NASA's $371M ISS MAPI Contract Awarded to Barrios Technology Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $370,917,991 ($370.9M)
Contractor: Barrios Technology, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2012-10-01
End Date: 2020-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,921 days
Daily Burn Rate: $127.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF THE MISSION AND PROGRAM INTEGRATION (MAPI) CONTRACT PROVIDES PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO SUPPORT MISSION AND PROGRAM INTEGRATION AND NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE OPERATIONS FUNCTIONS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS)
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77058
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $370.9 million to BARRIOS TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF THE MISSION AND PROGRAM INTEGRATION (MAPI) CONTRACT PROVIDES PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO SUPPORT MISSION AND PROGRAM INTEGRATION AND NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE OPERATIONS FUNCTIONS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS) Key points: 1. The MAPI contract supports critical International Space Station (ISS) operations and integration. 2. Barrios Technology, LLC, a single awardee, secured this contract. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. This R&D contract spans nearly 8 years, from October 2012 to September 2020. 5. The total award value is approximately $370.9 million.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure incentivizes performance. While specific pricing benchmarks are not provided, the value appears reasonable for the extensive R&D and operational support required for the ISS over an eight-year period.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method aims to ensure the government receives competitive pricing by considering all eligible offerors.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process likely resulted in a fair price, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds allocated to this critical space exploration program.
Public Impact
Supports the continued operation and scientific advancement of the International Space Station. Ensures vital research and development activities are conducted in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Contributes to NASA's long-term goals for space exploration and utilization. Provides essential infrastructure support for a complex, multi-national program.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Award Fee contracts.
- Long contract duration may not fully account for evolving technological needs.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical mission support.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
- Contract structure incentivizes contractor performance through award fees.
- Supports a high-priority national asset (ISS).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement and scientific discovery, with significant government investment often required for long-term, complex projects like space exploration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were provided to small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by NASA, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. The use of award fees suggests performance monitoring is in place, but detailed oversight reports are not provided here.
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
- Contract duration may exceed the pace of technological advancement.
- Cost-plus award fee structure carries inherent risk of cost escalation.
- Lack of small business prime awardee.
- Single awardee for critical mission support.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, 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 $370.9 million to BARRIOS TECHNOLOGY, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF THE MISSION AND PROGRAM INTEGRATION (MAPI) CONTRACT PROVIDES PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO SUPPORT MISSION AND PROGRAM INTEGRATION AND NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE OPERATIONS FUNCTIONS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BARRIOS TECHNOLOGY, LLC.
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 $370.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2020-09-30.
How does the performance of Barrios Technology, LLC on this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar R&D and operational support services for complex space programs?
Without specific performance metrics or data on comparable contracts, it is difficult to definitively assess Barrios Technology's performance against industry benchmarks. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee structure implies that NASA has mechanisms to evaluate and reward performance. A deeper dive into NASA's contract performance reports and award fee determinations would be necessary for a comprehensive comparison.
What are the primary risks associated with the long duration and cost-plus nature of this contract, and how were they mitigated?
The primary risks include potential cost overruns due to the cost-plus structure and the possibility of the contract scope becoming misaligned with evolving technological needs over its nearly eight-year duration. Mitigation strategies likely involved robust contract management, regular performance reviews, and potentially contract modifications to adapt to changing requirements. The award fee component also incentivizes cost control and efficient performance.
To what extent did the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method effectively drive down costs and ensure the best value for taxpayers?
This procurement method generally promotes competition, which is a key driver for cost reduction and value maximization. By allowing all eligible sources to compete, NASA likely received a range of proposals and pricing, enabling selection of the most advantageous offer. However, the specific cost savings achieved compared to other potential competition methods cannot be determined without further analysis of the bidding process and final negotiated price.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNJ11401774R
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 16441 SPACE CTR BLVD STE B-100, HOUSTON, TX, 77058
Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $385,269,028
Exercised Options: $381,214,381
Current Obligation: $370,917,991
Actual Outlays: $69,186,413
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 13
Total Subaward Amount: $192,795,118
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-10-01
Current End Date: 2020-09-30
Potential End Date: 2020-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-04-22
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