NASA's $371.5M IGF MO&I Contract for Spaceflight Operations Support Awarded to Teledyne Brown Engineering
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $371,501,689 ($371.5M)
Contractor: Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2013-03-01
End Date: 2022-12-31
Contract Duration: 3,592 days
Daily Burn Rate: $103.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF MISSION OPERATIONS AND INTEGRATION (MO&I) CONTRACT. THIS CONTRACT INVOLVES OPERATIONS SUPPORT FOR ALL PHASES OF FLIGHT INCLUDING MISSION PREPARATION, CREW AND FLIGHT CONTROLLER TRAINING, AND REAL-TIME OPERATIONS REQUIREMENTS FOR SPACEFLIGHT OPERATIONS SUPPORT. THE CORE SERVICES PORTION OF THE CONTRACT ESTABLISHES REQUIREMENTS FOR PAYLOAD OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS) PROGRAM, WHILE TASK ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY (IDIQ) COMPONENT WILL PROVIDE THE CAPABILITY TO ADD OPERATIONS SUPPORT FOR OTHER PROGRAM OR PROJECT REQUIREMENTS.
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35812
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $371.5 million to TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF MISSION OPERATIONS AND INTEGRATION (MO&I) CONTRACT. THIS CONTRACT INVOLVES OPERATIONS SUPPORT FOR ALL PHASES OF FLIGHT INCLUDING MISSION PREPARATION, CREW AND FLIGHT CONTROLLER TRAINING, AND REAL-TIME OPERATIONS REQUIREMENTS FOR SPACEFLIGHT OPERATIONS SUPPORT. THE CO… Key points: 1. Contract provides critical operations support for all phases of spaceflight, including mission preparation, training, and real-time operations. 2. Services encompass payload operations for the International Space Station (ISS) and can be extended to other program requirements via task orders. 3. The contract's cost-plus-award-fee structure incentivizes performance and cost control. 4. Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust market for these specialized services. 5. The duration of nearly 10 years suggests a long-term need for these capabilities. 6. Geographic concentration in Alabama highlights a regional hub for spaceflight operations support.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total contract value of $371.5 million over approximately 10 years averages to about $37 million annually. This appears reasonable for complex, long-term spaceflight operations support, which requires highly specialized personnel and infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar large-scale NASA support contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the scope and duration suggest a competitive pricing strategy was likely employed.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple capable contractors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bidders indicates a degree of competition, which generally benefits the government by fostering competitive pricing and encouraging innovation. The specific details of the bidding process and the number of proposals received would offer further insight into the intensity of the competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to better pricing for taxpayers as contractors vie to offer the most competitive proposals. This mechanism helps ensure that government funds are used efficiently by leveraging market forces.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's mission by ensuring the smooth and successful execution of spaceflight operations. Delivers essential services for the International Space Station (ISS) program, supporting ongoing scientific research and operations. Supports workforce development and employment in Alabama, a key state for aerospace and space exploration. Enables the continuity of critical spaceflight operations, contributing to national capabilities in space.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in cost-plus-award-fee contracts if not rigorously managed.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical, long-duration operations could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
- The long contract duration may limit opportunities for incorporating newer technologies or approaches from other potential vendors.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a healthy market and competitive pricing.
- The contract's structure incentivizes performance through award fees, aligning contractor goals with NASA's objectives.
- The long-term nature of the contract provides stability and continuity for essential spaceflight operations.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically focusing on operations support for spaceflight. The market for such specialized services is relatively niche, dominated by a few large aerospace and defense contractors with the requisite expertise and security clearances. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining its operational capabilities and advancing space exploration, with comparable contracts often involving extensive engineering, integration, and mission support.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit indication of significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data. The nature of these highly specialized spaceflight operations typically requires large, established firms with extensive experience. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by NASA, which has established oversight mechanisms for its procurements. The Inspector General's office provides an additional layer of oversight to ensure accountability and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award notices and public reporting, though specific performance metrics and detailed cost breakdowns may be sensitive.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Mission Operations
- International Space Station (ISS) Support
- Spaceflight Systems Engineering
- Aerospace Research and Development
- Government Contracting
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may lead to technology obsolescence.
- Cost-plus-award-fee contracts require diligent oversight to manage costs.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical operations.
Tags
nasa, spaceflight-operations, iss, research-and-development, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-award-fee, definitive-contract, alabama, teledyne-brown-engineering, mission-support, aerospace
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $371.5 million to TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING, INC.. IGF::CT::IGF MISSION OPERATIONS AND INTEGRATION (MO&I) CONTRACT. THIS CONTRACT INVOLVES OPERATIONS SUPPORT FOR ALL PHASES OF FLIGHT INCLUDING MISSION PREPARATION, CREW AND FLIGHT CONTROLLER TRAINING, AND REAL-TIME OPERATIONS REQUIREMENTS FOR SPACEFLIGHT OPERATIONS SUPPORT. THE CORE SERVICES PORTION OF THE CONTRACT ESTABLISHES REQUIREMENTS FOR PAYLOAD OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS) PROGRAM, WHILE TASK ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY
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 $371.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-03-01. End: 2022-12-31.
What is the historical spending pattern for this specific contract or similar operations support contracts at NASA?
The provided data indicates a total award value of $371,501,689.28 for the IGF Mission Operations and Integration (MO&I) Contract, spanning from March 1, 2013, to December 31, 2022. This represents an average annual expenditure of approximately $37.15 million. While specific historical spending for prior, analogous contracts is not detailed here, NASA consistently invests significant resources in mission operations and support. This includes funding for ground systems, mission control centers, and specialized personnel required for the successful execution of spaceflight missions, particularly for long-duration programs like the ISS. The consistent, multi-year funding for such contracts underscores the critical and ongoing nature of these services to NASA's objectives.
How does the pricing of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar spaceflight operations support services?
Benchmarking the pricing for this $371.5 million contract requires detailed comparison with similar large-scale, long-term spaceflight operations support contracts. Given the specialized nature of services like mission preparation, crew training, and real-time operations for programs like the ISS, pricing is heavily influenced by technical expertise, security requirements, and infrastructure. The contract type, Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), suggests that the government pays allowable costs plus a fee that is influenced by performance. While the average annual cost of approximately $37 million appears substantial, it may be competitive within the niche aerospace sector, where such complex operations are typically managed by a limited number of highly qualified contractors. A definitive assessment would necessitate access to pricing data from comparable contracts awarded by NASA or other space agencies.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Teledyne Brown Engineering's performance under this contract?
While specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided summary, Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts inherently tie a portion of the contractor's compensation to performance. NASA likely establishes specific technical, schedule, and cost-related metrics that Teledyne Brown Engineering must meet or exceed. These could include metrics related to mission success rates, timeliness of operations support, accuracy of data analysis, effectiveness of training programs, and adherence to budget constraints. The 'award fee' component suggests that performance above a certain baseline level results in increased compensation, incentivizing the contractor to achieve high standards across critical operational areas. NASA's program office would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs and determining the award fee amount.
What is the track record of Teledyne Brown Engineering in performing similar large-scale government contracts, particularly with NASA?
Teledyne Brown Engineering has a significant history of supporting NASA and other government agencies with complex engineering and operational services. They have been involved in numerous spaceflight programs, including significant contributions to the International Space Station (ISS) and other NASA missions. Their experience often spans areas such as payload integration, mission operations, systems engineering, and scientific research support. The award of this substantial IGF MO&I contract, valued at over $371 million, indicates NASA's confidence in Teledyne Brown Engineering's capabilities and past performance. Their long-standing presence in the aerospace sector suggests a proven ability to manage large, technically demanding contracts and deliver critical services.
What are the potential risks associated with the long duration (nearly 10 years) of this contract?
The nearly 10-year duration of this contract presents several potential risks. Firstly, technology evolves rapidly, and a decade-long contract might not fully leverage the latest advancements in spaceflight operations technology, potentially leading to less efficient or outdated methods being used. Secondly, long-term reliance on a single contractor could reduce competitive pressure over time, potentially impacting innovation and cost-effectiveness in later years. Thirdly, changes in program requirements or strategic direction within NASA over such an extended period might necessitate costly contract modifications or lead to misalignment between the contract's scope and evolving needs. Finally, maintaining consistent performance and motivation from the contractor over such a long period requires continuous and robust oversight.
How does this contract contribute to NASA's broader strategic goals in space exploration and utilization?
This contract is fundamental to NASA's strategic goals by providing the essential operational backbone for spaceflight, particularly for the International Space Station (ISS). The IGF MO&I contract ensures the continuity of critical functions such as mission preparation, crew training, and real-time operations management. This stability is crucial for ongoing scientific research aboard the ISS, which contributes to understanding human health in space, developing new technologies, and preparing for future deep-space missions. By supporting the ISS, the contract directly enables NASA's objectives related to international collaboration, long-duration spaceflight experience, and the development of capabilities needed for lunar and Martian exploration. The flexibility to extend support to other programs also allows NASA to adapt its operational capabilities to new initiatives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
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: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
Address: 300 SPARKMAN DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35805
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $375,038,084
Exercised Options: $375,038,042
Current Obligation: $371,501,689
Actual Outlays: $151,321,023
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 645
Total Subaward Amount: $952,511,769
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-03-01
Current End Date: 2022-12-31
Potential End Date: 2022-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-05
More Contracts from Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
- Systems Development&operations Support a Primary Mission of the Marshall Space Flight Center (msfc) IS to Support Nasa's Human Exploration and Development of Space (heds) Enterprise and the Office of Biological and Physical Research (obpr) Enterprise WHO ARE Working Together to Facilitate Long-Term Exploration of Space. Msfc Serves AS Nasa's Lead Center for the Materials Science and Biotechnology Disciplines and Serves Other Customers and Sponsors Within the Agency. the Purposes of This Contract ARE to Further the Science Goals of the Agency by 1) Developing, Operating and Maintaining Facilities and Payloads on the International Space Station (ISS) and Other Vehicles and Carriers, 2) Providing Science, Technical and Engineering Support to Investigators, and 3) Providing Management and Administrative Support to Msad. the Contractor Shall Provide the Necessary Management, Personnel, and Equipment/Supplies (NOT Otherwise Provided by the Government) Required to Perform the Engineering, Science and Technical Tasks Broadly Defined in This Statement of Work (SOW) and More Specifically Described in the Task/Delivery Order (order) and Technical Directives Issued by the Government. the Contractor Shall Provide the Planning, Coordination, Technical Direction, and Surveillance of the Activities Necessary to Assure Disciplined Performance of Work and Timely Application of Resources for the Accomplishment of ALL Orders Issued Under the Contract Approved by Msad. the Contractor Shall Establish, Implement, and Maintain a Financial Reporting System in Accordance With the Nasa FAR Supplement (NFS) 1852.242-73 and Nasa Procedures and Guidelines (NPG) 9501.2D. the Contractor Shall Provide the Overall Management Effort Required to Integrate Technical and Programmatic Functions Necessary for Achievement of the Objectives of the Contract. the Contractor Shall Develop, Submit, and Maintain Detailed Master Schedules Based on a Logic Driven Network That Supports Applicable Msad Project and ISS Program Managed Milestones. the Contractor Shall BE Responsible for Procurement Functions: the Contractor Shall Create, Maintain and Submit in the Format Specified by Msad, Miscellaneous Graphics, Presentations and Reports Supporting the Payloads and the Research Program, and the Major Msad Program Activities and Milestones. the Contractor Shall Define, Design, Develop, Fabricate, Assemble, Test, Deliver, Integrate and Operate Microgravity Science Payloads and Facilities. the Contractor Shall Define the Resources, Structure, Approach, and Processes Required to Complete the Final Design, Development, Fabrication, Assembly, Test, Integration, Operation, Maintenance, Support, and Retirement of the Required Hardware, Software, and Associated Infrastructure. the Contractor Shall Support or Conduct Technical Reviews Appropriate for Individual Payload Development and to Meet the Requirements of the Order — $397.2M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Marshall Operations Systems, Services, and Integration II (mossi II) — $253.6M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Production of FMS Boats U1, U2, and U3 — $237.7M (Department of Defense)
- Launch Vehicle/Stages Adapter — $205.5M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- THE Contractor Shall Develop a Single Inclusive, Modular Scalable, Reconfigurable, and Composable OSF Framework to Merge System Level M&S. the OSF Framework Shall BE Designed to BE Multiple-Instanced With Each Instance Capable of Being Composed and Executed Independently. the OSF Shall BE Designed and Developed to Support Bmds M&S USE Cases Including Ground Test, Performance Assessment, WAR Games, Exercises and Training Events — $99.6M (Department of Defense)
View all Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. federal contracts →
Other National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracts
- International Space Station — $22.4B (THE Boeing Company)
- TAS::80 0124::TAS Design, Development, Test&evaluation of Project Orion — $15.5B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- Provide Developmental Hardware and Test Articles, and Manufacture and Assemble Ares I Upper Stages. the Upper Stage (US) Element IS an Integral Part of the Ares I Launch Vehicle and Provides the Second Stage of Flight. the US Element IS Responsible for the Roll Control During the First Stage Burn and Separation; and Will Provide the Guidance and Navigation, Command and Data Handling, and Other Avionics Functions for the Ares I During ALL Phases of the Ascent Flight. the US Element IS a NEW Design That Emphasizes Safety, Operability, and Minimum Life Cycle Cost. the Overall Design, Development, Test and Evaluation (ddt&e), Production, and Sustaining Engineering Efforts Include Activities Performed by Three Organizations; the Nasa Design Team (NDT), the Upper Stage Production Contractor (uspc) and the Instrument Unit Production Contractor (iupc). for Clarity, the Uspc Will BE Referred to AS the Contractor Throughout This Document. Nasa IS Responsible for the Integration of the Primary Elements of the Ares I Launch Vehicle Including: the First Stage, US Including Instrument Unit (IU), and US Engine; and Will Also Integrate the Ares I Launch Vehicle AT the Launch Site. Nasa IS Responsible for the Ddt&e, Including Technical and Programmatic Integration of the US Subsystems and Government-Furnished Property. Nasa Will Lead the Effort to Develop the Requirements and Specifications of the US Element, the Development Plan and Testing Requirements, and ALL Design Documentation, Initial Manufacturing and Assembly Process Planning, Logistics Planning, and Operations Support Planning. Development, Qualification, and Acceptance Testing Will BE Conducted by Nasa and the Contractor to Satisfy Requirements and for Risk Mitigation. Nasa IS Responsible for the Overall Upper Stage Verification and Validation Process and Will Require Support From the Contractor. the Contractor IS Responsible for the Manufacture and Assembly of the Upper Stage Test Flight and Operational Upper Stage Units Including the Installation of Upper Stage Instrument Unit, the Government-Furnished US Engine, Booster Separation Motors, and Other Government-Furnished Property. a Description of the Nasa Managed and Performed Efforts IS Contained in the US Work Packages and Will BE Made Available to the Contractor to Ensure Their Understanding of the Roles and Responsibilities of the NDT, Iupc, and Contractor During the Design, Development, and Operation of the US Element. the US Conceptual Design Described in the Uso-Clv-Se-25704 US Design Definition Document (DDD) IS the Baseline Design for This Contract. the Contractors Early Role Will BE to Provide Producibility Engineering Support to Nasa VIA the Established US Office Structure and to Provide Inputs Into the Final Design Configuration, Specifications, and Standards. Nasa Will Transition the Manufacturing and Assembly, Logistics Support Infrastructure, Configuration Management, and the Sustaining Engineering Functions to the Contractor AT the KEY Points During the Development and Implementation of the Program Currently Planned to Occur NO Later Than 90 Days After the Completion of the Following Major Milestones: Manufacturing and Assembly US Preliminary Design Review (PDR) Logistics Support Infrastructure US PDR Configuration Management US Critical Design Review CDR) Sustaining Engineering US Design Certification Review (DCR) After the Completion of an Orderly Transition of Roles and Responsibilities to the Contractor, Nasa Will Assume an Insight Role Into the Contractors Production, Sustaining Engineering, and Operations Support of the Ares I US Test Program and Flight Hardware. After DCR, the Contractor Will BE Responsible for Sustaining Engineering PER SOW Section 4.7, AS Necessary to Maintain and Support the US Configuration and for Production and Operations Support — $10.5B (THE Boeing Company)
- Space Program Operations Contract (spoc) — $8.5B (United Space Alliance, LLC)
- Joint Us/Russian Human Space Flight Activities — $4.7B (Russia Space Agency)
View all National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracts →