NASA awards $15M contract for aerospace testing and facilities operations to Amentum Technology, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,969,084 ($15.0M)
Contractor: Amentum Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-09-05
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,213 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: AEROSPACE TESTING AND FACILITIES OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (ATOM-5) - CTO 49
Place of Performance
Location: TULLAHOMA, COFFEE County, TENNESSEE, 37388
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $15.0 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: AEROSPACE TESTING AND FACILITIES OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (ATOM-5) - CTO 49 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential facilities support services for aerospace testing. 2. Amentum Technology, Inc. is the sole awardee under full and open competition. 3. Performance period extends through late 2026, indicating a medium-term commitment. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can shift risk to the government. 5. This award is part of NASA's broader strategy to maintain critical testing infrastructure. 6. The contract value is substantial, reflecting the complexity of aerospace operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $15 million for a period of over three years appears reasonable for specialized facilities support services in the aerospace sector. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale testing facility operations and maintenance is challenging without more granular data on the specific services provided. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure suggests that costs will be reimbursed, plus a fixed fee for profit, which requires careful oversight to ensure cost control and value for money.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a competitive process was utilized. Full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and a wider pool of potential solutions, which is beneficial for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging innovative solutions from the market.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and its aerospace research and development programs, which rely on these facilities. Services delivered include operations and maintenance for critical aerospace testing infrastructure. The geographic impact is centered in Tennessee, where the facilities are located. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled technicians, engineers, and support staff to be employed or retained.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require diligent government oversight to manage costs effectively and prevent potential overruns.
- The duration of the contract (over three years) necessitates ongoing performance monitoring to ensure sustained quality of services.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
- The contract supports critical national aerospace testing capabilities, aligning with strategic government objectives.
- Amentum Technology, Inc. is an established entity in government contracting, potentially bringing significant experience.
Sector Analysis
The aerospace testing and facilities operations sector is a highly specialized niche within the broader facilities support services industry. It demands unique expertise and infrastructure to support complex research, development, and testing activities for aircraft, spacecraft, and related technologies. Spending in this area is often driven by government agency needs, particularly NASA and the Department of Defense, for maintaining cutting-edge capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without specific details on the scale and type of testing facilities involved, but contracts of this magnitude are typical for supporting major government research installations.
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 small business set-aside. The prime contractor, Amentum Technology, Inc., may still engage small businesses as subcontractors, but this is not mandated by the contract's set-aside status. Analysis of subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract will likely involve NASA's contracting officers and technical representatives who will monitor performance, costs, and adherence to the contract terms. Accountability measures are built into the CPFF structure, requiring the contractor to justify costs and the government to approve them. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements, though specific details of operational performance may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Aerospace Research and Development
- Facilities Operations and Maintenance
- Government Testing Services
- NASA Research Support Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires robust government oversight to manage costs.
- Contract duration extends over three years, necessitating sustained performance monitoring.
Tags
nasa, aerospace, facilities-support-services, operations-and-maintenance, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, tennessee, amentum-technology-inc, federal-spending, contract-award
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $15.0 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC.. AEROSPACE TESTING AND FACILITIES OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (ATOM-5) - CTO 49
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, 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 $15.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-05. End: 2026-12-31.
What is Amentum Technology, Inc.'s track record with NASA and similar federal agencies?
Amentum Technology, Inc. has a significant history of performing services for NASA and other federal agencies, often in areas related to facilities management, engineering, and technical support. Their experience typically includes operating and maintaining complex government infrastructure. While specific performance metrics for past contracts are not detailed here, their presence as a large government contractor suggests a substantial portfolio of completed work. A deeper dive into their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) would provide more granular insights into their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedules and budgets on previous projects with NASA and other departments.
How does the awarded amount compare to historical spending on similar aerospace testing facilities?
The awarded amount of approximately $15 million for the ATOM-5 contract represents a significant investment in aerospace testing and facilities operations. Comparing this to historical spending requires identifying contracts with similar scope, duration, and complexity. NASA and the Department of Defense often award multi-year contracts in the tens or hundreds of millions for the operation and maintenance of large-scale testing facilities, such as wind tunnels, engine test stands, or environmental chambers. This $15 million award appears to be for a specific set of services or a particular facility, rather than an overarching program. Without more specific details on the services covered and the scale of the facilities, a precise historical comparison is difficult, but it falls within a reasonable range for specialized government facility support.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for facilities operations?
The primary risk associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for facilities operations lies in cost control. While the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs, the fixed fee provides a guaranteed profit margin regardless of cost efficiency. This can incentivize less cost-conscious behavior from the contractor if not managed diligently. The government bears the risk of cost overruns beyond the estimated cost, although the fixed fee itself is not subject to increase. Effective oversight by the government is crucial to scrutinize incurred costs, ensure they are reasonable and allocable, and prevent scope creep that could inflate the overall cost without a corresponding increase in the fixed fee. Performance risks also exist, but are managed through performance standards and potential incentives or penalties.
How effective is NASA's current infrastructure for aerospace testing, and does this contract address any specific deficiencies?
NASA maintains a vast and critical infrastructure for aerospace testing, essential for its research, development, and exploration missions. This contract, ATOM-5, specifically addresses the 'Operations and Maintenance' of these facilities. The effectiveness of the infrastructure is generally considered high, given its role in supporting cutting-edge aerospace advancements. However, like any aging infrastructure, continuous maintenance and upgrades are necessary. This contract likely aims to ensure the ongoing operational readiness and reliability of specific testing assets, preventing degradation and ensuring they meet current and future testing requirements. It may address routine maintenance needs, minor repairs, and the operational staffing required to run these complex systems, thereby sustaining their effectiveness.
What are the historical spending patterns for facilities support services at NASA's Tennessee facilities?
Historical spending patterns for facilities support services at NASA facilities in Tennessee, particularly those managed by NASA, would typically show consistent investment in maintaining operational capabilities. These patterns are often characterized by multi-year contracts for services like utilities management, grounds maintenance, building operations, and specialized technical support for research equipment. Spending levels can fluctuate based on infrastructure upgrade projects, changes in operational tempo, or shifts in agency budget priorities. Without access to NASA's specific procurement databases or historical contract awards for the Tennessee sites, a precise analysis of past spending is not possible. However, it is reasonable to assume that significant and sustained funding is allocated to ensure the reliable functioning of these critical research and testing environments.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services
Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Pae-Parsons Global Logistics Services, LLC
Address: 604 WILLIAM NORTHERN BLVD., TULLAHOMA, TN, 37388
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $19,494,859
Exercised Options: $19,494,859
Current Obligation: $14,969,084
Actual Outlays: $10,910,163
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80ARC022DA011
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-05
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2026-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-19
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