NASA awards $3.5M CPFF task order to KBR Wyle for technical advancement support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,479,869 ($3.5M)
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: $4.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: COST-PLUS FIXED FEE (CPFF) TASK ORDER UNDER INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT-3 CONTRACT NO. 80ARC020D0010 TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT TO SUPPORT THE EXTERNAL DIVISIONS (OTHER THAN 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 $3.5 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: COST-PLUS FIXED FEE (CPFF) TASK ORDER UNDER INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT-3 CONTRACT NO. 80ARC020D0010 TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT TO SUPPORT THE EXTERNAL DIVISIONS (OTHER THAN INTELLIGENT SYSTEM DIVISION) AT ARC. Key points: 1. Contract type is Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which carries inherent risk of cost overruns. 2. Task order is under a larger IDIQ contract, suggesting potential for follow-on work and vendor lock-in. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is 729 days, providing a substantial period for service delivery. 5. The scope of work focuses on technical advancement for external divisions, outside the core Intelligent Systems Division. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 points to R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 7. The awardee, KBR Wyle Services, LLC, has a track record in government contracting. 8. The contract is a delivery order, a common mechanism for task execution under IDIQs.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount is $3,479,869.23. As a Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, the government pays allowable costs plus a fixed fee. This structure can incentivize contractors to control costs to maximize their fee, but also carries the risk of cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking this specific task order's value is challenging without more granular data on the services provided and comparable R&D efforts. However, the fixed fee component provides some cost predictability for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This task order was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the full and open nature suggests a competitive environment that should theoretically lead to a fair price. The existence of a larger IDIQ contract (Intelligent Systems Research and Development Support-3) with this type of competition implies that multiple vendors were vetted and selected for potential task orders.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation. It ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, increasing the likelihood of obtaining the best value for the funds expended.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA's external divisions (other than the Intelligent Systems Division) that will receive technical advancement support. The services delivered will focus on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The geographic impact is primarily within NASA facilities, likely in California where the contract is registered. The contract supports a workforce involved in scientific and engineering research and development activities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- CPFF contracts can lead to cost overruns if not meticulously monitored.
- The scope is broad ('technical advancement'), requiring clear performance metrics to ensure value.
- Reliance on a single IDIQ contract could limit future competition for related services.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
- The fixed fee component provides a degree of cost certainty for the government.
- The task order is for a defined period (729 days), allowing for focused project execution.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically NAICS code 541715, which covers R&D in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. This is a critical area for government innovation and technological advancement. Comparable spending in this sector often involves significant investment in scientific exploration and engineering solutions across various agencies. The market for R&D support services is competitive, with many firms offering specialized expertise.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside for this particular task order. While the prime contractor is KBR Wyle Services, LLC, a large business, the contract does not explicitly mention small business subcontracting goals or achievements. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were made available to small businesses within the broader IDIQ contract framework.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a delivery order under an existing IDIQ, the oversight mechanisms established for the parent contract would likely apply. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the task order, with potential review by NASA's Inspector General if performance issues arise.
Related Government Programs
- Intelligent Systems Research and Development Support-3 Contract
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Federal R&D Spending in Physical Sciences
- Cost-Plus Fixed Fee Contracts
- Delivery Orders under IDIQs
Risk Flags
- Cost-Plus contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
- Scope is broad ('technical advancement'), requiring diligent performance monitoring.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if this IDIQ is heavily utilized.
Tags
nasa, research-and-development, cost-plus-fixed-fee, delivery-order, kbr-wyle-services, california, full-and-open-competition, physical-engineering-life-sciences, technical-advancement, large-business
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $3.5 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. COST-PLUS FIXED FEE (CPFF) TASK ORDER UNDER INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT-3 CONTRACT NO. 80ARC020D0010 TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT TO SUPPORT THE EXTERNAL DIVISIONS (OTHER THAN 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 $3.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-05-01. End: 2026-04-30.
What is the historical spending pattern for KBR Wyle Services, LLC with NASA?
Analyzing KBR Wyle Services, LLC's historical spending with NASA requires access to comprehensive federal procurement data. Generally, large government contractors like KBR Wyle often hold numerous contracts across various agencies, including NASA. Their spending patterns can fluctuate based on agency priorities, contract vehicles, and competitive wins. Without specific data on KBR Wyle's portfolio with NASA, it's difficult to provide a precise historical spending trend. However, their presence suggests a sustained relationship and capability in supporting NASA's mission requirements, likely across a range of scientific, engineering, and technical services.
How does the pricing structure (CPFF) compare to other contract types for similar R&D services?
Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are common for R&D where the scope is not fully defined at the outset, allowing flexibility. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF offers less price certainty for the government but greater flexibility for the contractor to adapt to evolving research needs. While FFP can offer better value if requirements are stable, CPFF is often preferred for exploratory or developmental work where innovation and adaptation are key. Other cost-reimbursement types, like Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF), add performance incentives. The choice of CPFF here suggests NASA prioritized flexibility and technical exploration over strict cost certainty for this specific R&D effort.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this task order?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this particular task order. Typically, for R&D technical advancement contracts, KPIs would focus on milestones achieved, quality of research outputs, adherence to project timelines, successful integration of advancements, and potentially the number of technical reports or publications generated. The effectiveness of the 'technical advancement' would be measured against the specific objectives set forth in the detailed statement of work, which is not included in this summary. NASA would monitor these KPIs to ensure the contractor is meeting the contract's objectives and delivering value.
What is the potential for cost overruns with this CPFF contract?
The potential for cost overruns with a Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is inherent due to its nature. The government agrees to pay all allowable costs incurred by the contractor, plus a predetermined fixed fee. If the contractor's costs exceed initial estimates, the government bears the burden of these additional costs, up to the contract ceiling. The fixed fee, however, remains constant, incentivizing the contractor to manage costs efficiently to maximize their profit margin. Effective oversight, clear definition of allowable costs, and regular reviews by NASA are crucial to mitigate the risk of significant cost overruns.
How does this contract fit into NASA's broader R&D strategy?
This task order, supporting technical advancement for NASA's external divisions, aligns with NASA's strategic goals of fostering innovation and advancing scientific and engineering capabilities. By contracting for R&D support, NASA leverages external expertise to complement its internal research efforts. The focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences suggests it contributes to areas relevant to NASA's missions, such as aerospace engineering, materials science, or life support systems for space exploration. Such contracts are vital for NASA to stay at the forefront of technological development required for its diverse missions.
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: $4,002,443
Exercised Options: $4,002,443
Current Obligation: $3,479,869
Actual Outlays: $2,877,365
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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