NASA awards $237M contract for Safety and Mission Assurance support over 10 years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $237,371,679 ($237.4M)
Contractor: Bastion Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2007-02-01
End Date: 2017-11-30
Contract Duration: 3,955 days
Daily Burn Rate: $60.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PROVIDE SUPPORT OF THE SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE OFFICE AT MSFC, STENNIS AND OTHER SITES AS NEEDED
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35812
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $237.4 million to BASTION TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: PROVIDE SUPPORT OF THE SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE OFFICE AT MSFC, STENNIS AND OTHER SITES AS NEEDED Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Bastion Technologies, Inc. for extensive safety and mission assurance services. 2. Significant 10-year duration suggests a long-term need for specialized technical support. 3. The contract's cost-plus award fee structure incentivizes performance but requires careful oversight. 4. Spending falls within the R&D sector, specifically for physical, engineering, and life sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award value of $237.4M over 10 years averages $23.7M annually. This appears reasonable for specialized safety and mission assurance support across multiple NASA facilities.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a competitive process but with specific source exclusions. This method may limit the pool of potential bidders, potentially impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for critical safety and mission assurance functions, essential for the success of NASA's complex projects.
Public Impact
Ensures the safety and reliability of NASA missions, protecting personnel and assets. Supports critical research and development activities across multiple NASA centers. Provides specialized technical expertise vital for complex engineering and scientific endeavors. Contributes to the overall success and integrity of the U.S. space program.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 60 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
- Limited competition may not yield the best possible pricing.
- Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or outdated requirements.
Positive Signals
- Essential support for critical NASA safety and mission assurance functions.
- Awarded to a single contractor for consistency across multiple sites.
- Performance-based fee structure incentivizes contractor success.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541710. Annual spending of approximately $23.7M is within the typical range for specialized scientific and engineering support services for government agencies.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Bastion Technologies, Inc., which is not listed as a small business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting goals or performance within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure necessitates robust oversight from NASA to ensure contractor performance aligns with objectives and to manage costs effectively. Regular performance reviews and audits are crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPAF structure.
- Limited competition may impact price competitiveness.
- Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep or outdated requirements.
- Contractor is not a small business, raising questions about SMB participation.
- Lack of detail on 'exclusion of sources' methodology.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, al, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $237.4 million to BASTION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. PROVIDE SUPPORT OF THE SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE OFFICE AT MSFC, STENNIS AND OTHER SITES AS NEEDED
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BASTION TECHNOLOGIES, 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 $237.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-02-01. End: 2017-11-30.
What specific metrics are used to determine the 'award fee' for Bastion Technologies, Inc. to ensure alignment with NASA's mission assurance goals?
The award fee is typically determined by NASA's evaluation of the contractor's performance against pre-defined criteria outlined in the contract. These criteria often include technical execution, schedule adherence, cost control, and overall contribution to mission success. Specific metrics would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work and performance evaluation plan, ensuring alignment with NASA's stringent safety and mission assurance objectives.
Given the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition, what steps were taken to ensure that the selected contractor, Bastion Technologies, Inc., offered the best value and competitive pricing?
While the specific details of the 'exclusion of sources' are not provided, the agency likely justified the exclusion based on unique capabilities, past performance, or specific technical requirements. The competitive process among the remaining eligible sources, coupled with negotiation and evaluation of proposals against established criteria, would have been employed to secure the best value and competitive pricing within the defined parameters.
How does NASA ensure that the long-term nature of this contract (10 years) does not lead to complacency or a decline in the quality of safety and mission assurance support provided?
NASA employs continuous performance monitoring and management throughout the contract's lifecycle. Regular reviews, performance assessments against the award fee criteria, and opportunities for contractor feedback are standard practices. The CPAF structure itself incentivizes sustained high performance, and NASA reserves the right to adjust future award fees based on ongoing evaluations, mitigating the risk of complacency over the long term.
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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 17625 EL CAMINO REAL STE 330, HOUSTON, TX, 77058
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $375,272,189
Exercised Options: $375,272,189
Current Obligation: $237,371,679
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-02-01
Current End Date: 2017-11-30
Potential End Date: 2017-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-08-17
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