NASA awards $366M to Science Applications International Corp for Safety and Mission Assurance Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $366,138,738 ($366.1M)
Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2006-05-01
End Date: 2014-10-31
Contract Duration: 3,105 days
Daily Burn Rate: $117.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Engineering Services
Official Description: SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77058
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $366.1 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $366M over 8 years. 2. Competition was full and open, indicating market availability. 3. Risk is moderate given the long duration and cost-plus award fee structure. 4. Services fall under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330).
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's total value of $366M over 8 years suggests a substantial need for these services. Pricing is assessed against similar engineering support contracts, with this award appearing within a reasonable range given the scope and duration.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to yield fair pricing, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds spent on essential safety and mission assurance.
Public Impact
Ensures the safety and success of critical NASA missions. Supports the integrity of complex space exploration and research programs. Provides essential technical expertise and oversight for government operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure can incentivize contractor performance but requires careful monitoring.
- Long contract duration (8 years) may lead to potential cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition ensures a competitive market.
- Award fee structure can drive high performance and innovation.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, which is crucial for government agencies like NASA. Spending benchmarks in this sector vary widely based on project complexity and duration, but $366M over 8 years for specialized support is significant.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (SB=false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought through subcontracting opportunities.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's oversight would involve NASA's program managers ensuring adherence to safety standards and mission objectives. The award fee mechanism also provides a performance-based oversight component.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPAF structure.
- Risk of contractor lock-in over the long contract duration.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical safety functions.
- Need for strong government oversight to manage performance and costs.
Tags
engineering-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, tx, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $366.1 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL 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 $366.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-05-01. End: 2014-10-31.
What specific safety and mission assurance functions are covered under this contract?
This contract likely encompasses a broad range of activities including risk assessment, systems engineering, quality assurance, reliability engineering, and independent verification and validation. It supports ensuring that NASA's complex missions and hardware meet stringent safety and performance requirements throughout their lifecycle.
How does the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure impact overall cost control and contractor accountability?
CPAF provides a base cost reimbursement plus a potential award fee based on performance against defined criteria. While it incentivizes high performance, it requires robust government oversight to set realistic award criteria and prevent cost creep. Effective management is key to ensuring value for money.
What is the potential impact of this long-term contract on NASA's ability to adapt to evolving technological needs?
A long-term contract like this provides stability for critical support services. However, NASA must ensure contract flexibility or utilize other mechanisms to incorporate new technologies and adapt to changing mission requirements. Regular reviews and potential modifications are essential.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › QUALITY CONTROL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1710 SAIC DR, MCLEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $367,171,876
Exercised Options: $367,171,876
Current Obligation: $366,138,738
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-05-01
Current End Date: 2014-10-31
Potential End Date: 2014-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-02-27
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