NASA's SESDA contract awarded to ADNET SYSTEMS INC for $302.8M supports Earth and Space Science R&D

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $302,855,257 ($302.9M)

Contractor: Adnet Systems Inc

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2017-10-01

End Date: 2023-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,007 days

Daily Burn Rate: $150.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF SPACE AND EARTH SCIENCES DATA ANALYSIS (SESDA) THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE A BROAD RANGE OF SERVICES TO SUPPORT PRIMARILY SCIENCES AND EXPLORATION DIRECTORATE (SED, CODE 600) EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, DATA OPERATIONS, AS WELL AS ACTIVITIES IN INFORMATION SYSTEM TECHNOLOGIES, ENGINEERING, AND SCIENCE COMMUNICATION, EDUCATION AND PUBLIC OUTREACH, THAT ENABLE CODE 600 TO SUCCESSFULLY CARRY OUT ITS SCIENCE MISSIONS AT THE GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (GSFC). SED SCIENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AND FUNDING ARE CLOSELY ALIGNED TO NASA'S SCIENCE PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS. SCIENCE DATA SYSTEMS IN THE SED EXIST TO ENABLE THE PRODUCTION OF SCIENCE RESULTS. SED SCIENCE DATA OPERATIONS ARE DRIVEN PRIMARILY BY SCIENCE DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC NEEDS AND DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC APPROACHES TO HOW DATA ARE MOST EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY MADE AVAILABLE AND USEFUL TO DISCIPLINE RESEARCH COMMUNITIES. THE SERVICES REQUIRED UNDER THIS CONTRACT SUPPORT ALL THE SCIENCE DISCIPLINES WITHIN CODE 600, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE STUDY OF THE EARTH, THE SUN, OUR SOLAR SYSTEM AND THE UNIVERSE. RESEARCH AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDES SCIENTIFIC DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION, MODELING AND SIMULATION OF PHYSICAL PROCESSES, DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF FLIGHT PROJECT INSTRUMENT AND DATA SYSTEMS, FIELD EXPERIMENTS, DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS OF LARGE-SCALE DATA MANAGEMENT, ARCHIVAL AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS, SYSTEMS ANALYSIS, AND PROGRAMMING AND INCLUDES ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, NETWORK ENGINEERING, AND EDUCATION AND PUBLIC OUTREACH. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL SUPPORT BOTH ONGOING AND NEW PROJECTS AS REQUIRED IN ALL THESE AREAS. WORK DEFINED UNDER THIS CONTRACT IS PRIMARILY FUNDED BY THE SED (CODE 600) ALTHOUGH OTHER DIRECTORATES SUCH AS THE FLIGHT PROJECTS DIRECTORATE (CODE 400), THE APPLIED ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE (CODE 500), AND THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE (CODE 700) CAN UTILIZE THIS CONTRACT WHEN APPROPRIATE. THESE DIRECTORATES HAVE PIVOTAL ROLES IN NASA'S MISSION TO PIONEER THE FUTURE IN SPACE EXPLORATION, SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY, AND AERONAUTICS RESEARCH. GSFC ALSO HAS OTHER AREAS OF STRATEGIC RESPONSIBILITY THAT SUPPORT NASAS PROGRAMS AND NEW FOCUS AREAS ARE OCCASIONALLY DEFINED BY NASA HEADQUARTERS. MOST OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED WILL BE IN DIRECT SUPPORT TO THE SCIENCE, FLIGHT PROGRAMS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING ORGANIZATIONAL ENTITIES AT GSFC. THE TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS CONTRACT ARE DEFINED BELOW BY CATEGORY WITH EXPANDED DEFINITIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20771

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $302.9 million to ADNET SYSTEMS INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF SPACE AND EARTH SCIENCES DATA ANALYSIS (SESDA) THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE A BROAD RANGE OF SERVICES TO SUPPORT PRIMARILY SCIENCES AND EXPLORATION DIRECTORATE (SED, CODE 600) EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, DATA OPERATIONS, AS WELL AS… Key points: 1. Contract provides broad support for NASA's Science and Exploration Directorate (SED) at Goddard Space Flight Center. 2. Services encompass R&D, data operations, IT, engineering, and science communication, education, and outreach. 3. Funding is closely aligned with NASA's science projects and programs, enabling the production of science results. 4. The contract's duration of over 2000 days indicates a long-term commitment to ongoing scientific support. 5. ADNET SYSTEMS INC has been the primary contractor, suggesting a stable and established relationship. 6. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) allows for flexibility but requires careful oversight of costs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of over $300 million over approximately 5.5 years suggests a significant investment in scientific support services. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale R&D support contracts within NASA or other federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, while common for R&D, necessitates robust oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and aligned with the fixed fee. Without specific performance metrics or comparisons to industry standards for similar services, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the long duration and consistent funding imply a perceived value by the agency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while a competitive process was intended, certain sources were excluded, potentially limiting the breadth of competition. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated, but the 'limited' competition level suggests that not all potential offerors were considered. This could impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to a truly full and open competition with a larger pool of bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: A limited competition may mean taxpayers did not benefit from the lowest possible prices that could have been achieved through broader market engagement. This could translate to a less efficient use of public funds if alternative, more cost-effective solutions were not fully explored.

Public Impact

Benefits NASA's Science and Exploration Directorate (SED) by providing essential support for its research and development activities. Enables the production of critical science results from Earth and space science missions. Supports activities in data operations, information system technologies, engineering, and science communication. Facilitates science education and public outreach efforts, enhancing public understanding of NASA's work. The contract's impact is primarily within the scientific research community and the broader public through disseminated scientific findings and educational programs. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, data analysts, and support staff at Goddard Space Flight Center and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type if not rigorously managed.
Limited competition may have restricted the range of innovative solutions and potentially inflated prices.
Dependence on a single contractor (ADNET SYSTEMS INC) for a broad range of critical support services could pose a risk if performance falters.
The broad scope of services could lead to challenges in ensuring consistent quality and accountability across all task areas.

Positive Signals

Long-term contract indicates consistent performance and satisfaction with ADNET SYSTEMS INC's services.
The contract's alignment with NASA's core science missions suggests a strategic and valuable partnership.
The duration of the contract (over 2000 days) points to stability and reliability in supporting ongoing scientific endeavors.
The inclusion of science communication, education, and public outreach signifies a commitment to broader societal engagement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically focusing on space and earth sciences. The market for such specialized scientific support services is driven by government agencies like NASA, NOAA, and NSF. These contracts often require a blend of scientific expertise, data management capabilities, and engineering support. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large, multi-disciplinary science support contracts awarded by NASA or other federal research institutions, which can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars depending on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside objective for this contract. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing specialized expertise, and small businesses were likely not the direct awardee or a significant focus of subcontracting efforts, unless mandated by specific task orders not detailed here. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal in terms of direct award, but potential subcontracting opportunities could exist if ADNET SYSTEMS INC engaged them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, specifically the contracting officer and technical representatives responsible for the Science and Exploration Directorate. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) nature of the contract necessitates close monitoring of costs, performance, and adherence to the Statement of Work. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse, with NASA's Office of Inspector General being the relevant body.

Related Government Programs

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Science Support Contracts
Earth and Space Science Data Analysis Services
Federal R&D Support Services
NASA Science Mission Directorate Contracts
Information System Technologies Support

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price discovery.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require diligent oversight to manage costs.
Long-term single awardee could reduce innovation or responsiveness over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $302.9 million to ADNET SYSTEMS INC. IGF::OT::IGF SPACE AND EARTH SCIENCES DATA ANALYSIS (SESDA) THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE A BROAD RANGE OF SERVICES TO SUPPORT PRIMARILY SCIENCES AND EXPLORATION DIRECTORATE (SED, CODE 600) EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, DATA OPERATIONS, AS WELL AS ACTIVITIES IN INFORMATION SYSTEM TECHNOLOGIES, ENGINEERING, AND SCIENCE COMMUNICATION, EDUCATION AND PUBLIC OUTREACH, THAT ENABLE CODE 600 TO SUCCESSFULLY CARRY OUT ITS SCIENCE MISSIONS AT THE GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADNET SYSTEMS INC.

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 $302.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-10-01. End: 2023-03-31.

What is the historical spending trend for the SESDA contract and similar NASA science support contracts?

The provided data shows a total award amount of $302,855,256.73 for the SESDA contract (IGF::OT::IGF SPACE AND EARTH SCIENCES DATA ANALYSIS (SESDA)) from October 1, 2017, to March 31, 2023. This represents an average annual spending of approximately $55 million over its duration. To assess historical trends, one would need to examine prior contract periods for SESDA or comparable science support contracts at NASA. Analyzing year-over-year spending, contract modifications, and the number of renewals for similar contracts would reveal patterns of investment in scientific support services. For instance, comparing this to previous iterations of SESDA or other large science support vehicles like the Science Mission Directorate's broad agency announcements or specific mission support contracts would indicate whether spending in this area is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable within NASA's overall budget allocation for research and development.

How does the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) compare to other contract types for similar R&D support services?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, used for the SESDA contract, is common for research and development efforts where the scope may evolve or is not precisely defined at the outset. In a CPFF contract, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. This contrasts with Fixed Price contracts, where the price is set regardless of the actual costs incurred, offering more cost certainty to the government but potentially shifting risk to the contractor. Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contracts offer flexibility in cost reimbursement tied to performance targets. For R&D support, CPFF provides flexibility for the contractor to explore solutions and adapt to research needs, which can be beneficial. However, it requires robust government oversight to manage costs effectively and prevent overruns, as the government bears the cost risk. Other agencies might opt for Time and Materials (T&M) for staff augmentation or Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) for well-defined services, but CPFF is often preferred for complex, evolving scientific endeavors like those supported by SESDA.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate ADNET SYSTEMS INC's performance under this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly detail the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate ADNET SYSTEMS INC's performance under the SESDA contract. However, for a contract of this nature, supporting NASA's Science and Exploration Directorate (SED), KPIs would typically focus on several critical areas. These often include the timeliness and accuracy of data analysis and processing, the successful development and maintenance of information systems, the quality and impact of scientific communications and outreach materials, and the overall effectiveness in supporting SED's research and development objectives. Performance might also be measured by adherence to budget, successful completion of specific task orders, and responsiveness to agency needs. NASA likely uses a combination of technical assessments, user feedback from scientists and engineers within SED, and formal performance reviews (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) to monitor and evaluate ADNET SYSTEMS INC's performance throughout the contract's lifecycle.

What is the potential impact of 'limited competition' on the overall cost-effectiveness of this contract for taxpayers?

The 'limited competition' designation, stemming from 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggests that the bidding process may not have involved the broadest possible pool of qualified contractors. When competition is limited, potential bidders might have less incentive to offer their most competitive pricing, as the market pressure to win the contract is reduced. This can lead to higher prices than might be achieved in a truly full and open competition where numerous companies vie for the award. For taxpayers, this means there is a risk that public funds may not have been utilized in the most cost-effective manner. While the chosen contractor may still provide excellent service, the absence of wider competition could mean that taxpayers are paying a premium for those services. Quantifying this impact would require comparing the awarded price to what might have been achieved with broader competition or analyzing the profit margins within the fixed fee.

How does the scope of services provided under SESDA align with NASA's strategic science goals?

The SESDA contract's scope is intrinsically aligned with NASA's strategic science goals by providing comprehensive support to the Science and Exploration Directorate (SED) at Goddard Space Flight Center. The contract explicitly covers 'broad range of services to support primarily Sciences and Exploration Directorate (SED) Earth and Space Science Research and Development, Data Operations, as well as activities in Information System Technologies, Engineering, and Science Communication, Education and Public Outreach.' This directly supports NASA's mission to explore the unknown in our solar system, conduct cutting-edge research, and share its findings with the public. By enabling the production of science results, managing vast datasets, and facilitating communication, SESDA acts as a critical enabler for NASA's scientific endeavors, ensuring that the agency can effectively pursue its objectives in understanding Earth, the solar system, and the universe.

What are the potential risks associated with the long duration and single awardee nature of this contract?

The long duration (over 2000 days) and the fact that ADNET SYSTEMS INC is the primary awardee for the SESDA contract present several potential risks. Firstly, a long-term reliance on a single contractor can lead to complacency, potentially reducing innovation or responsiveness over time. Secondly, if the contractor's performance degrades or they face financial instability, NASA could face significant disruption in critical scientific support services, with limited immediate alternatives. Thirdly, the government may miss out on opportunities to leverage new technologies or more cost-effective solutions that emerging competitors might offer. Finally, a prolonged single award can create a barrier to entry for other capable firms, potentially stifling competition in the long run. Mitigating these risks typically involves robust contract management, regular performance reviews, and potentially incorporating mechanisms for periodic re-competition or incorporating new technologies through contract modifications.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: NNG16575844R

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6720B ROCKLEDGE DR STE 504, BETHESDA, MD, 20817

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $307,934,184

Exercised Options: $307,934,184

Current Obligation: $302,855,257

Actual Outlays: $211,931,889

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline