NASA's SMD Awards $13.7M for Programmatic Assessment and Monitoring Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,756,295 ($13.8M)
Contractor: THE Aerospace Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2016-09-07
End Date: 2019-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,118 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE (SMD) PROGRAMMATIC ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE INDEPENDENT PROGRAMMATIC AND TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT FUNCTIONS THAT CAN:(1) IDENTIFY AND ASSESS PROJECT RISKS WHETHER TECHNICAL, COST AND SCHEDULE RELATED AND PREDICT THE PROBABILITIES AND CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR REALIZATION; (2) PREDICT THE GROWTH OF PROJECT COSTS AND SCHEDULES OVER TIME DUE TO RISKS AND UNCERTAINTY; AND (3) COMMUNICATE RESULTS AND FINDINGS IN A CLEAR, CONCISE MANNER TO SMD PROGRAM EXECUTIVES (PES), PROGRAM ANALYSTS (PAS), THEME DIRECTORS, THE SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE (SMD) ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR (AA) AND STAFF MEMBERS AS NEEDED, THE CONTRACTOR SHALL ALSO: (1) CONDUCT MONTHLY MONITORING OF A DESIGNATED SUBSET OF THE MOST CHALLENGING AND COMPLEX FLIGHT PROJECTS AS THEY PROCEED THROUGH DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND IMPLEMENTATION IN TERMS OF THE EVOLUTION OF THEIR PROGRAMMATIC AND TECHNICAL RISKS, COST AT COMPLETION AND DELIVERY MILESTONES; (2) CONDUCT SPECIAL STUDIES AND ASSESSMENTS OF THE PAST PERFORMANCE OF FLIGHT PROGRAMS IN ORDER TO PREDICT BETTER SMDS FUTURE PERFORMANCE; AND (3) PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC ASSESSMENTS OF NON-FLIGHT SMD PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS.THE CONTRACTOR SHALL SUPPORT THE MISSION ANALYSIS ENGINEERING FUNCTION FOR SMD PROJECTS TO INCLUDE EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL, ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT TOOLS, PROCESSES AND REPORTING FUNCTIONS. ITS EFFORTS SHALL BE STRUCTURED TO ENSURE THAT THE NEEDED DATA, FINDINGS AND INSIGHTS ARE AVAILABLE IN A TIMELY MANNER TO SUPPORT SMD REVIEWS AND DECISION MAKING. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL DESIGNATE FOR EACH ASSIGNED SMD DIVISION OR THEME A MISSION ANALYSIS ENGINEER (MAE) WHO SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR COORDINATING ALL ANALYSES REQUIRED FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING FUNCTIONS OF THE DIVISION OR THEMES PROJECTS. EACH MAE SHALL: (1) MAINTAIN THE KNOWLEDGE BASE FOR THE DIVISIONS PROJECTS, INCLUDING FULL KNOWLEDGE OF ALL ON-GOING PROGRAMMATIC AND TECHNICAL ASSESSMENTS; (2) ENSURE THAT KEY ANALYSTS AND SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS ATTEND MAJOR MILESTONE AND SELECTED PROJECT REVIEWS; AND (3) PRESENT ANALYSES, FINDINGS AND INSIGHTS TO AUDIENCES IDENTIFIED BY SMD DECISION MAKERS.
Place of Performance
Location: EL SEGUNDO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90245
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $13.8 million to THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE (SMD) PROGRAMMATIC ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE INDEPENDENT PROGRAMMATIC AND TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT FUNCTIONS THAT CAN:(1) IDENTIFY AND ASSESS PROJECT RISKS WHETHER TECHNICAL, COST AND SCHEDULE RELATED AND PREDIC… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on identifying, assessing, and predicting project risks (technical, cost, schedule). 2. Services include cost and schedule growth prediction due to risks and uncertainty. 3. Contractor will communicate findings to various NASA Science Mission Directorate executives and staff. 4. This contract supports complex flight projects through monthly monitoring. 5. The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The total award is $13.7M, but without specific performance metrics or benchmarks for similar services, a precise value assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive bidding process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these critical programmatic assessment and monitoring services.
Public Impact
Ensures critical NASA science missions are monitored for risks and potential cost/schedule overruns. Provides early warning for technical and financial challenges in complex flight projects. Supports informed decision-making by NASA leadership through clear communication of findings. Contributes to the efficient use of taxpayer funds by mitigating project risks.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
Positive Signals
- Focuses on critical risk assessment for complex science missions.
- Provides essential monitoring and reporting for project success.
- Supports NASA's ability to manage and execute ambitious scientific endeavors.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The award amount of $13.7M is moderate for this sector, particularly for specialized programmatic support services.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to The Aerospace Corporation, a large entity. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract requires clear communication of findings to various levels of NASA leadership, suggesting a degree of oversight. However, the sole-source nature might reduce external oversight on the procurement process itself.
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
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited price discovery
- Lack of defined performance metrics for risk assessment effectiveness
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $13.8 million to THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE (SMD) PROGRAMMATIC ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE INDEPENDENT PROGRAMMATIC AND TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT FUNCTIONS THAT CAN:(1) IDENTIFY AND ASSESS PROJECT RISKS WHETHER TECHNICAL, COST AND SCHEDULE RELATED AND PREDICT THE PROBABILITIES AND CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR REALIZATION; (2) PREDICT THE GROWTH OF PROJECT COSTS AND SCHEDULES OVER TIME DUE TO RISKS AND UNCERTAINTY; AND (3) COMMUNICATE RESULTS AND FINDINGS IN A CLEAR, CONCISE MANNE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE AEROSPACE 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 $13.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2016-09-07. End: 2019-09-30.
What is the specific methodology used by the contractor to identify and assess project risks, and how is its effectiveness measured?
The contract mandates the contractor to identify and assess technical, cost, and schedule risks, predicting their probabilities and consequences. It also requires predicting cost and schedule growth due to risks. While the contract outlines these requirements, it does not specify the exact methodologies or performance metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of these assessments. Further details would likely be found in the contract's statement of work or performance work statement.
How does NASA ensure that the fixed fee in this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract is reasonable given the lack of competitive bidding?
In sole-source Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts, agencies typically rely on cost realism analyses and should negotiate the fixed fee based on historical data, industry standards, and the contractor's proposed profit margin. NASA would likely have conducted an independent cost estimate and negotiated the fee to be fair and reasonable, though the absence of competition inherently limits the agency's leverage in price discovery.
What is the long-term impact of relying on a single contractor for critical programmatic assessment and monitoring services for NASA's Science Mission Directorate?
Long-term reliance on a single contractor can lead to institutional knowledge concentration but also risks vendor lock-in and reduced innovation. It may also limit NASA's exposure to diverse approaches and potentially higher costs over time. Periodic re-evaluation and consideration of competitive procurements for such services are crucial to ensure continued value and access to best practices.
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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2310 EAST EL SEGUNDO BLVD, EL SEGUNDO, CA, 90245
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,865,866
Exercised Options: $13,865,866
Current Obligation: $13,756,295
Actual Outlays: $20,398
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNH11CD21B
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2016-09-07
Current End Date: 2019-09-30
Potential End Date: 2019-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-16
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