NASA's $42.8M Avionics Contract Awarded to Charles Stark Draper Laboratory via Sole Source
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $42,855,576 ($42.9M)
Contractor: THE Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2006-02-01
End Date: 2010-11-30
Contract Duration: 1,763 days
Daily Burn Rate: $24.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: AVIONICS SYSTEMS ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77058, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $42.9 million to THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC. for work described as: AVIONICS SYSTEMS ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS Key points: 1. Significant investment in avionics systems engineering. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Contract duration of 1763 days suggests a long-term, complex project. 4. Focus on engineering services within the aerospace sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $42.8M for engineering services is substantial. Without comparable contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, assessing its value relative to similar services is difficult. The sole-source nature limits external price validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning full and open competition was not utilized. This approach can lead to higher prices as there is no competitive pressure to drive down costs or encourage innovative pricing strategies.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these avionics systems engineering services, as alternative, potentially more cost-effective solutions were not explored.
Public Impact
Impacts the development of critical aerospace technologies. Potential for advanced avionics systems that could influence future space missions. Government reliance on a single contractor for specialized engineering expertise.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
Positive Signals
- Specialized engineering expertise
- Long-term project commitment
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to aerospace and avionics. Benchmarking spending in this niche requires comparison with other government contracts for similar complex system development and analysis, which are often specialized.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc., a large entity. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this specific award, suggesting limited small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the contractor is delivering on all requirements and that costs are reasonable. NASA's procurement processes should be scrutinized for justification of the non-competitive award.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
- Cost-plus contract type may incentivize higher spending.
- Limited transparency on specific technical deliverables.
- Potential for vendor lock-in on critical technology.
Tags
engineering-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, tx, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $42.9 million to THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.. AVIONICS SYSTEMS ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, 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 $42.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-02-01. End: 2010-11-30.
What specific technical advancements or capabilities are expected from this $42.8M avionics engineering contract?
The contract is for avionics systems engineering development and analysis, suggesting it aims to advance the design, testing, and integration of flight control and navigation systems. Expected outcomes likely include improved system reliability, enhanced performance capabilities, and potentially the development of novel avionics architectures for future aerospace applications.
What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical avionics development?
The primary risks include inflated costs due to lack of competition, potential for vendor lock-in, and reduced incentive for innovation. There's also a risk that alternative, potentially superior or more cost-effective solutions might be overlooked. Oversight is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure fair pricing and quality.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type impact cost control and effectiveness for this project?
CPFF contracts aim to control costs by setting a fixed fee for the contractor's profit, while the government covers allowable costs. This can be effective for R&D where costs are uncertain. However, it still requires robust government oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and that the contractor is incentivized to manage expenses efficiently.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 555 TECHNOLOGY SQ, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02139
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $45,013,456
Exercised Options: $44,318,456
Current Obligation: $42,855,576
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-02-01
Current End Date: 2010-11-30
Potential End Date: 2010-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-08-05
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