NASA's $1.5M Intelligent Systems R&D Task Order to KBR Wyle Services, LLC for 2-year support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,536,193 ($1.5M)
Contractor: KBR Wyle Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-05-01
End Date: 2028-04-30
Contract Duration: 730 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT 3 - TASK ORDER 1 (CODE TI IDIQ WORK). SUPPORTS: TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AREAS, MISSION OPERATIONS, FLIGHT OPERATIONS, AND SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT.
Place of Performance
Location: MOFFETT FIELD, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $1.5 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT 3 - TASK ORDER 1 (CODE TI IDIQ WORK). SUPPORTS: TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AREAS, MISSION OPERATIONS, FLIGHT OPERATIONS, AND SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT. Key points: 1. Focuses on critical technology research, mission operations, and engineering support for NASA. 2. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, allowing for flexibility in R&D environments. 3. Awarded under Full and Open Competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. Supports advanced research areas vital for future space exploration and operations. 5. Duration of 2 years provides a stable period for project execution. 6. The contract is a delivery order under an IDIQ, indicating a broader framework agreement.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's value of $1.5M for a 2-year period appears reasonable for specialized R&D support. Benchmarking against similar NASA R&D task orders would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure is common for R&D where scope can evolve, but requires careful oversight to manage costs effectively. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the amount is not inherently excessive for the described services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This task order was awarded under Full and Open Competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This typically leads to a more robust selection process and potentially better pricing due to market forces. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive environment was sought.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and encourage innovation from a wider pool of contractors.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's mission-critical research and development efforts in intelligent systems. Supports advancements in technology research, mission operations, flight operations, and software engineering. Geographic impact is primarily at NASA facilities, likely in California where the contractor is based. Workforce implications include specialized engineers and researchers contributing to cutting-edge projects.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns, especially in R&D where scope can be fluid.
- The task order is part of a larger IDIQ, making it harder to assess the total value and competition for the entire program without more data.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under Full and Open Competition, suggesting a competitive process that likely yielded fair pricing.
- The contract supports critical R&D areas for NASA, aligning with strategic technological advancements.
- The contractor, KBR Wyle Services, LLC, is an established entity with experience in aerospace and defense support.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically NAICS code 541715. This sector is characterized by innovation and scientific advancement, often involving long-term projects and specialized expertise. NASA is a major spender in this area, funding research that pushes the boundaries of technology for space exploration and scientific discovery. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other R&D contracts awarded by NASA and other federal agencies for similar scientific and engineering support services.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this specific task order. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors, which would depend on their internal subcontracting plans.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this task order would primarily fall under NASA's contracting officer and program management. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, financial oversight is crucial to ensure costs remain within the fixed fee parameters and are reasonable and allocable. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting mechanisms, and while specific IG jurisdiction isn't detailed here, NASA's Office of Inspector General would have oversight authority over potential fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Intelligent Systems Research
- Aerospace Engineering Support
- Software Systems Engineering Services
- IDIQ Contract Vehicles
Risk Flags
- Cost Overruns Risk (CPFF)
- Scope Creep Risk (R&D)
- Performance Measurement Difficulty (R&D)
Tags
research-and-development, intelligent-systems, nasa, kbr-wyle-services, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, california, aerospace, technology-research, software-engineering
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $1.5 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT 3 - TASK ORDER 1 (CODE TI IDIQ WORK). SUPPORTS: TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AREAS, MISSION OPERATIONS, FLIGHT OPERATIONS, AND SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT.
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 $1.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-05-01. End: 2028-04-30.
What is KBR Wyle Services, LLC's track record with NASA for similar R&D support?
KBR Wyle Services, LLC has a significant history of supporting NASA and other government agencies with a wide range of technical, engineering, and scientific services. Their experience often includes research and development, mission operations, and systems engineering. For NASA specifically, they have been involved in various projects related to space exploration, aeronautics, and scientific research. Analyzing their past performance on similar Cost Plus Fixed Fee task orders, particularly those involving intelligent systems or advanced technology development, would provide insight into their ability to manage scope, control costs, and deliver quality results within NASA's stringent requirements. Their established presence suggests a familiarity with NASA's processes and objectives.
How does the $1.5M value compare to similar NASA intelligent systems R&D task orders?
The $1.5 million value for a 2-year task order supporting intelligent systems R&D at NASA is within a typical range for specialized technical support. However, a precise comparison requires access to a database of similar contracts. Factors influencing value include the specific technologies being researched, the level of expertise required, the duration, and the complexity of the tasks. For instance, task orders focused on fundamental research might have different cost profiles than those involving applied engineering or software development for flight systems. Without more granular data on the scope of work and the specific R&D areas, it's difficult to definitively benchmark this against all similar contracts, but it does not appear exceptionally high or low at first glance.
What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for R&D?
The primary risks associated with a CPFF contract for R&D, like this NASA task order, revolve around cost control and scope creep. While CPFF allows flexibility for evolving research objectives, it places the onus on the contractor to manage costs effectively while the government pays allowable costs plus a fixed fee. Risks include the contractor not exercising sufficient cost discipline, leading to higher-than-anticipated expenditures. Scope creep is another significant risk; as research progresses, new avenues may emerge, potentially expanding the work beyond the original intent without adequate adjustments to the fixed fee or schedule. Robust government oversight, clear definition of objectives, and regular performance reviews are critical to mitigate these risks.
How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition' approach for ensuring value in specialized R&D contracts?
Full and Open Competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value in specialized R&D contracts, as it maximizes the pool of potential bidders, fostering a competitive environment. This competition can drive down prices and encourage contractors to offer innovative solutions and demonstrate superior capabilities to win the award. For specialized R&D, it allows agencies like NASA to access a broader range of technical expertise and potentially discover novel approaches they might not have considered otherwise. The effectiveness is contingent on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria, and the agency's ability to properly assess technical merit alongside cost. When executed well, it leads to better resource allocation for taxpayer dollars.
What are the potential implications of this contract on NASA's long-term intelligent systems development roadmap?
This task order, supporting technology research, mission operations, and software systems engineering, directly contributes to NASA's long-term intelligent systems development roadmap. By funding specific R&D areas, it helps advance capabilities in crucial domains such as autonomous systems, AI for mission planning, advanced data analysis, and enhanced flight control software. The insights and technologies developed under this contract could pave the way for future missions, improve operational efficiency, and enhance astronaut safety. The continuity provided by a 2-year period allows for meaningful progress in these complex fields, potentially accelerating NASA's ability to leverage intelligent systems for future space exploration and scientific endeavors.
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: KBR, Inc.
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: $22,450,328
Exercised Options: $22,450,328
Current Obligation: $1,536,193
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: 2026-05-01
Current End Date: 2028-04-30
Potential End Date: 2028-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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