NASA awards $21.17M for Intelligent Systems R&D to KBR Wyle Services, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,169,386 ($21.2M)
Contractor: KBR Wyle Services, 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: $29.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: COST-PLUS FIXED FEE (CPFF) IDIQ TASK ORDER UNDER INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT-3 CONTRACT NO. 80ARC020D0010 TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT TO SUPPORT THE INTELLIGENT SYSTEM DIVISION AT ARC.
Place of Performance
Location: MOFFETT FIELD, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $21.2 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: COST-PLUS FIXED FEE (CPFF) IDIQ TASK ORDER UNDER INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT-3 CONTRACT NO. 80ARC020D0010 TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT TO SUPPORT THE INTELLIGENT SYSTEM DIVISION AT ARC. Key points: 1. Contract aims to advance intelligent systems capabilities for NASA's Intelligent Systems Division. 2. Focus on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 3. KBR Wyle Services, LLC, a significant player in aerospace and defense contracting, is the awardee. 4. The contract is a Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) task order under a larger IDIQ contract. 5. Performance period spans two years, from May 2024 to April 2026. 6. This award represents a portion of broader R&D spending within the aerospace sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's CPFF structure allows for flexibility in R&D but requires careful oversight to manage costs. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for intelligent systems is challenging due to the specialized nature of the work. However, the total award value of $21.17 million over two years suggests a moderate investment for advanced research. The fixed fee component provides some cost control for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the selection of a capable contractor. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and prevent price gouging.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's Intelligent Systems Division by providing advanced technical support. Services delivered will contribute to the development and enhancement of intelligent systems. Geographic impact is primarily at NASA facilities where the research is conducted. Workforce implications include skilled researchers and engineers employed by KBR Wyle Services, LLC.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- The specialized nature of R&D makes direct performance benchmarking difficult.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
- KBR Wyle Services, LLC has a significant presence in aerospace R&D.
- The contract has a defined performance period, allowing for focused execution.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on intelligent systems. The market for intelligent systems R&D is rapidly growing, driven by advancements in AI, machine learning, and robotics. NASA's investment aligns with national priorities in these areas. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other government agencies and private sector companies investing in similar advanced technology research.
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 arising from a set-aside. However, as a large prime contractor, KBR Wyle Services, LLC may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized support, though this is not explicitly detailed in the award information.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers, ensuring adherence to the CPFF terms and research objectives. Accountability measures are built into the contract through reporting requirements and performance milestones. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific R&D details may be proprietary.
Related Government Programs
- Intelligent Systems Research and Development Support
- Aerospace Research and Development Contracts
- NASA Research and Technology Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
- Performance Measurement Difficulty (R&D)
Tags
nasa, kbr-wyle-services, intelligent-systems, research-and-development, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, aerospace, california, delivery-order, fy2024
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $21.2 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. COST-PLUS FIXED FEE (CPFF) IDIQ TASK ORDER UNDER INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT-3 CONTRACT NO. 80ARC020D0010 TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT TO SUPPORT THE INTELLIGENT SYSTEM DIVISION AT ARC.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is KBR WYLE SERVICES, 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 $21.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-05-01. End: 2026-04-30.
What is the historical spending pattern of NASA on intelligent systems R&D?
NASA has consistently invested in research and development related to intelligent systems to advance its space exploration and aeronautics missions. While specific historical spending figures for 'intelligent systems R&D' can be fragmented across various programs and directorates, the agency's overall R&D budget has seen fluctuations. For instance, in recent fiscal years, NASA's R&D expenditures have been in the billions of dollars. The Intelligent Systems Division, within the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, focuses on areas like autonomy, robotics, and human-machine interaction, which are critical for future missions. Tracking spending trends requires analyzing budget allocations to specific research areas and task orders like the one awarded to KBR Wyle Services, LLC, which represents a specific investment within this broader category.
How does the awarded value compare to similar R&D contracts for intelligent systems?
Comparing the $21.17 million award to KBR Wyle Services, LLC for intelligent systems R&D requires context. This figure represents a two-year task order under a larger IDIQ contract. Similar R&D efforts in intelligent systems, particularly those involving advanced AI, machine learning, and autonomous systems, can range significantly in value. Large-scale, multi-year R&D programs can easily reach hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. Smaller, more focused research projects or specific technology development tasks might fall within the tens of millions. Given the specialized nature of NASA's work and the two-year duration, this award appears to be a substantial but not exceptionally large investment for advancing specific intelligent system capabilities.
What is KBR Wyle Services, LLC's track record with NASA and in R&D contracts?
KBR Wyle Services, LLC, a subsidiary of KBR, Inc., has a significant and established track record of supporting NASA and other government agencies, particularly in areas related to aerospace engineering, science, and research and development. They have been involved in numerous contracts supporting spaceflight operations, research, and technology development. Their expertise often spans complex engineering challenges, mission support, and scientific research. For R&D contracts specifically, KBR Wyle has demonstrated capabilities in various scientific and engineering disciplines. Their long-standing relationship with NASA suggests a history of successful performance and reliability in delivering technical services and research outcomes, making them a frequent awardee for such requirements.
What are the potential risks associated with this Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure?
The Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure, while offering flexibility for research and development where exact costs can be unpredictable, carries inherent risks. For the government, the primary risk is that the actual costs incurred by the contractor could exceed initial estimates, potentially leading to a higher final price than anticipated, even with the fixed fee. Effective cost control and diligent oversight are crucial to mitigate this. For the contractor, the fixed fee provides a guaranteed profit margin, but they bear the risk if actual costs significantly exceed estimates, reducing their overall return. Robust monitoring of expenditures, regular audits, and clear definition of allowable costs are essential to manage these risks and ensure value for the government.
How does this contract contribute to NASA's broader goals in intelligent systems?
This contract directly supports NASA's strategic objectives in advancing intelligent systems, which are crucial for future space exploration, aeronautics, and scientific discovery. Intelligent systems encompass areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and autonomy. By funding research and technical advancement in these fields, NASA aims to develop more capable spacecraft, rovers, and aircraft that can operate with greater independence, make complex decisions in dynamic environments, and enhance human-robot collaboration. This specific award to KBR Wyle Services, LLC will likely contribute to developing new algorithms, improving sensor technologies, enhancing decision-making capabilities, or refining control systems, all of which are vital for missions ranging from Mars exploration to advanced air traffic management.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
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: Brown & Root Industrial Services Holdings, LLC
Address: 8120 MAPLE LAWN BLVD, FULTON, MD, 20759
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $24,999,824
Exercised Options: $24,999,824
Current Obligation: $21,169,386
Actual Outlays: $18,482,943
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80ARC020D0010
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: 2026-03-12
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