NASA's $49.8M ODIN contract for desktop services awarded to Lockheed Martin faced full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $49,843,645 ($49.8M)
Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2007-09-01
End Date: 2011-10-31
Contract Duration: 1,521 days
Daily Burn Rate: $32.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: PROVIDE OUTSOURCING DESKTOP INITIATIVE FOR NASA (ODIN) DESKTOP SERVICES. THIS INCLUDES RESPONSIBILITY AND RISK FOR PROVIDING AND MANAGING THE VAST MAJORITY OF NASA'S DESKTOP, SERVER, AND INTRA-CENTER COMMUNICATION ASSETS AND SERVICES. ODIN WILL INCLUDE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ACQUISITION, AS WELL AS MAINTENANCE, HELPDESK, AND OTHER ANCILLARY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR GENERAL PURPOSE WORKSTATIONS FOR NASA CIVIL SERVANTS AND ON-SITE CONTRACTORS.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20546
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $49.8 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION for work described as: PROVIDE OUTSOURCING DESKTOP INITIATIVE FOR NASA (ODIN) DESKTOP SERVICES. THIS INCLUDES RESPONSIBILITY AND RISK FOR PROVIDING AND MANAGING THE VAST MAJORITY OF NASA'S DESKTOP, SERVER, AND INTRA-CENTER COMMUNICATION ASSETS AND SERVICES. ODIN WILL INCLUDE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE AC… Key points: 1. The contract aimed to consolidate and manage a significant portion of NASA's desktop, server, and communication assets. 2. It encompassed hardware/software acquisition, maintenance, and helpdesk support for NASA personnel. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests a defined scope and cost control expectations. 4. The duration of over 4 years indicates a substantial, long-term service requirement. 5. Awarded under full and open competition, it implies a robust bidding process. 6. The contract's focus on IT infrastructure highlights a critical operational support function for NASA.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without detailed service level agreements and specific performance metrics. The total award amount of $49.8 million over approximately four years averages to roughly $12.5 million annually. This figure needs to be compared against the cost of in-house provision of similar services or other agency contracts for comparable IT support. Given the broad scope, the pricing appears to be in a reasonable range for managing a large federal agency's IT infrastructure, but a detailed cost-benefit analysis would be required for a definitive assessment of value for money.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 9 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this significant IT services contract. A competitive process like this generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers likely benefited from a competitive bidding process that aimed to secure the best value for the government's investment in essential IT infrastructure services.
Public Impact
NASA civil servants and on-site contractors directly benefit from improved and consolidated desktop and communication services. The contract ensures the provision and maintenance of essential IT hardware, software, and support. Services include helpdesk support, hardware/software acquisition, and maintenance, enhancing user productivity. The contract supports NASA's operational efficiency by standardizing and managing its IT assets.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in given the comprehensive nature of the services provided.
- Risk of cost overruns if the scope of services expands beyond initial projections.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure could pose operational risks.
- Ensuring consistent service quality across all NASA centers requires robust oversight.
Positive Signals
- Consolidation of services can lead to economies of scale and streamlined IT management.
- A firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the agency.
- Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive price was secured.
- The long-term nature of the contract allows for stable IT support and planning.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a critical component of the broader IT services industry. This sector involves providing expertise in designing, developing, and implementing IT solutions. The market for such services is large and competitive, with government contracts representing a significant portion. NASA's ODIN initiative is a prime example of a large-scale IT outsourcing effort aimed at modernizing and efficiently managing agency-wide infrastructure, reflecting a common trend in federal IT procurement.
Small Business Impact
The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. As a large-scale IT services contract awarded through full and open competition, the primary contractor, Lockheed Martin, would be responsible for managing subcontracting opportunities. It is possible that small businesses could be involved as subcontractors, contributing to the overall delivery of services, but this contract was not directly set aside for them.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a firm-fixed-price contract, NASA would focus on ensuring that Lockheed Martin met the defined scope of work, service level agreements, and delivery timelines. Accountability measures would be tied to contract performance clauses and reporting requirements. Transparency would be facilitated through contract award databases and potentially through NASA's internal procurement oversight processes.
Related Government Programs
- NASA IT Infrastructure Support
- Federal Desktop Services Contracts
- IT Modernization Programs
- Outsourced IT Management
- Computer Systems Design Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep
- Dependence on single vendor
- Service level agreement adherence
- Transition risks
Tags
it-services, desktop-support, nasa, lockheed-martin, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, computer-systems-design-services, outsourcing, infrastructure-management, district-of-columbia, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $49.8 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION. PROVIDE OUTSOURCING DESKTOP INITIATIVE FOR NASA (ODIN) DESKTOP SERVICES. THIS INCLUDES RESPONSIBILITY AND RISK FOR PROVIDING AND MANAGING THE VAST MAJORITY OF NASA'S DESKTOP, SERVER, AND INTRA-CENTER COMMUNICATION ASSETS AND SERVICES. ODIN WILL INCLUDE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ACQUISITION, AS WELL AS MAINTENANCE, HELPDESK, AND OTHER ANCILLARY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR GENERAL PURPOSE WORKSTATIONS FOR NASA CIVIL SERVANTS AND ON-SITE CONTRACTORS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION.
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 $49.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-09-01. End: 2011-10-31.
What was Lockheed Martin's track record with similar large-scale IT infrastructure contracts prior to or during the ODIN contract?
Lockheed Martin has a long history of providing complex IT and systems integration services to government agencies, including NASA. Prior to the ODIN contract, the company was involved in numerous large-scale projects encompassing network management, cybersecurity, software development, and enterprise IT solutions for various defense and civilian agencies. Their extensive experience in managing vast and critical IT infrastructures for organizations like the Department of Defense and other federal bodies suggests a strong capability to handle the scope and complexity of the ODIN initiative. Performance during the ODIN contract itself would be detailed in NASA's contract performance reports, which are not publicly available in this dataset but would be crucial for a complete assessment.
How does the average annual cost of the ODIN contract compare to similar federal desktop services contracts?
The ODIN contract's average annual cost of approximately $12.5 million needs to be benchmarked against comparable federal IT services contracts. Without specific details on the scope, number of users supported, and service level agreements (SLAs) of other contracts, a direct comparison is difficult. However, large federal agencies often spend tens of millions annually on comprehensive IT support. For instance, other agencies might have contracts for desktop management, network operations, and helpdesk services that range from $10 million to over $100 million depending on the agency's size and complexity. The ODIN contract appears to be within a typical range for a major federal IT outsourcing initiative, but a precise value-for-money assessment requires detailed comparative data on service scope and performance.
What were the primary risks identified for the ODIN contract, and how were they mitigated?
Key risks for a contract like ODIN typically include vendor lock-in, potential cost overruns if scope changes, operational disruptions during transition or service delivery, and ensuring consistent service quality across diverse NASA locations. Mitigation strategies would involve clearly defined contract terms, robust performance metrics and SLAs, regular performance reviews, and contingency planning for service continuity. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, provided the scope is well-managed. NASA's oversight would be critical in monitoring performance and addressing any emerging issues proactively to ensure the successful delivery of services and minimize operational impact.
How effective was the ODIN contract in achieving its goal of consolidating and managing NASA's desktop and communication assets?
The effectiveness of the ODIN contract in consolidating and managing NASA's IT assets would be measured by its ability to meet the defined objectives outlined in the contract's statement of work and performance work statement. Success factors would include improvements in system uptime, reduction in helpdesk response times, successful hardware and software lifecycle management, and enhanced cybersecurity posture across NASA's network. While the contract aimed for consolidation, the actual degree of success would depend on detailed performance metrics and NASA's internal assessments of IT operational efficiency and user satisfaction during the contract period. Without specific performance data, a definitive judgment on effectiveness cannot be made.
What was the historical spending trend for desktop and IT infrastructure services at NASA before the ODIN contract?
Before the ODIN contract, NASA likely managed its desktop and IT infrastructure services through a combination of in-house resources and potentially multiple, smaller contracts with various vendors. Historical spending trends would have reflected the decentralized nature of IT management across different NASA centers and directorates. The ODIN initiative itself was a strategic move to consolidate these efforts, suggesting that previous spending may have been less efficient or harder to track due to fragmentation. Analyzing pre-ODIN spending would involve examining budgets allocated to IT support, hardware/software procurement, and network maintenance across the agency to understand the baseline costs that ODIN aimed to streamline or reduce.
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
Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp (UEI: 834951691)
Address: 700 N FREDERICK AVE LOC B, GAITHERSBURG, MD, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $51,024,521
Exercised Options: $51,024,521
Current Obligation: $49,843,645
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS598145
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-09-01
Current End Date: 2011-10-31
Potential End Date: 2011-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-06-18
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