NASA's $180M R&D contract with Amentum Technology, Inc. awarded in 2007, concluded in 2014
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $180,511,113 ($180.5M)
Contractor: Amentum Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2007-08-17
End Date: 2014-07-31
Contract Duration: 2,540 days
Daily Burn Rate: $71.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: CLIN 4.1 FIXED PRICE IDIQ
Place of Performance
Location: HAMPTON, HAMPTON CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23681
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $180.5 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: CLIN 4.1 FIXED PRICE IDIQ Key points: 1. The contract was a firm-fixed-price IDIQ, indicating a defined scope and payment structure. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. The contract duration was substantial, spanning over 2500 days. 4. The primary NAICS code points to research and development activities. 5. The contract was not set aside for small businesses. 6. The agency and the awarding office were both NASA. 7. The contract was a delivery order under an IDIQ vehicle.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable R&D projects. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that cost overruns were intended to be borne by the contractor. However, the total award amount of over $180 million over its lifespan indicates a significant investment. Without more granular data on deliverables and outcomes, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, implying that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This typically leads to a more competitive environment, potentially driving down prices and improving the quality of proposals. The presence of 8 bidders (no) suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this R&D requirement.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring that the government secures services at the most favorable price and quality achievable.
Public Impact
This contract likely supported advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences research. The primary beneficiary would be NASA, in its pursuit of scientific and technological innovation. The contract's impact on the workforce would be in the R&D sector, potentially employing scientists, engineers, and technicians. Geographic impact is likely concentrated around NASA facilities or research centers where the work was performed.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance outcomes makes it difficult to assess the full return on investment.
- The long duration of the contract could present challenges in adapting to evolving research needs.
- Firm-fixed-price contracts can sometimes disincentivize innovation if not carefully managed.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent procurement process.
- The existence of multiple bidders suggests market interest and potential for competitive pricing.
- The contract was a delivery order under an IDIQ, which can streamline future procurements.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically under NAICS code 541710, which covers physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D. This sector is characterized by innovation, long development cycles, and significant government investment. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific scientific domain, but large-scale R&D contracts are common across various federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to Amentum Technology, Inc., a larger entity, suggests that the primary focus was on technical capability rather than small business participation. This means the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific contract is likely minimal.
Oversight & Accountability
As a NASA contract, oversight would typically involve program managers, contracting officers, and potentially NASA's Office of Inspector General. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract implies that financial oversight would focus on ensuring deliverables meet specifications rather than managing cost-plus elements. Transparency would be governed by federal procurement regulations and NASA's internal policies.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Programs
- Federal Science and Technology Investments
- Aerospace Research Contracts
- Engineering Services Contracts
Risk Flags
- Contract Duration
- Lack of Specific Performance Metrics
- Firm-Fixed-Price R&D Complexity
Tags
nasa, research-and-development, physical-sciences, engineering, life-sciences, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, amentum-technology-inc, virginia, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $180.5 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC.. CLIN 4.1 FIXED PRICE IDIQ
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 $180.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-08-17. End: 2014-07-31.
What specific R&D projects were undertaken under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the exact R&D projects. However, the NAICS code 541710 indicates that the work involved 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.' Given the agency is NASA, these projects likely pertained to areas such as aerospace engineering, materials science, propulsion systems, space exploration technologies, or related scientific disciplines. Further investigation into NASA's research portfolios during the 2007-2014 period would be necessary to identify the specific scientific or technological advancements pursued under this contract.
How does the $180 million award compare to similar NASA R&D contracts during that period?
Comparing the $180 million award requires context on the typical scale of NASA's R&D contracts. NASA often engages in large, multi-year R&D efforts, particularly in areas like space exploration, aeronautics, and Earth science. Contracts in the hundreds of millions of dollars are not uncommon for major research initiatives or technology development programs. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze the average award values for contracts with similar NAICS codes (541710) and durations awarded by NASA between 2007 and 2014, considering factors like contract type and scope.
What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and were they met?
The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. For a firm-fixed-price IDIQ contract focused on R&D, KPIs would typically relate to the successful completion of research milestones, delivery of prototypes, technical reports, or achievement of specific scientific objectives. Assessing whether these were met would require access to contract performance reports, final acceptance documentation, and potentially NASA's internal evaluations of Amentum Technology, Inc.'s performance during the contract period.
What is Amentum Technology, Inc.'s track record with NASA for R&D contracts?
The data indicates Amentum Technology, Inc. (or its predecessor entities) held this significant R&D contract with NASA. To assess their broader track record, one would need to examine other contracts awarded to Amentum by NASA, particularly those within the R&D sphere. This would involve looking at contract values, durations, performance ratings, and any history of disputes or contract modifications. A comprehensive review would reveal patterns in their ability to deliver on complex research and development requirements for NASA.
What was the total spending by NASA on R&D (NAICS 541710) during the contract period (2007-2014)?
The provided data focuses solely on this specific contract. To determine NASA's total R&D spending under NAICS 541710 between 2007 and 2014, one would need to access broader federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov or FPDS) and aggregate all contracts awarded by NASA falling under this code for the specified timeframe. This would provide a macro view of NASA's investment in this R&D area and allow for a comparison of this single contract's value relative to the agency's overall R&D expenditure.
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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
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: $329,850,000
Exercised Options: $329,850,000
Current Obligation: $180,511,113
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNL04AA03B
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-08-17
Current End Date: 2014-07-31
Potential End Date: 2014-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-04-11
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