NASA awards $670M for electrical engineering support services, spanning R&D for space and science missions
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $670,397,278 ($670.4M)
Contractor: Science Systems and Applications, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2018-11-01
End Date: 2025-05-08
Contract Duration: 2,380 days
Daily Burn Rate: $281.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SYSTEMS SERVICES THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES AND RELATED WORK TO EED, ISTD, SED, MESA, RELATED ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER NASA CENTERS AND LOCATIONS SPECIFIED IN TASK ORDERS, FOR THE STUDY, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, FABRICATION, INTEGRATION, TESTING, VERIFICATION, AND OPERATIONS OF SPACE FLIGHT, AIRBORNE, AND GROUND SYSTEM HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO ENABLE FUTURE SPACE AND SCIENCE MISSIONS.
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20771
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $670.4 million to SCIENCE SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS, INC. for work described as: ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SYSTEMS SERVICES THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES AND RELATED WORK TO EED, ISTD, SED, MESA, RELATED ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER NASA CENTERS AND LOCATIONS SPECIFIED IN TASK ORDERS, FOR THE S… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical R&D for space flight, airborne, and ground systems. 2. Services include study, design, development, integration, testing, and operations. 3. Aims to develop and validate new technologies for future space and science missions. 4. Contract duration extends through May 2025. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, indicating performance-based incentives. 6. Primary contractor is Science Systems and Applications, Inc.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total contract value of $670 million over its period of performance appears reasonable for the scope of advanced engineering and R&D services required by NASA. Benchmarking against similar large-scale, multi-year R&D contracts for aerospace engineering support suggests this award is within expected parameters. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for flexibility and incentivizes contractor performance, which can lead to better value if managed effectively.
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 competition was sought, certain sources were excluded, potentially limiting the breadth of bidders. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed, but this approach can sometimes lead to less competitive pricing compared to unrestricted full and open competition. Further analysis would be needed to understand the impact of the source exclusion on the final price.
Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of certain sources may have limited the number of potential bidders, potentially impacting the government's ability to secure the lowest possible price for these specialized services.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's mission to explore space and advance scientific understanding. Delivers essential engineering support for critical space flight and ground systems. Supports the development of cutting-edge technologies for future space exploration. Impacts the aerospace engineering workforce through specialized R&D opportunities. Geographic impact is broad, supporting various NASA centers and locations as specified in task orders.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Award Fee contracts if not closely monitored.
- Limited competition due to source exclusion could impact price competitiveness.
- Dependence on a single primary contractor for critical R&D services.
- Scope creep could increase costs if task orders are not well-defined.
Positive Signals
- Focus on advanced R&D aligns with NASA's strategic goals.
- Award fee structure incentivizes high performance and innovation.
- Long-term contract provides stability for critical engineering support.
- Experienced contractor likely to deliver specialized expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The aerospace R&D market is characterized by high technical complexity, significant government investment, and a limited number of specialized contractors. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological leadership in space exploration and scientific discovery. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large federal R&D contracts in aerospace and advanced engineering.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Given the specialized nature and large dollar value, it is unlikely that small businesses would be primary awardees, though they may participate as subcontractors. The prime contractor, Science Systems and Applications, Inc., is not typically considered a small business. The impact on the small business ecosystem would primarily be through subcontracting opportunities, which are not detailed in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a Cost Plus Award Fee contract, performance metrics and cost controls would be critical areas of oversight. NASA's internal procurement and program management offices would be responsible for monitoring contractor progress, ensuring adherence to task orders, and evaluating performance for award fee determination. Transparency would be facilitated through contract reporting requirements and potentially public contract databases.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Aerospace Engineering Services
- Space Technology Development
- Advanced Technology Research
- Federal Science and Technology Spending
Risk Flags
- Limited competition due to source exclusion.
- Potential for cost overruns in CPAF structure.
- Reliance on a single prime contractor for critical R&D.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, aerospace, engineering-services, cost-plus-award-fee, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition-after-exclusion-of-sources, science-systems-and-applications-inc, maryland, technology-development
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $670.4 million to SCIENCE SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS, INC.. ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SYSTEMS SERVICES THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES AND RELATED WORK TO EED, ISTD, SED, MESA, RELATED ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER NASA CENTERS AND LOCATIONS SPECIFIED IN TASK ORDERS, FOR THE STUDY, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, FABRICATION, INTEGRATION, TESTING, VERIFICATION, AND OPERATIONS OF SPACE FLIGHT, AIRBORNE, AND GROUND SYSTEM HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO E
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SCIENCE SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS, 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 $670.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-11-01. End: 2025-05-08.
What is the track record of Science Systems and Applications, Inc. with NASA for similar engineering support contracts?
Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) has a significant history of supporting NASA and other federal agencies with scientific and engineering services. Their portfolio often includes mission operations, instrument development, and research support. For NASA, SSAI has been involved in numerous projects across various centers, demonstrating a consistent ability to secure and execute complex contracts. Their experience typically spans areas like Earth science, space science, and advanced technology development. A detailed review of their past performance on similar Cost Plus Award Fee contracts with NASA would reveal their success in meeting performance targets and managing budgets, providing a strong indicator of their capability for this current award.
How does the $670 million total award value compare to NASA's historical spending on electrical engineering support services?
The $670 million total award value for electrical engineering support services is substantial and reflects the long-term, comprehensive nature of the contract. NASA's historical spending on R&D and engineering support services varies significantly year-to-year based on mission priorities and program lifecycles. However, awards in the hundreds of millions of dollars are common for large, multi-year R&D efforts that underpin major space exploration and scientific initiatives. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze NASA's budget allocations and contract awards for similar engineering support over the past decade, looking at the average value and duration of such contracts to contextualize this specific award.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract of this magnitude for R&D services?
The primary risks associated with a CPAF contract of this magnitude for R&D services revolve around cost control and performance management. For the government, there's a risk of cost overruns if the base cost plus fee exceeds initial projections, especially in R&D where outcomes can be uncertain. Effective oversight is crucial to ensure the contractor is managing resources efficiently and that the award fee is genuinely earned based on objective performance criteria. For the contractor, the risk lies in not meeting the performance targets required to earn the full award fee, impacting their profitability. Ensuring clear, measurable, and achievable performance standards is paramount to mitigating these risks and achieving value for taxpayer money.
What specific technological advancements or mission objectives does this contract aim to support?
This contract is designed to provide the foundational electrical engineering support services necessary for a wide array of NASA's current and future missions. This includes the study, design, development, integration, testing, and operations of hardware and software for space flight, airborne, and ground systems. Crucially, it also encompasses the 'development and validation of new technologies to enable future space and science missions.' While specific technological advancements are not detailed in the summary, the broad scope suggests support for areas such as advanced propulsion systems, next-generation sensor technology, sophisticated communication systems, power management for deep space missions, and robust ground support infrastructure required for complex launches and operations.
How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procurement method impact potential competition and pricing?
The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method is a nuanced approach to procurement. It implies that the agency initially intended to compete the requirement broadly but then identified specific sources that were excluded. This exclusion could be based on various factors, such as national security concerns, proprietary technology, or previous performance issues with certain entities. While it aims to ensure a competitive environment among the remaining eligible sources, it inherently limits the pool of potential bidders compared to unrestricted full and open competition. This reduction in competition could potentially lead to less aggressive pricing, as the number of bidders vying for the contract is smaller. The specific impact on pricing would depend on how many sources remained eligible and their respective competitive postures.
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: 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: NNG17591526R
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 10210 GREENBELT RD STE 600, LANHAM, MD, 20706
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, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $710,200,000
Exercised Options: $710,200,000
Current Obligation: $670,397,278
Actual Outlays: $618,240,277
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 339
Total Subaward Amount: $1,989,325,292
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-11-01
Current End Date: 2025-05-08
Potential End Date: 2025-05-08 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-28
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