NASA's $50M Security Contract with Excalibur Associates Faces Scrutiny Over Value and Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $50,260,534 ($50.3M)
Contractor: Excalibur Associates Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2012-01-01
End Date: 2017-04-30
Contract Duration: 1,946 days
Daily Burn Rate: $25.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR MSFC AND MAF TO INCLUDE PHYSICAL AND PERSONNEL SECURITY, INFORMATION SECURITY, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, TRAINING
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35812
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $50.3 million to EXCALIBUR ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR MSFC AND MAF TO INCLUDE PHYSICAL AND PERSONNEL SECURITY, INFORMATION SECURITY, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, TRAINING Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Excalibur Associates Inc. for protective services at MSFC and MAF represents a significant investment in security. 2. Competition details are unclear, raising questions about whether NASA secured the best possible price and service. 3. The fixed-price contract structure may limit flexibility but offers cost certainty. 4. The sector is critical for national security and space exploration, demanding robust and cost-effective solutions.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $50.3 million over approximately 5 years for security services appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for physical and personnel security is necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple bidders were considered. However, the specific details of the bidding process and how price discovery was achieved are not provided, making it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The effectiveness of the competition directly impacts taxpayer value. A robust competition should drive down costs and improve service quality, ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
Public Impact
Ensures physical and personnel security for critical NASA facilities (MSFC and MAF). Covers information security and emergency management, vital for operational continuity. Provides essential training for security personnel. Supports national security interests through protection of sensitive space program assets.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed competition analysis.
- Potential for price creep despite fixed-price contract.
- Limited insight into performance metrics and value realization.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Covers a broad range of essential security services.
- Long-term contract provides stability for security operations.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional and commercial management support services sector, specifically security services. Government spending in this area is consistently high due to national security and infrastructure protection needs. Benchmarks for similar contracts are essential for evaluating cost-effectiveness.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or prime contractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is primarily the responsibility of NASA's contracting officers and program managers. The effectiveness of this oversight depends on robust performance monitoring, regular reviews, and adherence to contractual obligations to ensure accountability and value for money.
Related Government Programs
- Security Guards and Patrol Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Insufficient information on bid range and selection criteria.
- Potential for cost overruns if scope changes.
- Limited transparency on subcontractor utilization.
Tags
security-guards-and-patrol-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, al, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $50.3 million to EXCALIBUR ASSOCIATES INC. PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR MSFC AND MAF TO INCLUDE PHYSICAL AND PERSONNEL SECURITY, INFORMATION SECURITY, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, TRAINING
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is EXCALIBUR ASSOCIATES 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 $50.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-01-01. End: 2017-04-30.
How does the per-unit cost of security personnel and services under this contract compare to industry benchmarks and similar government contracts?
Without specific breakdowns of personnel hours, roles, and rates, a direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging. However, the total contract value of $50.3 million over five years suggests an average annual spend of over $10 million. This figure needs to be benchmarked against the number of personnel, hours worked, and specific security services provided, relative to similar NASA or DoD contracts, to assess if it represents good value.
What specific metrics were used to evaluate Excalibur Associates' performance, and how were these metrics tied to contract renewals or adjustments?
The provided data does not detail the performance metrics used for this contract. Effective oversight typically involves key performance indicators (KPIs) related to response times, incident resolution, personnel training, and adherence to security protocols. The absence of this information raises concerns about the ability to objectively assess contractor performance and ensure accountability.
Given the full and open competition, what was the range of bids received, and what factors led to Excalibur Associates being selected as the winning bidder?
While the contract states 'full and open competition,' the specific bid range and the evaluation criteria used to select Excalibur Associates are not detailed. Understanding the competitive landscape, including the number of bidders and the scoring of technical and cost proposals, is crucial for confirming that the selection process yielded the best value for the government and taxpayers.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Guards and Patrol Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNM11374404Q
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 8687 W 108TH AVE, WESTMINSTER, CO, 80021
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $50,276,946
Exercised Options: $50,276,946
Current Obligation: $50,260,534
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(G)
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-01-01
Current End Date: 2017-04-30
Potential End Date: 2017-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-03-28
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