GUIDANCE NAVIGATION AND CONTROL (GN&C) SERVICES. TO THIS END, THE CONTRACTOR PROVIDES ON/OFF-SITE MULTIDISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING SERVICES, PURSUANT TO TASK ASSIGNMENTS ISSUED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER.
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20771
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $133.4 million to ASRC FEDERAL SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: IGF::CL,CT::IGF ENGINEERING SERVICES METS II BRIDGE CONTRACT.THE PURPOSE OF THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES II BRIDGE (METS II BRIDGE) CONTRACT IS TO ACQUIRE ENGINEERING AND RELATED SERVICES TO THE MECHANICAL SYSTEMS DIVISION (MSD), THE SOFTWARE ENGINEERI… Key points: 1. Contract awarded to ASRC Federal System Solutions LLC for multidisciplinary engineering and technical services. 2. Services cover formulation, design, development, integration, testing, and operations of space flight and ground systems. 3. The contract aims to enable future space and science missions through technology development. 4. This is a definitive contract with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee pricing structure.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing 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: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these essential engineering services.
Public Impact
Supports critical NASA missions in space exploration and scientific research. Facilitates the development of advanced technologies for future space endeavors. Provides essential engineering and technical expertise to multiple NASA divisions. The contract's duration and value suggest a significant investment in R&D.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee pricing
Positive Signals
- Supports critical NASA missions
- Focus on technology development
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. NASA's spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement and mission success, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication of small business participation in this contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were pursued.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by NASA's National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Oversight would focus on ensuring the effective delivery of engineering services and adherence to the CPFF terms.
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
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- CPFF pricing structure carries cost overrun risk.
- Lack of transparency on performance metrics for sole-source justification.
- Potential for contractor to prioritize fee over cost efficiency.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, md, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $133.4 million to ASRC FEDERAL SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC. IGF::CL,CT::IGF ENGINEERING SERVICES METS II BRIDGE CONTRACT.THE PURPOSE OF THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES II BRIDGE (METS II BRIDGE) CONTRACT IS TO ACQUIRE ENGINEERING AND RELATED SERVICES TO THE MECHANICAL SYSTEMS DIVISION (MSD), THE SOFTWARE ENGINEERING DIVISION (SED), THE INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY DIVISION (ISTD), THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DIVISION (EED), AND THE MISSION ENGINEERING AND SYSTEMS ANALYSIS DIVISION (MESA) AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS UNDER AETD,
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ASRC FEDERAL SYSTEM SOLUTIONS 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 $133.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-10-22. End: 2015-11-30.
What specific performance metrics were used to justify the sole-source award and ensure value for money?
The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics used to justify the sole-source award. Typically, such justifications would rely on unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. Ensuring value for money in a sole-source scenario heavily depends on robust negotiation, clear performance standards, and diligent oversight by the contracting agency to prevent cost creep and ensure deliverables meet expectations.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure mitigate risks associated with R&D projects where scope can evolve?
The CPFF structure aims to provide a degree of cost certainty by establishing a fixed fee for the contractor, regardless of the final cost of the work. However, for R&D, where scope can significantly evolve, this structure still carries risk. The 'cost' portion is subject to negotiation and oversight, and if not managed tightly, can escalate. The fixed fee incentivizes the contractor to complete the work, but the government bears the risk of cost overruns on the direct and indirect costs.
What is the long-term strategic impact of this contract on NASA's technological capabilities?
This contract's long-term strategic impact hinges on the successful development and validation of new technologies for future space and science missions. By providing sustained engineering and technical services, it allows NASA to maintain and advance its capabilities in critical areas like mechanical systems, software engineering, and mission analysis. The effectiveness will be measured by how these developed technologies contribute to achieving NASA's ambitious exploration and research goals.
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: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: NNG13468302R
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
Address: 7000 MUIRKIRK MEADOWS DR, BELTSVILLE, MD, 20705
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $150,040,000
Exercised Options: $150,040,000
Current Obligation: $133,437,426
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 52
Total Subaward Amount: $54,994,498
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-10-22
Current End Date: 2015-11-30
Potential End Date: 2015-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-07-02
More Contracts from Asrc Federal System Solutions LLC
- Aerospace Systems Technical Reasearch and Operations Support Services (astros) — $216.1M (Department of Defense)
- Program Analysis and Control — $104.0M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Satellite and Ground Command and Control — $98.0M (Department of Defense)
- Services to Support the Operation, Maintenance and Logistics of the Peterson-Schriever Garrison Information and Communications Systems — $69.3M (Department of Defense)
- Research Facilities and Engineering Support Services (rf&ess) — $61.7M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
View all Asrc Federal System Solutions LLC federal contracts →
Other National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracts
- International Space Station — $22.4B (THE Boeing Company)
- TAS::80 0124::TAS Design, Development, Test&evaluation of Project Orion — $15.5B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- Provide Developmental Hardware and Test Articles, and Manufacture and Assemble Ares I Upper Stages. the Upper Stage (US) Element IS an Integral Part of the Ares I Launch Vehicle and Provides the Second Stage of Flight. the US Element IS Responsible for the Roll Control During the First Stage Burn and Separation; and Will Provide the Guidance and Navigation, Command and Data Handling, and Other Avionics Functions for the Ares I During ALL Phases of the Ascent Flight. the US Element IS a NEW Design That Emphasizes Safety, Operability, and Minimum Life Cycle Cost. the Overall Design, Development, Test and Evaluation (ddt&e), Production, and Sustaining Engineering Efforts Include Activities Performed by Three Organizations; the Nasa Design Team (NDT), the Upper Stage Production Contractor (uspc) and the Instrument Unit Production Contractor (iupc). for Clarity, the Uspc Will BE Referred to AS the Contractor Throughout This Document. Nasa IS Responsible for the Integration of the Primary Elements of the Ares I Launch Vehicle Including: the First Stage, US Including Instrument Unit (IU), and US Engine; and Will Also Integrate the Ares I Launch Vehicle AT the Launch Site. Nasa IS Responsible for the Ddt&e, Including Technical and Programmatic Integration of the US Subsystems and Government-Furnished Property. Nasa Will Lead the Effort to Develop the Requirements and Specifications of the US Element, the Development Plan and Testing Requirements, and ALL Design Documentation, Initial Manufacturing and Assembly Process Planning, Logistics Planning, and Operations Support Planning. Development, Qualification, and Acceptance Testing Will BE Conducted by Nasa and the Contractor to Satisfy Requirements and for Risk Mitigation. Nasa IS Responsible for the Overall Upper Stage Verification and Validation Process and Will Require Support From the Contractor. the Contractor IS Responsible for the Manufacture and Assembly of the Upper Stage Test Flight and Operational Upper Stage Units Including the Installation of Upper Stage Instrument Unit, the Government-Furnished US Engine, Booster Separation Motors, and Other Government-Furnished Property. a Description of the Nasa Managed and Performed Efforts IS Contained in the US Work Packages and Will BE Made Available to the Contractor to Ensure Their Understanding of the Roles and Responsibilities of the NDT, Iupc, and Contractor During the Design, Development, and Operation of the US Element. the US Conceptual Design Described in the Uso-Clv-Se-25704 US Design Definition Document (DDD) IS the Baseline Design for This Contract. the Contractors Early Role Will BE to Provide Producibility Engineering Support to Nasa VIA the Established US Office Structure and to Provide Inputs Into the Final Design Configuration, Specifications, and Standards. Nasa Will Transition the Manufacturing and Assembly, Logistics Support Infrastructure, Configuration Management, and the Sustaining Engineering Functions to the Contractor AT the KEY Points During the Development and Implementation of the Program Currently Planned to Occur NO Later Than 90 Days After the Completion of the Following Major Milestones: Manufacturing and Assembly US Preliminary Design Review (PDR) Logistics Support Infrastructure US PDR Configuration Management US Critical Design Review CDR) Sustaining Engineering US Design Certification Review (DCR) After the Completion of an Orderly Transition of Roles and Responsibilities to the Contractor, Nasa Will Assume an Insight Role Into the Contractors Production, Sustaining Engineering, and Operations Support of the Ares I US Test Program and Flight Hardware. After DCR, the Contractor Will BE Responsible for Sustaining Engineering PER SOW Section 4.7, AS Necessary to Maintain and Support the US Configuration and for Production and Operations Support — $10.5B (THE Boeing Company)
- Space Program Operations Contract (spoc) — $8.5B (United Space Alliance, LLC)
- Joint Us/Russian Human Space Flight Activities — $4.7B (Russia Space Agency)
View all National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracts →