NASA Awards $3.8M for Water Utility Services to Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,847,603 ($3.8M)
Contractor: Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2020-12-01
End Date: 2030-11-30
Contract Duration: 3,651 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: LF WATER UTILITY SERVICE
Place of Performance
Location: CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA County, OHIO, 44135
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $3.8 million to NORTHEAST OHIO REGIONAL SEWER DISTRICT for work described as: LF WATER UTILITY SERVICE Key points: 1. The contract is for water supply and irrigation systems, with a significant duration of 10 years. 2. The total award value is $3,847,603. 3. This contract was not available for competition, raising potential concerns about price discovery. 4. The service area is limited to Ohio, specifically the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts risk to the contractor.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $3.8M over 10 years for water utility services is difficult to benchmark without specific service details. The lack of competition makes a direct pricing comparison challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. This limits the opportunity for price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competitive bidding may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these essential water utility services over the 10-year contract period.
Public Impact
Essential water services for NASA facilities will be maintained. Local utility provider in Northeast Ohio benefits from a long-term federal contract. Potential for increased costs due to lack of competition impacts taxpayer funds. Long contract duration provides stability but reduces flexibility for future needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
- Limited transparency on pricing
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract shifts cost risk to contractor
- Long-term agreement ensures service continuity
Sector Analysis
The water utility sector is essential for infrastructure and operations. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on location, scale, and specific services provided. This contract falls under general infrastructure support.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, which is a governmental entity, not a small business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting opportunities in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The long-term nature of this contract warrants regular oversight to ensure service delivery meets NASA's needs and that pricing remains reasonable, especially given the limited competition.
Related Government Programs
- Water Supply and Irrigation Systems
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding may lead to inflated costs.
- Long contract duration (10 years) reduces flexibility and potential for cost savings through renegotiation.
- Limited transparency on the specific services included in the award.
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to the nature of utility services.
Tags
water-supply-and-irrigation-systems, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, oh, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $3.8 million to NORTHEAST OHIO REGIONAL SEWER DISTRICT. LF WATER UTILITY SERVICE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NORTHEAST OHIO REGIONAL SEWER DISTRICT.
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 $3.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-12-01. End: 2030-11-30.
What specific services are included under 'Water Supply and Irrigation Systems' to justify the $3.8M award over 10 years?
The provided data lacks granular detail on the specific services encompassed by 'Water Supply and Irrigation Systems.' A comprehensive understanding of water treatment, distribution, wastewater management, and irrigation maintenance is needed to assess the value proposition. Without this, it's difficult to determine if the $3.8M award is commensurate with the scope of work.
What factors necessitated the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' designation for this water utility service contract?
The 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status suggests a unique situation, possibly related to the specific infrastructure, geographic location, or existing intergovernmental agreements that make the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District the only viable provider. Understanding these specific constraints is crucial to validating the necessity of limiting competition and assessing potential price impacts.
How will NASA ensure cost-effectiveness and accountability throughout the 10-year duration of this sole-source contract?
NASA should implement robust performance monitoring and regular contract reviews. Establishing clear performance metrics and service level agreements will be key. Periodic re-evaluations of market rates for similar services, even without direct competition, can help identify potential cost savings or areas for negotiation. Strong contract management practices are essential for accountability.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Utilities › Water, Sewage and Other Systems › Water Supply and Irrigation Systems
Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › UTILITIES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3900 EUCLID AVE, CLEVELAND, OH, 44115
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,000,000
Exercised Options: $20,000,000
Current Obligation: $3,847,603
Actual Outlays: $3,464,197
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-12-01
Current End Date: 2030-11-30
Potential End Date: 2030-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-09
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