NASA's $18.5M IT support contract with INDYNE, INC. awarded under full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,468,941 ($18.5M)
Contractor: Indyne, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2006-06-01
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,313 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE INTEGRATED IT SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONS, AND IT-RELATED MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES, EXCEPT FOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY ODIN TO ALL MISSION DIRECTORATES AND MISSION SUPPORT OFFICES AT NASA HQ
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20546
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $18.5 million to INDYNE, INC. for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE INTEGRATED IT SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONS, AND IT-RELATED MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES, EXCEPT FOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY ODIN TO ALL MISSION DIRECTORATES AND MISSION SUPPORT OFFICES AT NASA HQ Key points: 1. Contract awarded for IT systems engineering, operations, and management support. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of over 6 years indicates a significant, long-term need. 4. Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type allows for performance-based incentives. 5. Services provided to NASA HQ mission directorates and support offices. 6. Contract value of approximately $18.5 million over its lifecycle. 7. Delivery Order award type implies it's part of a larger contract vehicle.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's value of $18.5 million over approximately six years for IT systems engineering and operations support appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts at NASA or other federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure incentivizes performance, which can lead to better outcomes than fixed-price contracts if managed effectively. However, CPAF contracts can also lead to higher costs if award fees are consistently met without rigorous scrutiny of the underlying costs.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 5 bids suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive nature of this award, as it likely drove down the final price and ensured the government received proposals from multiple qualified vendors, fostering a more efficient use of public funds.
Public Impact
NASA mission directorates and mission support offices benefit from enhanced IT systems engineering and operations. Improved IT infrastructure and management support contribute to the agency's overall mission effectiveness. The contract supports IT professionals and engineers, potentially impacting the federal IT workforce. Services are concentrated at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts require careful oversight to ensure award fees are justified and not simply a mechanism for cost escalation.
- The long duration of the contract (over 6 years) necessitates ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued value and alignment with evolving IT needs.
- Reliance on a single contractor for integrated IT systems engineering and operations could create vendor lock-in if not managed proactively.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust and fair bidding process.
- The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure provides incentives for high performance, potentially leading to superior service delivery.
- The contract's duration suggests a stable and predictable IT support environment for NASA HQ.
- Multiple bids received (5) demonstrate market interest and a competitive landscape for these services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a critical component of the broader Information Technology (IT) industry. This sector encompasses a wide range of services, including IT consulting, systems integration, and IT support. The market for IT services to federal agencies is substantial, with significant spending allocated annually to maintain and upgrade complex government IT infrastructures. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing IT support contracts across various federal agencies, particularly those with similar mission complexities to NASA.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside provisions. While INDYNE, INC. may be a large business, the contract does not explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were mandated or encouraged, and how they impacted the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the relevant NASA program officials at Headquarters. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure necessitates robust performance monitoring and evaluation to ensure that award fees are earned based on demonstrable achievements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance reports and audits are typically internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- NASA IT Support Services
- Federal IT Consulting Contracts
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Information Technology Management Support
- Cost Plus Award Fee Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) requires diligent oversight to manage costs and ensure performance metrics are objective.
- Long contract duration necessitates continuous monitoring for relevance and value.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed with competitive strategies for future procurements.
Tags
it-services, systems-engineering, it-operations, nasa, headquarters, cost-plus-award-fee, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, computer-systems-design-services, washington-dc, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $18.5 million to INDYNE, INC.. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE INTEGRATED IT SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONS, AND IT-RELATED MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES, EXCEPT FOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY ODIN TO ALL MISSION DIRECTORATES AND MISSION SUPPORT OFFICES AT NASA HQ
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INDYNE, 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 $18.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-06-01. End: 2012-09-30.
What is INDYNE, INC.'s track record with NASA and other federal agencies for IT support services?
A review of federal procurement data indicates INDYNE, INC. has a history of receiving contracts for IT and technical support services across various federal agencies, including NASA. Their performance history would typically be assessed by the agency through past performance evaluations during the bidding process. While specific details of past performance on this particular contract are not publicly available in this data snippet, agencies generally maintain internal records of contractor performance. A deeper dive into contract award histories and performance reviews would reveal the extent of their experience and success in delivering similar services.
How does the $18.5 million contract value compare to similar IT support contracts at NASA?
The $18.5 million total value over approximately 6 years for integrated IT systems engineering and operations support at NASA HQ is a significant but not extraordinary amount for a large federal agency's core IT functions. To benchmark effectively, one would compare this to other NASA contracts for similar scope and duration, or to IT support contracts awarded by agencies of comparable size and technological complexity, such as the Department of Defense or the General Services Administration. Factors like the specific services included (e.g., cybersecurity, cloud migration, network management) and the level of support (e.g., 24/7 operations) heavily influence contract values, making direct comparisons challenging without detailed service descriptions.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract of this nature?
The primary risks with a CPAF contract like this one revolve around cost control and the objective measurement of performance. While CPAF incentivizes high performance by offering award fees for exceeding requirements, it can also lead to higher overall costs if the baseline cost estimates are inaccurate or if the award fee criteria are not sufficiently stringent and objectively measurable. There's a risk that the contractor may focus on achieving award fee targets rather than optimizing cost efficiency. Effective oversight by the government is crucial to ensure that award fees are truly earned and that the contractor remains cost-conscious throughout the contract period. Without rigorous monitoring, CPAF can become more expensive than other contract types.
How effective has INDYNE, INC. been in delivering IT systems engineering and operations support under this contract?
Assessing the effectiveness of INDYNE, INC. on this specific contract requires access to NASA's internal performance evaluations, contractor performance assessment reporting (CPAR) data, and potentially Inspector General reports. The provided data indicates the contract was awarded and completed, but does not offer qualitative insights into performance outcomes. Factors contributing to effectiveness would include meeting service level agreements, successful system implementations or upgrades, user satisfaction, and adherence to security protocols. The fact that the contract ran its full course suggests a baseline level of acceptable performance, but does not preclude areas for improvement or potential issues that may have arisen.
What has been the historical spending trend for IT support services at NASA HQ over the past decade?
Analyzing the historical spending trend for IT support services at NASA HQ over the past decade would require aggregating data from multiple contract awards within this category. This specific contract ($18.5M over ~6 years) represents a portion of that spending. Generally, federal IT spending has trended upwards due to increasing digitalization, cybersecurity needs, and modernization efforts. However, agencies also face budget pressures and shifts in IT strategy (e.g., towards cloud computing), which can influence contract types and values. A comprehensive analysis would involve examining annual IT budgets, the number and value of IT support contracts, and shifts in technology focus over time.
Were there any significant challenges or disputes during the performance of this contract?
The provided data does not contain information regarding specific challenges, disputes, or contract modifications during the performance of this contract. Such details are typically found in contract files, agency procurement records, or potentially in legal or administrative dispute resolution databases if significant issues arose. While the contract ran its full term, it is common for contracts of this length and complexity to experience some level of negotiation, change orders, or performance discussions between the contractor and the government. Without access to these detailed records, it's impossible to ascertain the presence or nature of any such events.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 11800 SUNRISE VALLEY DR, RESTON, VA, 20191
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,914,979
Exercised Options: $18,914,979
Current Obligation: $18,468,941
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNH06CC93B
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-06-01
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-08-30
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