NASA awards $9.8M contract for wheel assembly overhaul, with delivery expected by September 2026
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,849 ($9.8K)
Contractor: Desser Holding Company, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-07
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 176 days
Daily Burn Rate: $56/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: WHEEL ASSEMBLY OVERHAUL ER-2
Place of Performance
Location: MONTEBELLO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90640
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $9,849 to DESSER HOLDING COMPANY, LLC for work described as: WHEEL ASSEMBLY OVERHAUL ER-2 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of overhaul services for specialized equipment. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a standard procurement process was followed. 3. Performance timeline is clearly defined, indicating manageable project scope. 4. This contract supports critical maintenance for aerospace components. 5. The sector involves specialized manufacturing and maintenance for aerospace applications.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $9.8 million for wheel assembly overhaul appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized aerospace maintenance. Benchmarking against similar contracts for complex component overhauls would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests a degree of cost certainty for the agency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process for procurements below a certain threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally encourages broad participation. This level of competition is expected to promote price discovery and ensure fair market pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of competitive procedures under SAP is beneficial for taxpayers, as it helps to ensure that the government is obtaining goods and services at the best possible price.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), ensuring operational readiness of its assets. The service delivered is the overhaul of wheel assemblies, crucial for aircraft and potentially other aerospace vehicles. The geographic impact is primarily within California, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include skilled technicians and mechanics involved in the overhaul process.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for schedule slippage if unforeseen issues arise during the overhaul process.
- Dependence on specialized parts and expertise could introduce supply chain risks.
Positive Signals
- Clear performance period (end date of September 30, 2026) provides a defined timeline.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage cost overruns.
- Contract awarded to a known entity (DESSER HOLDING COMPANY, LLC) may indicate prior positive performance.
Sector Analysis
The aerospace maintenance and repair sector is highly specialized, requiring significant technical expertise and adherence to stringent quality standards. This contract falls within the tire manufacturing sub-sector, specifically focusing on the overhaul of critical wheel assemblies. Spending in this area is driven by the need to maintain the operational integrity and safety of aerospace fleets.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. The prime contractor, DESSER HOLDING COMPANY, LLC, is likely a mid-to-large sized entity given the contract value.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a firm fixed-price contract awarded under SAP, oversight will likely focus on adherence to the delivery schedule and quality of the overhaul services. Transparency is expected through NASA's contract reporting mechanisms.
Related Government Programs
- Aerospace Component Maintenance
- Aircraft Parts Manufacturing
- Defense Logistics Support
Risk Flags
- Potential for schedule delays
- Supply chain risk for specialized parts
- Quality control assurance for aerospace components
Tags
nasa, aerospace, wheel-assembly, overhaul, maintenance, california, competed, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, tire-manufacturing, nasa-contracting
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $9,849 to DESSER HOLDING COMPANY, LLC. WHEEL ASSEMBLY OVERHAUL ER-2
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DESSER HOLDING COMPANY, 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 $9,849.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the track record of DESSER HOLDING COMPANY, LLC with NASA or similar agencies?
A thorough review of DESSER HOLDING COMPANY, LLC's past performance with NASA and other federal agencies would be necessary to fully assess their track record. This would involve examining previous contract awards, performance evaluations, and any history of disputes or corrective actions. Without specific historical data on this contractor's performance on similar wheel assembly overhaul contracts, it is difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and expertise. However, the fact that they were awarded this contract suggests they met the agency's minimum requirements during the procurement process.
How does the $9.8 million contract value compare to industry benchmarks for wheel assembly overhauls?
Benchmarking the $9.8 million contract value against industry standards for wheel assembly overhauls requires detailed cost breakdowns and comparisons with similar services provided to other aerospace entities. Factors such as the complexity of the specific wheel assemblies, the extent of the overhaul required (e.g., replacement of parts, NDT testing), and the specific aircraft or vehicle they are intended for significantly influence pricing. A comprehensive analysis would involve comparing this contract's unit costs or total price against publicly available data for similar maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services within the aerospace sector. Without access to such granular comparative data, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents excellent or fair value.
What are the primary risks associated with this wheel assembly overhaul contract?
The primary risks associated with this wheel assembly overhaul contract include potential delays in delivery due to unforeseen technical challenges during the overhaul process, which could impact NASA's operational schedules. Another significant risk is the availability and cost of specialized replacement parts, which could be subject to supply chain disruptions or price volatility in the aerospace market. Furthermore, ensuring the quality and reliability of the overhauled components to meet stringent aerospace safety standards is paramount; any lapse in quality control could lead to significant safety concerns and costly rework. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract, while beneficial for cost control, could also incentivize the contractor to cut corners if not properly monitored.
What is the expected effectiveness of this contract in ensuring NASA's operational readiness?
This contract is expected to be highly effective in ensuring NASA's operational readiness by providing essential maintenance for critical wheel assemblies. Overhauled components are crucial for the safe and reliable functioning of aerospace vehicles, directly impacting mission success and safety. The defined performance period and firm fixed-price structure suggest a commitment to timely delivery and cost management. Assuming DESSER HOLDING COMPANY, LLC possesses the necessary expertise and quality control measures, the successful completion of this contract will contribute directly to maintaining the airworthiness and performance of NASA's assets, thereby supporting its ongoing missions and programs.
What has been NASA's historical spending on wheel assembly overhauls or similar maintenance services?
Analyzing NASA's historical spending on wheel assembly overhauls and related maintenance services provides crucial context for evaluating the current $9.8 million contract. This would involve examining procurement data over several fiscal years to identify trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the contractors frequently utilized. Understanding past spending patterns can reveal whether this contract represents a typical investment, an increase, or a decrease in this category of maintenance. It can also highlight any shifts in procurement strategies or the emergence of new technologies affecting overhaul costs. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to place this contract within a broader financial context of NASA's maintenance budget.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Rubber Product Manufacturing › Tire Manufacturing (except Retreading)
Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: VSE Corporation
Address: 6900 ACCO ST, MONTEBELLO, CA, 90640
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $9,849
Exercised Options: $9,849
Current Obligation: $9,849
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80AFRC22DA005
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-07
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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