NASA awards $163.5M contract for balloon facility operations, with Peraton Inc. as the prime contractor
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $163,493,095 ($163.5M)
Contractor: Peraton Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-06-01
End Date: 2027-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,947 days
Daily Burn Rate: $84.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE NASA BALLOON FACILITY
Place of Performance
Location: PALESTINE, ANDERSON County, TEXAS, 75803
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $163.5 million to PERATON INC. for work described as: OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE NASA BALLOON FACILITY Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in supporting high-altitude research and technology development. 2. The competition level suggests a robust market for specialized aerospace operations and management services. 3. Performance risk is moderate, given the specialized nature of balloon operations and the contractor's experience. 4. This contract is crucial for maintaining NASA's capabilities in stratospheric research. 5. The sector for aerospace support services is highly specialized, with a few key players dominating. 6. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility but requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total contract value of $163.5 million over approximately 4 years (1947 days) averages to roughly $83,972 per day. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale aerospace operations and management contracts is challenging due to the unique nature of balloon facilities. However, the fixed fee component within the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure provides a baseline for contractor profit, which can be assessed against industry standards. The overall value appears reasonable given the specialized technical requirements and operational scope.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. With six bidders participating, this suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized service. A higher number of bidders generally leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of technical solutions, benefiting the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces and encouraging innovative solutions from a broad base of potential contractors.
Public Impact
Scientists and researchers benefit from continued access to reliable high-altitude balloon launch and recovery services. The contract supports critical scientific missions in areas such as atmospheric research, astronomy, and space science. Geographic impact is primarily centered in Texas, where the balloon facility is located, but the research supported has global scientific implications. The contract supports a specialized workforce in aerospace engineering, operations, and logistics.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts requires vigilant financial oversight.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical infrastructure operations could pose a risk if performance falters.
- Ensuring consistent and timely delivery of specialized technical support services is paramount.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
- Contractor (Peraton Inc.) has a track record in government contracting, suggesting familiarity with federal requirements.
- The fixed fee component provides a degree of cost predictability for the government.
Sector Analysis
The aerospace support services sector is characterized by high technical barriers to entry and significant capital investment. This contract falls within the broader engineering services industry, specifically focusing on specialized operations and management for unique research platforms like NASA's balloon facilities. The market is relatively concentrated, with a few large defense and aerospace contractors capable of undertaking such complex endeavors. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the niche nature of balloon operations, but large-scale facility management contracts in the aerospace sector can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb: false'. While Peraton Inc. is the prime contractor, there is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans or goals for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist and how they might impact the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), specifically the relevant program offices overseeing the balloon facility. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates robust financial monitoring to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. Transparency will depend on NASA's reporting practices and any public disclosures related to contract performance. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Programs
- Aerospace Operations Support
- Scientific Balloon Programs
- Government Facility Management Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost Control in CPFF Contracts
- Contractor Performance Monitoring
- Market Concentration in Specialized Aerospace Services
Tags
nasa, aerospace, operations-and-management, balloon-facility, engineering-services, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, texas, definitive-contract, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $163.5 million to PERATON INC.. OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE NASA BALLOON FACILITY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PERATON 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 $163.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-06-01. End: 2027-09-30.
What is Peraton Inc.'s track record with NASA and similar government agencies for operations and management contracts?
Peraton Inc. has a significant history of performing complex operations and management services for various U.S. government agencies, including NASA and the Department of Defense. Their portfolio often includes mission-critical support, satellite operations, and specialized technical services. For NASA, Peraton has been involved in various projects, demonstrating capability in managing large-scale, technically demanding contracts. Their experience in areas like space operations and ground support systems suggests a strong foundation for managing the NASA Balloon Facility. A detailed review of their past performance metrics, including on-time delivery, budget adherence, and technical success rates on similar contracts, would provide further insight into their reliability for this specific award.
How does the daily cost of this contract compare to other large-scale aerospace facility management contracts?
The daily cost for this contract, averaging approximately $83,972 ($163.5M / 1947 days), is difficult to benchmark directly against 'other large-scale aerospace facility management contracts' without more specific data on the scope and services provided by those comparable contracts. Aerospace facility management can encompass a wide range of services, from simple maintenance to highly specialized launch operations. Contracts for managing launch sites, satellite ground stations, or complex research facilities can vary significantly in cost based on infrastructure, personnel, security requirements, and the criticality of the operations. Given the specialized nature of balloon operations, including launch, recovery, and payload integration support, this daily rate appears to be within a reasonable range for a government contract of this magnitude and technical complexity, assuming it covers comprehensive operational support.
What are the primary risks associated with a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for operations and management?
The primary risks associated with a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract, such as this one for the NASA Balloon Facility, revolve around cost control and contractor incentives. For the government, the main risk is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs rigorously because all allowable costs are reimbursed, plus a fixed fee. This can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently. The contractor's risk is limited to ensuring they do not exceed the estimated cost to earn their fixed fee, but they are guaranteed the fee regardless of cost efficiency beyond that. Effective oversight, detailed cost tracking, and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for taxpayer money.
How effective is the full and open competition process in ensuring competitive pricing for specialized aerospace services?
The full and open competition process is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring competitive pricing for specialized aerospace services, provided there is sufficient market capacity. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive proposals. In this case, with six bidders for the NASA Balloon Facility contract, the competition likely drove down prices and encouraged innovative technical approaches. However, the effectiveness can be limited if the market for highly specialized services is inherently constrained, meaning only a few firms possess the necessary qualifications. In such scenarios, even full and open competition might result in fewer bids than desired, but it still provides the best mechanism for price discovery and value assessment.
What are the historical spending patterns for NASA's balloon facility operations, and how does this contract compare?
Historical spending data for NASA's balloon facility operations prior to this contract award would be necessary for a direct comparison. However, the total value of $163.5 million over approximately 4 years suggests a significant and sustained investment in this capability. If previous contracts for similar services were awarded at lower values or for shorter durations, this could indicate an increase in operational scope, inflation, or a more comprehensive service requirement. Conversely, if past spending was similar or higher, it might suggest a consistent level of investment. Analyzing the duration, scope, and value of previous contracts awarded to incumbent or competing firms for this facility would provide crucial context for assessing whether current spending represents an increase, decrease, or stable trend.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 80GSFC20R0031
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Veritas Capital Fund Management, L.L.C.
Address: 12975 WORLDGATE DR STE 7322, HERNDON, VA, 20170
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $329,912,726
Exercised Options: $276,998,183
Current Obligation: $163,493,095
Actual Outlays: $121,732,029
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 108
Total Subaward Amount: $31,598,423
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-06-01
Current End Date: 2027-09-30
Potential End Date: 2029-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-17
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