NASA's $15M CREW LAUNCH VEHICLE OPERATION Contract Awarded to Teledyne Brown Engineering
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,950,621 ($15.0M)
Contractor: Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2007-06-30
End Date: 2014-08-25
Contract Duration: 2,613 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Engineering Services
Official Description: CREW LAUNCH VEHICLE OPERATION
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35812
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $15.0 million to TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, INC. for work described as: CREW LAUNCH VEHICLE OPERATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded for CREW LAUNCH VEHICLE OPERATION services. 2. Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. is the sole contractor. 3. The contract spans over 7 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Spending is concentrated within Engineering Services (NAICS 541330).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award value is $14,950,620.86. Without specific unit costs or comparison data for similar launch vehicle operations, it's difficult to definitively assess if this pricing is excellent or concerning. Benchmarking against other NASA or aerospace engineering contracts would be necessary.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific award type is a 'Delivery Order' under a larger contract, the details of which are not provided here. This limits the insight into the price discovery for this specific order.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition suggests taxpayers likely benefited from competitive pricing, though the exact savings are not quantifiable from this data alone.
Public Impact
Supports critical space exploration and astronaut transport missions. Ensures the operational readiness and maintenance of crew launch vehicles. Contributes to the U.S. space program's ongoing activities and objectives. Potential for technological advancements in launch vehicle systems.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics.
- Limited insight into cost breakdown and profit margins.
- Potential for scope creep in long-term 'Time and Materials' contracts.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Long contract duration suggests sustained program support.
- Contractor has a history of supporting aerospace projects.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Engineering Services, a broad sector crucial for government operations, particularly in specialized fields like aerospace. The $14.95 million award is significant for a single delivery order, reflecting the complexity and importance of launch vehicle operations.
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 made available to small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms are expected to be applied to this contract. Regular reviews and audits would be standard to ensure compliance and cost-effectiveness, especially given the 'Time and Materials' pricing structure.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed service descriptions.
- Potential for cost overruns with T&M contract type.
- No indication of small business subcontracting.
- Limited transparency on specific performance metrics.
- Benchmarking data for pricing is unavailable.
Tags
engineering-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, al, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $15.0 million to TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, INC.. CREW LAUNCH VEHICLE OPERATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, 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 $15.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-06-30. End: 2014-08-25.
What specific engineering services were provided under this delivery order, and how do they align with the overall CREW LAUNCH VEHICLE OPERATION objectives?
The provided data lacks specifics on the exact engineering services rendered. However, given the contract title, these services likely encompass design, analysis, testing, integration, and maintenance support for the crew launch vehicle systems. These activities are fundamental to ensuring the safety, reliability, and operational readiness of the spacecraft for astronaut missions, directly contributing to NASA's core objectives in human spaceflight.
What were the key factors that led to Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. being selected through full and open competition for this significant contract?
Selection through full and open competition implies that Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. submitted the most advantageous proposal based on criteria set forth in the solicitation. This could include technical expertise, past performance, innovative solutions, and competitive pricing. The agency likely evaluated proposals against these factors to determine the best value for the government, ensuring a robust and fair selection process.
How does the 'Time and Materials' pricing structure impact the overall cost-effectiveness and taxpayer value for this long-term contract?
A 'Time and Materials' (T&M) contract can offer flexibility for evolving requirements but carries inherent risks for cost control. While it allows for payment based on actual labor hours and material costs, it can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored. For taxpayer value, rigorous oversight, clear task definitions, and effective negotiation of labor rates are crucial to prevent inefficiencies and ensure the final cost reflects the true value of services rendered.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (UEI: 112358432)
Address: 300 SPARKMAN DRIVE, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35805
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,972,088
Exercised Options: $14,972,088
Current Obligation: $14,950,621
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNM06AA10Z
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-06-30
Current End Date: 2014-08-25
Potential End Date: 2014-08-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-01-13
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