NASA's $50.9M COMETS Contract Awarded to Firelake-Arrowhead for Engineering Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $50,918,961 ($50.9M)
Contractor: Firelake-Arrowhead Nasa Services
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2018-02-27
End Date: 2024-04-30
Contract Duration: 2,254 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, ENVIRONMENTAL AND TESTING SERVICES (COMETS)
Place of Performance
Location: LENEXA, JOHNSON County, KANSAS, 66215
State: Kansas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $50.9 million to FIRELAKE-ARROWHEAD NASA SERVICES for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, ENVIRONMENTAL AND TESTING SERVICES (COMETS) Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $50.9 million, covers engineering, maintenance, environmental, and testing services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a specific justification for the competition method. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. The sector is Engineering Services, a critical area for NASA's operational and research activities.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type allows for flexibility but carries inherent risks of cost escalation. Benchmarking against similar NASA contracts for engineering services would be necessary to fully assess pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This suggests that while competition was sought, specific sources were excluded, potentially limiting the breadth of competition and impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract requires diligent oversight to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently and effectively, especially given the potential for cost overruns.
Public Impact
NASA's continued reliance on specialized engineering and maintenance services impacts its ability to conduct space missions and research. The exclusion of certain sources in the competition process may raise questions about the extent of market engagement. The long duration of the contract (over 6 years) suggests a significant, ongoing need for these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure.
- Limited competition due to exclusion of sources.
- Long contract duration may not reflect current market efficiencies.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, indicating an attempt to solicit offers.
- Services are critical for NASA's ongoing operations and research.
Sector Analysis
Engineering Services are vital for government agencies like NASA, supporting complex projects and infrastructure. Spending benchmarks for similar contracts can vary widely based on scope and duration, but a $50.9M contract over 6 years suggests a substantial and ongoing requirement.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type necessitates robust oversight from NASA to monitor costs, ensure performance, and prevent potential waste or fraud. Regular audits and performance reviews are crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Exclusion of sources in competition.
- Long contract duration.
- Lack of small business participation data.
Tags
engineering-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ks, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $50.9 million to FIRELAKE-ARROWHEAD NASA SERVICES. IGF::OT::IGF CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, ENVIRONMENTAL AND TESTING SERVICES (COMETS)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FIRELAKE-ARROWHEAD NASA SERVICES.
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 $50.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-02-27. End: 2024-04-30.
What was the justification for excluding specific sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process, and how did this impact the final contract price?
The exclusion of sources typically occurs when there's a specific, documented reason, such as unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or prior performance that makes certain vendors uniquely qualified. This exclusion can limit the competitive landscape, potentially leading to higher prices than if a broader range of vendors had participated. A thorough review of the contract's justification documentation is needed to understand the rationale and its pricing implications.
How effectively has NASA managed the Cost Plus Fixed Fee aspect of this contract to control costs and ensure value for taxpayers?
Managing Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts requires stringent oversight to prevent scope creep and ensure that costs remain reasonable and allocable to the contract's objectives. NASA's effectiveness would be measured by its ability to negotiate fair fixed fees, monitor contractor expenditures, and ensure that the final cost reflects the value delivered. Performance metrics, regular reporting, and independent audits are key indicators of successful management.
What is the long-term strategic value of this $50.9M contract for NASA's mission objectives, considering its duration and service scope?
The long-term strategic value hinges on how consistently the services provided by Firelake-Arrowhead align with NASA's evolving mission priorities. The contract's duration suggests a stable, ongoing need for engineering, maintenance, environmental, and testing support. Assessing its value requires evaluating whether these services are critical enablers of key NASA programs and if the contractor's performance has demonstrably contributed to mission success over time.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNC17ZFD015R
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 14217 W 95TH ST, LENEXA, KS, 66215
Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $72,365,329
Exercised Options: $72,365,329
Current Obligation: $50,918,961
Actual Outlays: $42,077,915
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-02-27
Current End Date: 2024-04-30
Potential End Date: 2024-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-12-04
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