NASA's $44.6M Space Launch Engineering Services BPA with SAIC awarded competitively
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $44,641,407 ($44.6M)
Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-04-10
End Date: 2009-04-10
Contract Duration: 2,192 days
Daily Burn Rate: $20.4K/day
Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Engineering Services
Official Description: BPA SPACE LAUNCH INITIATIVES PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77058
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $44.6 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: BPA SPACE LAUNCH INITIATIVES PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized engineering services. 2. Competition was present, indicating potential for fair pricing. 3. Long duration suggests a sustained need for these services. 4. Focus on engineering services within the aerospace sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $44.6M over 6 years is substantial for specialized engineering. Benchmarking against similar NASA contracts for professional engineering services would be necessary for a precise assessment, but the competitive award suggests a reasonable price discovery process.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
Awarded as a competitive delivery order under a BPA, this indicates that multiple vendors likely competed for the task order. This competitive environment generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests taxpayers are likely receiving fair value for the engineering services procured.
Public Impact
Supports critical NASA missions requiring advanced engineering expertise. Ensures continued development and support for space launch initiatives. Contributes to the technological advancement in the aerospace industry.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or price escalation if not managed effectively.
- Reliance on a single firm (SAIC) for this specific BPA, though task orders may be competitive.
Positive Signals
- Competitive award process for the task order.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
- Significant value indicates critical need and potential for innovation.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a critical component of the aerospace industry. Spending in this area is often high due to the complexity and specialized nature of space exploration and launch technologies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to a large business (SAIC) and does not show specific set-asides for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was incorporated through subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by NASA, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. The competitive delivery order process suggests a degree of accountability in the procurement. However, ongoing monitoring of performance and costs is crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration
- Potential for scope creep
- Reliance on a single prime contractor for the BPA
- Lack of explicit small business participation noted
Tags
engineering-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, tx, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $44.6 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. BPA SPACE LAUNCH INITIATIVES PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.
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 $44.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-04-10. End: 2009-04-10.
What specific engineering disciplines are covered under this BPA, and how do they align with NASA's current and future mission needs?
The BPA covers professional engineering services, likely encompassing areas such as aerospace engineering, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. These disciplines are fundamental to the design, development, testing, and operation of space launch vehicles and related systems, directly aligning with NASA's core mission objectives for space exploration and scientific discovery.
What is the potential risk associated with the long duration of this contract (6 years) in terms of technological obsolescence or changing mission requirements?
A 6-year contract duration carries a moderate risk of technological obsolescence, especially in the rapidly evolving aerospace sector. Changing mission requirements or the emergence of new technologies could necessitate contract modifications or render some services less relevant. NASA's contract management would need to actively monitor these factors and incorporate flexibility where possible.
How effectively does the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type manage cost overruns for complex engineering services in a dynamic environment?
The FFP contract type is generally effective in controlling costs by shifting risk to the contractor. However, for highly complex and evolving engineering services, it can sometimes lead to contractors being hesitant to innovate or potentially cutting corners if unforeseen challenges arise. Robust oversight and clear performance metrics are essential to ensure quality and value under an FFP structure.
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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1710 SAIC DR, MCLEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $48,000,000
Exercised Options: $48,000,000
Current Obligation: $44,641,407
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS23F0107J
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-04-10
Current End Date: 2009-04-10
Potential End Date: 2009-04-10 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-03-01
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