NASA's $107M R&D contract with Amentum Technology, Inc. shows a decade-long engagement for research operations
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $107,269,534 ($107.3M)
Contractor: Amentum Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2004-01-30
End Date: 2014-01-31
Contract Duration: 3,654 days
Daily Burn Rate: $29.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: RESEARCH OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, AND ENGINEERING
Place of Performance
Location: HAMPTON, HAMPTON CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23681
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $107.3 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: RESEARCH OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, AND ENGINEERING Key points: 1. The contract spans over a decade, indicating a long-term need for these research operations, maintenance, and engineering services. 2. Amentum Technology, Inc. has held this contract for its entire duration, suggesting a stable, established relationship. 3. The contract type, Cost Plus Fixed Fee, can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. The significant duration and value suggest a critical role in supporting NASA's research endeavors. 5. The absence of small business set-asides warrants further investigation into subcontracting opportunities. 6. The contract's performance period ended in 2014, making current value-for-money assessments retrospective.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its age and the specific nature of R&D support services. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure means that costs were reimbursed, plus a fixed fee for profit. While this can be appropriate for R&D where costs are uncertain, it offers less incentive for cost efficiency compared to fixed-price contracts. Without detailed performance reports or comparisons to similar long-term R&D support contracts from the same era, a definitive value assessment is difficult. The total value of over $107 million over approximately 10 years suggests a substantial investment in sustaining research operations.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This approach is generally favorable for ensuring a competitive pricing environment and selecting the best value offer. However, the fact that Amentum Technology, Inc. held the contract for its entire duration suggests they were the incumbent and likely won subsequent delivery orders or modifications through a competitive process, or potentially were the sole awardee for the base contract.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and better service quality, reducing the risk of overpayment.
Public Impact
This contract directly supported NASA's research operations, maintenance, and engineering functions, likely enabling scientific discovery and technological advancement. The services provided were crucial for the day-to-day functioning of research facilities and projects. The geographic impact is primarily centered around NASA facilities where the research operations took place, likely within Virginia given the 'ST: VA' designation. The contract supported a workforce involved in specialized research support, maintenance, and engineering roles.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize cost escalation if not rigorously monitored.
- The long duration of the contract without apparent re-competition raises questions about sustained market competitiveness.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided over the contract's life.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- The contract's long tenure indicates a consistent need and potentially successful performance in meeting NASA's requirements.
- The contract supported critical research operations, contributing to NASA's mission objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on the physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for government innovation and technological advancement. The market for R&D support services is competitive, with many firms offering specialized expertise. NASA, as a major R&D agency, frequently contracts for such services to maintain its research infrastructure and execute complex projects. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale R&D support contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Defense or Department of Energy.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (SS: false, SB: false). This suggests that the primary award was likely made to a large business, Amentum Technology, Inc. While large contracts can offer subcontracting opportunities for small businesses, the absence of a specific set-aside means that small businesses were not prioritized for the prime contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation through subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight and auditing would be expected to ensure that costs claimed by the contractor were reasonable and allocable to the contract. NASA's internal procurement and program management offices would be responsible for monitoring performance and adherence to contract terms. Transparency would depend on NASA's reporting practices and the public availability of contract details and performance reports.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Engineering and Technical Services Contracts
- Operations and Maintenance Contracts
- Federal Research Support Services
Risk Flags
- Long-term sole-source potential (incumbency)
- CPFF contract type risk
- Lack of current performance data
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, virginia, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, operations-and-maintenance, engineering-services, long-term-contract, delivery-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $107.3 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC.. RESEARCH OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, AND ENGINEERING
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, 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 $107.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-01-30. End: 2014-01-31.
What was the specific nature of the 'Research Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering' services provided under this contract?
The contract, 'RESEARCH OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, AND ENGINEERING,' awarded to Amentum Technology, Inc. by NASA, likely encompassed a broad range of support activities essential for the functioning of NASA's research facilities and projects. This could include the operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment, specialized testing apparatus, and research infrastructure. Engineering services might have involved design, modification, or support for research experiments, as well as ensuring the reliability and safety of research environments. The 'operations' aspect suggests managing the day-to-day activities within these research settings, potentially including logistics, resource allocation, and coordination of personnel. Given the R&D focus (NAICS 541710), these services were integral to enabling scientific and technological advancements pursued by NASA.
How did the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure influence the total spending of $107 million?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure means that the contractor, Amentum Technology, Inc., was reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred in performing the contract, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure is often used for research and development or services where the scope of work and associated costs are difficult to define precisely at the outset. While the fixed fee provides a predictable profit margin for the contractor, the reimbursement of costs means that the total spending is directly tied to the actual expenses incurred. If costs were higher than anticipated due to unforeseen technical challenges, scope changes, or inefficiencies, the total spending would increase, capped by the overall contract value. Rigorous oversight by NASA would be crucial to ensure that all claimed costs were reasonable, allocable, and allowable to prevent unnecessary escalation of the total $107 million expenditure.
What does the long contract duration (2004-2014) imply about contractor performance and NASA's needs?
A contract duration of approximately ten years (January 2004 to January 2014) for 'Research Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering' services suggests a sustained and critical need for these capabilities within NASA. Such a long tenure typically indicates that the contractor, Amentum Technology, Inc., consistently met or exceeded performance expectations, fostering a strong working relationship with the agency. It also implies that the services provided were fundamental to NASA's ongoing research programs, rather than short-term or project-specific needs. From NASA's perspective, maintaining a stable support provider over a decade can offer continuity, institutional knowledge, and potentially cost efficiencies compared to frequent re-competition and transition periods. However, it also raises questions about whether the market was adequately explored for competitive pricing and innovation over such an extended period.
Were there any significant changes or modifications to the contract over its 10-year lifespan?
The provided data indicates a base contract with a significant duration and total value, along with '8' delivery orders (NO: 8). This suggests that while the core services remained consistent, the contract likely underwent modifications or tasking through these delivery orders. Delivery orders are typically used to specify the work to be performed under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) or a requirements contract. These orders would detail specific tasks, quantities, delivery schedules, and sometimes pricing adjustments for discrete periods or projects within the overall scope of 'Research Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering.' Without access to the details of each of the 8 delivery orders, it's impossible to ascertain the exact nature or magnitude of changes, but their existence points to an evolving set of requirements managed under the umbrella of this long-term contract.
What is the significance of the NAICS code 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences)?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541710 signifies that the primary purpose of this contract was to fund research and development activities within the physical sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, materials science), engineering disciplines (e.g., aerospace, mechanical, electrical), and life sciences (e.g., biology, medicine, environmental science). Contracts under this code typically involve systematic study to gain new knowledge and understanding, leading to the development of new products, processes, or services. For NASA, this code is highly relevant as much of its mission involves cutting-edge R&D. The 'Research Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering' services provided by Amentum Technology, Inc. were therefore directly in support of these core R&D efforts, ensuring the infrastructure and operational capabilities were in place for NASA scientists and engineers to conduct their work.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc
Address: 600 WILLIAM NORTHERN BLVD, TULLAHOMA, TN, 37388
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $111,186,271
Exercised Options: $111,186,271
Current Obligation: $107,269,534
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNL04AA03B
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-01-30
Current End Date: 2014-01-31
Potential End Date: 2014-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-04-11
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