NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center awards $251M for environmental testing and integration services to Sierra Lobo Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $250,993,717 ($251.0M)
Contractor: Sierra Lobo Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2014-10-01
End Date: 2019-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $137.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING AND INTEGRATION SERVICES (ETIS) II THIS STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) SPECIFIES THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ON SITE CONTRACTOR SUPPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL TEST AND INTEGRATION AND OTHER LABORATORY OPERATIONS SERVICES TO THE GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (GSFC). THE SCOPE OF THESE SERVICES INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND UPGRADE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TEST EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES LOCATED IN THE GSFC BUILDING 7/10/15/29 COMPLEX, AREA 300 MAGNETIC TEST SITE AND OTHER TECHNICAL FACILITIES LOCATED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS WITHIN GSFC INCLUDING THE MANUFACTURING AND ELECTROPLATING EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES PRIMARILY LOCATED IN GSFC BUILDING 5/10/21 SHOPS MECHANICAL AND OPTICAL INTEGRATION OF SPACECRAFT, FLIGHT EXPERIMENT COMPONENTS, INSTRUMENTS, SUB-ASSEMBLIES AND SYSTEMS DESIGN, FABRICATE, AND MANUFACTURE CUSTOM SPACECRAFT, FLIGHT EXPERIMENT COMPONENTS, INSTRUMENTS, SUB-ASSEMBLIES AND SYSTEMS DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, AND OPERATION OF GROUND HANDLING EQUIPMENT AND FIXTURES DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, AND OPERATION OF OPTICAL ALIGNMENT AND CALIBRATION SYSTEMS DESIGN, MANUFACTURE AND INSTALLATION OF SPACE FLIGHT THERMAL BLANKETS DESIGN, MANUFACTURE AND INSTALLATION OF SPACE FLIGHT AND GROUND SUPPORT SYSTEM CABLE HARNESSES DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, AND INSTALLATION OF TECHNICAL FACILITIES INCLUDING BUILDINGS, BUILDING ELEMENTS, UTILITY SYSTEMS, AND TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS DEFINE, ANALYZE, AND RESOLVE ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION ISSUES RELATING TO FACILITY AND SATELLITE GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT OPERATION WITHIN THE TEST COMPLEX. SUPPORT SPECTRUM SIGNATURE ANALYSIS TO INSURE INTERFERENCE-FREE AND SAFE OPERATION OF ALL FACILITY-LOCATED NEAR ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE SENSING DEVICES. TEST AND INTEGRATION ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLEANROOM OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE CONTAMINATION CONTROL SERVICES USING QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF CERTAIN PHYSICAL PLANT SYSTEMS SUCH AS PROCESSED WATER, EMERGENCY POWER, LN2/GN2 STORAGE SYSTEMS, CONDITIONED CLEANROOM AIR HVAC AND HUMIDITY SYSTEMS RECERTIFICATION (TESTING AND INSPECTION) OF LIFTING DEVICES AND EQUIPMENT (LDE), AND (INSPECTION) OF PRESSURE VESSELS AND PRESSURIZED SYSTEMS (PVS) AT GSFC, GREENBELT, WALLOPS, AND OTHER OFFSITE LOCATIONS. MAINTENANCE OF LDE AT GREENBELT SITE ONLY, NOT AT OTHER SITES; NON-DESTRUCTIVE EXAMINATION TESTING OF LDE AND PVS FACILITY AND OPERATIONS SAFETY DATA ACQUISITION AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT.
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20771
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $251.0 million to SIERRA LOBO INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING AND INTEGRATION SERVICES (ETIS) II THIS STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) SPECIFIES THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ON SITE CONTRACTOR SUPPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL TEST AND INTEGRATION AND OTHER LABORATORY OPERATIONS SERVICES TO THE GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (GSFC). THE… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical environmental testing and integration services for spacecraft and components. 2. Services include operation, maintenance, and upgrade of specialized test equipment and facilities. 3. The contract spans five years, indicating a long-term need for these specialized services. 4. Sierra Lobo Inc. is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition and potential price efficiencies. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can incentivize performance but may lead to higher costs. 6. Geographic focus is Maryland, supporting Goddard Space Flight Center's operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $251 million over five years for environmental testing and integration services appears substantial. Benchmarking this against similar contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type, while allowing for performance incentives, can sometimes lead to costs exceeding fixed-price contracts. The lack of detailed cost breakdowns makes a precise value-for-money assessment difficult, but the scale suggests a significant investment in critical support functions.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. The data shows 6 offers were received. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and innovation. The fact that Sierra Lobo Inc. was selected suggests they offered the best value proposition among the competing firms.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of offers, potentially driving down costs and improving service quality through market forces.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center by ensuring the reliability and readiness of spacecraft and components through rigorous testing. Delivers essential laboratory operations and maintenance for specialized environmental test equipment. Supports the development and integration of flight experiment components and instruments. The services are geographically concentrated at Goddard Space Flight Center facilities in Maryland. Implies a need for skilled technical personnel in environmental testing, engineering, and laboratory operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure may lead to higher overall costs compared to fixed-price contracts.
- Sole awardee for a large contract could indicate limited market competition or specific contractor capabilities.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess award fee effectiveness.
- Long contract duration (5 years) might reduce flexibility to adapt to evolving technological needs or market changes.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process, potentially leading to competitive pricing.
- The contract's focus on critical testing ensures the quality and safety of spaceflight hardware.
- Long-term nature of the contract provides stability for essential support services at GSFC.
- Award Fee component incentivizes contractor performance and quality.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting aerospace and defense-related testing and integration. The market for such specialized services is driven by government and private sector space exploration and satellite development. Spending in this area is critical for ensuring the success and safety of complex missions. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale testing and integration contracts awarded by agencies like NASA, DoD, or commercial space companies.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this contract. This suggests the primary focus was on securing specialized technical capabilities, likely favoring larger, established firms. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could represent missed opportunities for small business engagement within this significant federal spend.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center contracting and program management offices. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure implies performance monitoring to determine award fee payouts. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential issues, but the NASA OIG would likely have oversight.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Operations Support
- Aerospace Engineering and Testing Services
- Spacecraft Integration and Testing
- Environmental Simulation Services
- Laboratory Operations Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPAF structure
- Limited visibility into specific performance metrics driving award fee
- Lack of explicit small business subcontracting requirements
- Long contract duration may limit adaptability
Tags
nasa, goddard-space-flight-center, engineering-services, environmental-testing, integration-services, cost-plus-award-fee, full-and-open-competition, definitive-contract, maryland, aerospace, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $251.0 million to SIERRA LOBO INC. IGF::OT::IGF ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING AND INTEGRATION SERVICES (ETIS) II THIS STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) SPECIFIES THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ON SITE CONTRACTOR SUPPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL TEST AND INTEGRATION AND OTHER LABORATORY OPERATIONS SERVICES TO THE GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (GSFC). THE SCOPE OF THESE SERVICES INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND UPGRADE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TEST EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES LOCATED IN THE GSFC BUILDING 7/10/15/29 COMPLEX, AREA 300 MAGNETIC TEST SITE AND OTHER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SIERRA LOBO 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 $251.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-10-01. End: 2019-09-30.
What is the historical spending trend for environmental testing and integration services at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center?
Analyzing historical spending trends for environmental testing and integration services at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) requires examining contract awards over multiple fiscal years. While this specific contract (ETIS II) spans from 2014-2019, understanding the broader trend involves looking at predecessor contracts (like ETIS I) and any subsequent awards for similar services. Generally, spending in this area is driven by the pace of space exploration programs, satellite development cycles, and the need to maintain and upgrade aging test facilities. Fluctuations can occur based on major program starts or completions, budget allocations, and shifts in testing methodologies. A comprehensive analysis would involve aggregating data from similar contract vehicles awarded to various contractors over a decade or more to identify patterns of consistent investment, periods of increased or decreased spending, and the overall evolution of GSFC's requirements in this critical support domain.
How does the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure impact the final cost and contractor performance for this contract compared to other contract types?
The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure for this contract means the contractor is reimbursed for 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 performance against pre-defined criteria. This structure aims to incentivize high performance by offering potential for a higher total fee if the contractor exceeds expectations. However, compared to fixed-price contracts, CPAF generally carries higher cost risk for the government, as the final cost is not predetermined and can escalate if costs are higher than anticipated, even if performance is good. While it can drive better quality and efficiency, it requires robust government oversight to set meaningful performance metrics and objectively evaluate them to ensure the award fee is truly earned and represents good value. Without strong performance standards, it can lead to cost overruns without commensurate performance gains.
What is Sierra Lobo Inc.'s track record with NASA and other federal agencies for similar environmental testing and integration services?
Sierra Lobo Inc. has a significant track record with NASA and other federal agencies, particularly in areas related to aerospace engineering, testing, and support services. Prior to this ETIS II contract, they likely held predecessor contracts (e.g., ETIS I) and potentially other related agreements. Their experience often includes providing specialized technical support, operating complex testing facilities, and performing integration services for spaceflight hardware. A review of federal procurement data would reveal the extent and nature of their past performance, including contract values, performance ratings, and any past performance issues or commendations. Their continued success in securing large contracts like ETIS II suggests a generally positive track record and established capabilities that meet agency requirements, although a deeper dive into specific past performance reviews would be necessary for a complete assessment.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to determine the award fee for Sierra Lobo Inc. under this contract?
The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to determine the award fee for Sierra Lobo Inc. under the ETIS II contract are not detailed in the provided summary data. However, for a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract of this nature, KPIs typically revolve around critical aspects of service delivery. These could include the successful and timely completion of environmental tests according to stringent mission requirements, the operational availability and reliability of specialized test equipment, adherence to safety protocols, effective maintenance and upgrade schedules for facilities, responsiveness to NASA's needs, and the overall quality and accuracy of integration services. The government's contracting officer would establish these metrics, often tied to mission success, cost control, schedule adherence, and technical performance, and would regularly evaluate Sierra Lobo's performance against them to determine the award fee.
How does the scope of work for ETIS II compare to previous or subsequent contracts for similar services at GSFC?
The scope of work for ETIS II, as described, focuses on the operation, maintenance, and upgrade of environmental test equipment and facilities, along with mechanical and optical integration of spacecraft components at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). Comparing this to previous contracts (like ETIS I) would likely reveal an evolution in requirements, potentially driven by new technologies, more complex missions, or changes in facility infrastructure. Subsequent contracts would reflect ongoing needs and potentially incorporate lessons learned from ETIS II. For instance, advancements in spacecraft design might necessitate new types of environmental testing, or upgrades to facilities could expand the capabilities covered. Without explicit data on predecessor or successor contracts, it's presumed that the scope reflects the contemporary needs of GSFC's diverse spaceflight programs during the 2014-2019 period, maintaining a consistent focus on ensuring hardware readiness through rigorous testing and integration.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering 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: NNG13451194R
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 102 PINNACLE DR, FREMONT, OH, 43420
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $275,000,000
Exercised Options: $275,000,000
Current Obligation: $250,993,717
Actual Outlays: $9,421,965
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 97
Total Subaward Amount: $14,657,494
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-10-01
Current End Date: 2019-09-30
Potential End Date: 2019-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-25
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