NASA's $42M International Space Station Communications Contract Awarded to L3Harris for Visiting Vehicle Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $41,967,822 ($42.0M)
Contractor: L3harris Cincinnati Electronics Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2012-08-21
End Date: 2019-06-03
Contract Duration: 2,477 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION COMMON COMMUNICATIONS FOR VISITING VEHICLES
Place of Performance
Location: MASON, WARREN County, OHIO, 45040
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $42.0 million to L3HARRIS CINCINNATI ELECTRONICS CORPORATION for work described as: INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION COMMON COMMUNICATIONS FOR VISITING VEHICLES Key points: 1. Contract focused on essential communication systems for visiting spacecraft to the ISS. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these specialized services. 3. The contract duration of approximately 2477 days (around 6.8 years) indicates a long-term need. 4. L3Harris, a significant defense and aerospace contractor, secured this award. 5. The contract type (Cost Plus Incentive Fee) suggests performance incentives were a key component. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code points to specialized manufacturing within the aerospace sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns and comparisons to similar, recent procurements for ISS communication systems. However, the award was made through full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. The Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contract type implies that the final cost could vary based on performance, potentially leading to cost savings if targets are met. Further analysis would require access to the contractor's proposed costs and the government's cost estimates.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under a 'full and open competition' solicitation, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a competitive environment for this specialized service. A higher number of bidders typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government, although the complexity of the technology and the specific requirements can limit the pool of qualified offerors.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award. It ensures that the government explored the market thoroughly to find the best value.
Public Impact
Astronauts and mission control benefit from reliable communication links for visiting spacecraft. Ensures the safety and operational efficiency of the International Space Station. Supports ongoing space exploration and research activities conducted on the ISS. The contract supports a specialized segment of the aerospace manufacturing workforce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Incentive Fee contracts if performance targets are not met efficiently.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical communication infrastructure could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
- The long contract duration may require careful monitoring to ensure continued technological relevance and cost-effectiveness.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
- L3Harris is an established contractor with experience in aerospace and defense systems.
- The contract's focus on essential ISS operations suggests a high degree of reliability and performance is expected and likely achieved.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on communication systems for space vehicles. The market for such specialized components is relatively niche, dominated by a few large, experienced defense and aerospace contractors. Spending in this area is driven by government space programs like the International Space Station, requiring highly reliable and technologically advanced solutions. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within other NASA or Department of Defense procurements for similar space-based communication or electronic systems.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Given the specialized nature of space communications technology and the large contract value, it is common for such procurements to be awarded to large, established aerospace firms. There is no direct information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, but it is possible that L3Harris may engage small businesses for specific components or services.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a Cost Plus Incentive Fee contract, NASA would closely monitor the contractor's costs and performance against established targets to ensure value for money and adherence to the contract terms. Transparency is typically managed through contract reporting requirements and potential audits. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- International Space Station Operations
- Space Communications Systems
- Aerospace Electronics Manufacturing
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Visiting Vehicle Program Support
Risk Flags
- Contract duration exceeds typical shorter-term service contracts.
- Cost Plus Incentive Fee structure requires close government monitoring.
- Specialized nature of technology may limit competition in future procurements.
Tags
nasa, international-space-station, communications-systems, aerospace-manufacturing, l3harris, cost-plus-incentive-fee, full-and-open-competition, visiting-vehicles, space-exploration, ohio, definitive-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $42.0 million to L3HARRIS CINCINNATI ELECTRONICS CORPORATION. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION COMMON COMMUNICATIONS FOR VISITING VEHICLES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is L3HARRIS CINCINNATI ELECTRONICS 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 $42.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-08-21. End: 2019-06-03.
What is L3Harris's track record with NASA and similar government contracts?
L3Harris Technologies, and its predecessor companies, have a long history of contracting with NASA and other government agencies, particularly in the aerospace and defense sectors. They are known for providing a wide range of products and services, including communication systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and space-related technologies. Their extensive experience suggests a strong understanding of government procurement processes and technical requirements. While specific performance metrics for this particular contract are not detailed here, L3Harris's general profile indicates they are a capable and established supplier for complex government programs. Further investigation into past performance reviews and award histories for similar contracts would provide a more granular assessment.
How does the $41.9 million value compare to similar communication system contracts for space vehicles?
Directly comparing the $41.9 million value to similar contracts is difficult without access to a comprehensive database of specialized space communication procurements. However, this figure appears to be a moderate investment for a multi-year contract supporting a critical function like ISS communications for visiting vehicles. Contracts for major space systems or launch services can run into hundreds of millions or billions of dollars. Conversely, smaller component procurements might be in the low millions. Given the duration (nearly 7 years) and the critical nature of ensuring reliable communication for docking and operational activities, the value suggests a significant but not exorbitant investment for the scope of work.
What are the primary risks associated with this type of Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contract?
Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contracts carry inherent risks for both the government and the contractor. For the government, the primary risk is that the final cost may exceed the target cost, even with incentives, if the contractor is unable to achieve efficiencies or if unforeseen technical challenges arise. This can lead to higher-than-anticipated spending. For the contractor, the risk lies in not meeting the performance targets, which would reduce their profit margin. Effective management and oversight by the government are crucial to mitigate these risks. This includes clearly defining performance metrics, establishing realistic target costs, and diligently monitoring the contractor's progress and expenditures throughout the contract lifecycle.
How effective are communication systems in ensuring the safety of the International Space Station and its crew?
Communication systems are absolutely critical for the safety and operational effectiveness of the International Space Station (ISS) and its crew. They enable constant contact between the astronauts on board and mission control centers on Earth, facilitating real-time decision-making, coordination of activities, and emergency response. For visiting vehicles (like cargo or crew spacecraft), reliable communication is paramount for safe approach, docking, and undocking procedures. Failures in these systems could lead to mission delays, operational inefficiencies, and, in worst-case scenarios, pose significant risks to the station and the lives of the astronauts. Therefore, robust and redundant communication capabilities are a fundamental requirement for space station operations.
What has been NASA's historical spending on ISS communication infrastructure?
NASA's spending on International Space Station (ISS) communication infrastructure has been substantial and ongoing since the station's inception. This includes the initial development and integration of communication systems, as well as continuous sustainment, upgrades, and support for visiting vehicles. While specific historical spending figures for 'communication infrastructure' as a distinct category are not readily available in summary form, it's understood that such systems represent a significant portion of the overall ISS operational budget. This contract, valued at approximately $42 million over nearly seven years, reflects the ongoing investment required to maintain and enhance these vital capabilities. NASA consistently allocates significant resources to ensure the reliable functioning of all ISS systems, including communications.
What is the significance of the NAICS code 'Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' for this contract?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 336419, 'Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing,' signifies that the primary business activity of the contractor, L3Harris Cincinnati Electronics Corporation, in relation to this contract, is the production of specialized parts and equipment used in the manufacturing or maintenance of guided missiles and space vehicles. This includes components like communication systems, sensors, propulsion parts, or other auxiliary equipment essential for space missions. For this specific contract, it indicates that the work involves providing critical communication hardware or related systems necessary for the operation and support of vehicles visiting the International Space Station, aligning with the broader aerospace manufacturing sector.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: SPACE VEHICLES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNJ12393918R
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE (V)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: L3 Technologies, Inc. (UEI: 008898884)
Address: 7500 INNOVATION WAY, MASON, OH, 45040
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $43,233,988
Exercised Options: $43,233,988
Current Obligation: $41,967,822
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-08-21
Current End Date: 2019-06-03
Potential End Date: 2019-06-03 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-02-27
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