NASA awards $7.5M for administrative support, with PCI Productions LLC securing the contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,528,146 ($7.5M)
Contractor: PCI Productions LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-05-01
End Date: 2026-04-30
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES TO ARMSTRONG FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER AND B703 IN SUPPORT OF TECH PUBS OFFICE, OFFICE OF INTERNAL CONTROL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND CENTER WIDE ADMIN AND BUSYNESS SYSTEMS SUPPORT.
Place of Performance
Location: EDWARDS, KERN County, CALIFORNIA, 93523
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $7.5 million to PCI PRODUCTIONS LLC for work described as: CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES TO ARMSTRONG FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER AND B703 IN SUPPORT OF TECH PUBS OFFICE, OFFICE OF INTERNAL CONTROL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND CENTER WIDE ADMIN AND BUSYNESS SYSTEMS SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential administrative and business systems support. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is two years, ending in April 2026. 4. The award value is approximately $7.5 million. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty. 6. The primary service area is Office Administrative Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $7.5 million for two years of administrative support appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar administrative support contracts across federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps manage cost overruns, but the specific pricing details and profit margins are not publicly available for direct comparison.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that multiple potential bidders were considered and allowed to compete. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: This competitive approach is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at a fair market price and encourages efficiency among contractors.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center and associated offices. Ensures continuity of critical administrative and business systems support. Supports the Tech Pubs Office and Office of Internal Control Management Systems. Impacts the operational efficiency of the center's administrative functions. Likely involves local workforce in California for service delivery.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical administrative functions.
- Scope creep could increase costs beyond the initial award value.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process.
- Contract duration allows for stable service provision.
- Clear service requirements outlined in the contract.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the administrative and support services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide range of professional and business services. The market for these services is highly competitive, with numerous small, medium, and large businesses capable of providing such support. NASA's spending in this area is consistent with the operational needs of its research centers, ensuring essential functions are maintained.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, PCI Productions LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. This suggests that the competition was open to all qualified vendors, regardless of size. There is no immediate indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within this specific award, though it remains a possibility for larger contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contracting officers and program managers at Armstrong Flight Research Center. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the contractor to deliver services within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Administrative Support Services
- Federal Office Administrative Services
- Research Center Support Contracts
- Information Management Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for performance issues if contractor lacks adequate resources.
- Risk of scope creep impacting budget and timeline.
- Dependence on contractor personnel for critical functions.
Tags
nasa, armstrong-flight-research-center, administrative-support, office-administrative-services, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, california, it-support, professional-services, service-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $7.5 million to PCI PRODUCTIONS LLC. CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES TO ARMSTRONG FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER AND B703 IN SUPPORT OF TECH PUBS OFFICE, OFFICE OF INTERNAL CONTROL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND CENTER WIDE ADMIN AND BUSYNESS SYSTEMS SUPPORT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PCI PRODUCTIONS LLC.
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 $7.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-05-01. End: 2026-04-30.
What is the track record of PCI Productions LLC in performing similar administrative support services for federal agencies?
PCI Productions LLC's track record in performing similar administrative support services for federal agencies is a key factor in assessing performance risk. While the provided data confirms their selection for this NASA contract, a deeper dive into their past performance history, including client satisfaction ratings, past performance questionnaires, and any history of contract disputes or terminations, would offer a more comprehensive view. Agencies typically review a contractor's past performance as a significant part of the source selection process. Without specific details on their prior contracts, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and expertise in delivering high-quality administrative support.
How does the awarded value compare to similar administrative support contracts at other NASA centers or federal agencies?
The awarded value of approximately $7.5 million over two years for administrative support services at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center needs to be benchmarked against comparable contracts to assess value for money. Similar contracts at other NASA centers or agencies like the Department of Defense or General Services Administration, which procure similar office administrative services, can serve as benchmarks. Factors such as the specific services required, the geographic location, the level of security clearance needed, and the complexity of the systems supported can influence pricing. A preliminary assessment suggests the value is within a typical range for such services, but a detailed comparative analysis with contracts of similar scope and duration would provide a more definitive conclusion on whether this represents excellent, good, or fair value.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
Primary risks associated with this administrative support contract include potential service disruptions if the contractor fails to meet performance standards, cost overruns if the scope expands beyond the initial requirements (though mitigated by FFP), and challenges in knowledge transfer if personnel turnover is high. Mitigation strategies likely include robust performance monitoring by NASA, clear contract deliverables and service level agreements, and potentially penalties for non-performance. The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract structure itself acts as a risk mitigation tool against cost escalation for the government. However, the government must ensure adequate oversight to identify and address any emerging performance issues promptly.
How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' method in ensuring competitive pricing for administrative services?
The 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' method is generally effective in ensuring competitive pricing, as it allows all responsible sources to submit offers. This broadens the potential bidder pool compared to more restrictive methods. However, the 'exclusion of sources' aspect implies that certain categories of potential offerors might have been excluded based on specific criteria (e.g., past performance, specific certifications). The effectiveness in achieving optimal pricing depends on the number of actual bidders that responded and the competitiveness of their proposals. If only a few bids were received, or if the excluded sources represented significant competition, the pricing might not be as competitive as true 'full and open' competition without exclusions.
What is the historical spending pattern for administrative support services at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for administrative support services at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center is crucial for understanding trends and identifying potential anomalies. This contract, valued at $7.5 million over two years, represents an average annual spend of $3.75 million. To assess this accurately, one would need to examine spending data for similar administrative support contracts over the past 5-10 years at this specific center. This would reveal whether current spending is consistent with historical levels, if there has been a significant increase or decrease, and how this contract's value compares to previous awards for similar services. Such analysis helps in budgeting, forecasting, and identifying potential efficiencies or cost-saving opportunities.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Office Administrative Services › Office Administrative Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4951 CENTURY ST NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35816
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $22,972,028
Exercised Options: $9,615,379
Current Obligation: $7,528,146
Actual Outlays: $6,549,768
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80AFRC23DA007
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-05-01
Current End Date: 2026-04-30
Potential End Date: 2026-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-20
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