NASA Awards $39.3M Engineering Services Contract to ASRC Federal for Wallops Flight Facility
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $39,297,890 ($39.3M)
Contractor: Asrc Federal System Solutions LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2014-12-01
End Date: 2021-11-30
Contract Duration: 2,556 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF WALLOPS ENGINEERING SERVICES TO PROVIDE MULTI-DISCIPLINED ENGINEERING FUNCTIONS. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE LABOR, MATERIAL/PARTS AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT A WIDE RANGE OF ENGINEERING, EDUCATION, OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE WFF, IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, SOFTWARE ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, GUIDANCE/NAVIGATION AND CONTROL SYSTEMS, SAFETY ENGINEERING, METROLOGY, PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT, FACILITIES ENGINEERING. SUPPORT SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR WFF ACTIVITIES INCLUDING APPLIED ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE (AETD), SUBORBITAL AND SPECIAL ORBITAL PROJECTS DIRECTORATE, SCIENCES AND EXPLORATION DIRECTORATE, FACILITIES MANAGEMENT BRANCH, AND GROUND NETWORK ACTIVITIES.
Place of Performance
Location: WALLOPS ISLAND, ACCOMACK County, VIRGINIA, 23337
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $39.3 million to ASRC FEDERAL SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF WALLOPS ENGINEERING SERVICES TO PROVIDE MULTI-DISCIPLINED ENGINEERING FUNCTIONS. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE LABOR, MATERIAL/PARTS AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT A WIDE RANGE OF ENGINEERING, EDUCATION, OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE WFF, IN THE FOL… Key points: 1. Contract awarded to ASRC Federal System Solutions LLC for multi-disciplined engineering functions. 2. Services span technology development, systems engineering, and project management for Wallops Flight Facility. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources', suggesting a competitive process. 4. The sector is R&D, aligning with NASA's mission for scientific and technological advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $39.3 million over approximately 7 years represents a significant investment in engineering support. Benchmarking against similar multi-disciplinary engineering contracts for federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of its cost-effectiveness.
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 a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value is obtained.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for critical engineering and technical support services essential for NASA's research and development activities.
Public Impact
Supports critical NASA research and development at Wallops Flight Facility. Ensures continued operation and advancement of space exploration and technology. Provides specialized engineering expertise for complex projects. Contributes to scientific discovery and technological innovation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration is long (7 years), potentially leading to scope creep or cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can incentivize contractor to increase costs to maximize profit.
- Lack of specific small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
- Supports a vital government agency (NASA) with essential services.
- Contract covers a broad range of critical engineering disciplines.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement and scientific discovery, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and agency.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the prime contractor is likely a large business, and there is no explicit information on subcontracting to small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. The Inspector General's office and internal audit functions would typically monitor such contracts for performance and financial accountability.
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
- Long contract duration (7 years) increases risk of cost escalation and scope creep.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type may reduce incentive for cost efficiency.
- No explicit mention of small business subcontracting goals.
- Potential for contractor to prioritize profit over optimal cost solutions.
- Complexity of multi-disciplinary engineering services requires robust oversight.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $39.3 million to ASRC FEDERAL SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC. IGF::CT::IGF WALLOPS ENGINEERING SERVICES TO PROVIDE MULTI-DISCIPLINED ENGINEERING FUNCTIONS. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE LABOR, MATERIAL/PARTS AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT A WIDE RANGE OF ENGINEERING, EDUCATION, OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE WFF, IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, SOFTWARE ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, GUIDANCE/NAVIGATION AND CONTROL SYSTEMS, SAFETY ENGINEERING, METROLOGY, PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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 $39.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-12-01. End: 2021-11-30.
What is the specific breakdown of costs within the $39.3 million contract, and how does it compare to industry standards for similar engineering services?
The provided data does not detail the cost breakdown within the $39.3 million contract. A comprehensive analysis would require access to the contract's financial statements, including labor rates, material costs, and overhead. Benchmarking against industry standards for comparable multi-disciplinary engineering services, considering the specific technical requirements and duration, would be necessary to assess value for money.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of ASRC Federal's engineering services, and how is performance tracked?
The contract details do not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or the methods used for performance tracking. Typically, NASA contracts include performance work statements (PWS) with defined metrics and evaluation criteria. Regular progress reports, milestone reviews, and potentially independent government cost estimates would be employed to monitor contractor performance and ensure objectives are met.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure incentivize efficiency and cost control for ASRC Federal, given the long contract duration?
The CPFF structure aims to provide the contractor with a guaranteed profit margin while allowing for cost reimbursement. However, it can potentially reduce the incentive for strict cost control as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs. NASA's oversight is crucial to ensure costs remain reasonable and that the contractor actively seeks efficiencies to deliver the required engineering services within the overall contract value.
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: NNG13374674R
Offers Received: 9
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: $46,300,000
Exercised Options: $46,300,000
Current Obligation: $39,297,890
Actual Outlays: $17,707,249
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 66
Total Subaward Amount: $69,070,754
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-12-01
Current End Date: 2021-11-30
Potential End Date: 2021-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-06-04
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