NASA awards $147M contract for sub-orbital payload design, fabrication, and launch services to Peraton Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $147,263,794 ($147.3M)
Contractor: Peraton Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-10-01
End Date: 2028-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $80.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: NSROC IV CONTRACTOR SHALL DESIGN, FABRICATE, INTEGRATE, & PERFORM FLIGHT QUALIFICATION TESTING OF SUB-ORBITAL PAYLOADS, PROVIDE LAUNCH VEHICLES & ASSOCIATED HARDWARE, & PROVIDE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH SUBSEQUENT MISSION LAUNCH OPERATIONS
Place of Performance
Location: WALLOPS ISLAND, ACCOMACK County, VIRGINIA, 23337
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $147.3 million to PERATON INC. for work described as: NSROC IV CONTRACTOR SHALL DESIGN, FABRICATE, INTEGRATE, & PERFORM FLIGHT QUALIFICATION TESTING OF SUB-ORBITAL PAYLOADS, PROVIDE LAUNCH VEHICLES & ASSOCIATED HARDWARE, & PROVIDE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH SUBSEQUENT MISSION LAUNCH OPERATIONS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical sub-orbital payload development and launch operations. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust market for these specialized services. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), incentivizing performance and cost control. 4. Duration of the contract is five years, indicating a long-term need for these capabilities. 5. The award value of $147.26 million reflects the complexity and scope of the services required. 6. Peraton Inc. is the sole awardee, highlighting their specialized expertise in this niche.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $147.26 million over five years suggests a significant investment in sub-orbital payload capabilities. Benchmarking this against similar complex aerospace development and launch contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure indicates NASA's intent to achieve value by incentivizing contractor performance and cost efficiency, which is a positive sign for value for money.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The fact that there were 7 bids received indicates a healthy level of competition within the specialized field of sub-orbital payload development and launch services. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring that NASA receives competitive pricing for the services rendered.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces and encourages multiple companies to vie for the contract, potentially leading to better value and innovation.
Public Impact
This contract directly supports NASA's scientific research and exploration objectives by enabling the development and deployment of sub-orbital payloads. The services provided will facilitate various scientific experiments and technology demonstrations conducted in the near-space environment. The geographic impact is primarily centered around Peraton's facilities and potential launch sites, with broader implications for the scientific community utilizing the data. Workforce implications include specialized engineering, fabrication, testing, and launch operations roles, likely concentrated in areas with aerospace industry presence.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed diligently, as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus an award fee based on performance.
- The specialized nature of the work may limit the pool of qualified contractors, potentially impacting future competition.
- Reliance on a single contractor for design, fabrication, and launch could pose risks if performance issues arise.
Positive Signals
- The contract is awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive market and potentially favorable pricing.
- The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure incentivizes contractor performance and cost control, aiming for better value.
- The five-year duration suggests a stable, long-term need and commitment from NASA, providing predictability for the contractor and supporting sustained operations.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on engineering services, launch vehicle development, and mission operations. The market for sub-orbital launch services is growing, driven by increased demand from scientific research, technology development, and commercial space activities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other government contracts for payload integration, launch services, and related engineering support, often in the hundreds of millions of dollars for complex, multi-year programs.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. However, Peraton Inc. may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their overall business strategy, which could provide opportunities within the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a Cost Plus Award Fee contract, NASA will closely monitor allowable costs and evaluate Peraton Inc.'s performance against established criteria to determine the award fee. Transparency will be maintained through regular reporting requirements and contract reviews. NASA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Launch Services Program
- NASA Small Spacecraft Technology Program
- DoD Space Test Program
- Commercial Launch Services
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type requires diligent oversight to ensure value for money.
- Potential for cost overruns if award fee criteria are not precisely managed.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical design, fabrication, and launch phases.
- Specialized nature of services may limit future competition if market consolidation occurs.
Tags
nasa, aerospace, engineering-services, launch-services, sub-orbital, payload-development, cost-plus-award-fee, full-and-open-competition, definitive-contract, virginia, peraton-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $147.3 million to PERATON INC.. NSROC IV CONTRACTOR SHALL DESIGN, FABRICATE, INTEGRATE, & PERFORM FLIGHT QUALIFICATION TESTING OF SUB-ORBITAL PAYLOADS, PROVIDE LAUNCH VEHICLES & ASSOCIATED HARDWARE, & PROVIDE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH SUBSEQUENT MISSION LAUNCH OPERATIONS
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 $147.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-10-01. End: 2028-09-30.
What is Peraton Inc.'s track record with NASA and similar government contracts, particularly in sub-orbital payload development and launch services?
Peraton Inc. has a significant history of performing complex aerospace and defense contracts for various government agencies, including NASA. While specific details on their sub-orbital payload design, fabrication, and launch services are not provided in this summary, their broader portfolio often includes satellite operations, space systems development, and mission support. Their experience in managing large, technically demanding programs suggests a capability to handle the requirements of the NSROC IV contract. A deeper dive into their past performance on cost, schedule, and technical execution for similar projects would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record.
How does the $147.26 million contract value compare to similar sub-orbital payload development and launch contracts awarded by NASA or other agencies?
The $147.26 million value over five years for sub-orbital payload design, fabrication, integration, and launch services is substantial and reflects the complexity and duration of the work. Without specific details on the payloads and launch vehicles involved, direct comparisons are difficult. However, other NASA contracts for payload integration, launch vehicle services, and related engineering support often range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the mission's scope, technological requirements, and number of launches. This contract appears to be within the expected range for a comprehensive, multi-year sub-orbital program.
What are the primary risk indicators associated with this Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract structure for NASA?
The primary risk indicator for a CPAF contract is the potential for cost overruns if the award fee criteria are not tightly defined or if the contractor's performance, while meeting award fee targets, still results in higher-than-expected costs. NASA must diligently manage the contract to ensure that the award fee truly reflects exceptional performance and that allowable costs are reasonable and allocable. Another risk is the contractor potentially focusing on achieving award fee metrics rather than the most critical mission objectives if the two are not perfectly aligned. Effective oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.
How effective is the full and open competition process in ensuring competitive pricing for specialized sub-orbital launch services?
Full and open competition is generally the most effective method for ensuring competitive pricing, as it allows the widest possible range of qualified contractors to bid. For specialized services like sub-orbital payload development and launch, the effectiveness depends on the actual number of capable providers in the market. Receiving 7 bids suggests a reasonably competitive landscape. This process encourages bidders to offer their best pricing and technical solutions to win the contract. The resulting price discovery helps taxpayers benefit from market forces, driving down costs compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.
What are the historical spending patterns for NASA in the area of sub-orbital payload development and launch services?
NASA's historical spending on sub-orbital payload development and launch services has varied significantly based on its research priorities, exploration goals, and the availability of launch platforms. Historically, NASA has utilized various vehicles, including sounding rockets and dedicated small launch vehicles, for scientific missions. Spending in this area can fluctuate year-to-year, with peaks occurring during periods of intensive research campaigns or the development of new payload capabilities. Analyzing past contract awards for similar services would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of services procured, providing context for the current $147 million award.
What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader sub-orbital launch market and related technology development?
This contract has the potential to significantly impact the sub-orbital launch market by providing a substantial, long-term demand signal for Peraton Inc. This can lead to increased investment in infrastructure, technology, and workforce development within the company and potentially its supply chain. It may also spur innovation as Peraton strives to meet performance objectives and earn award fees. Furthermore, the success of this program could enhance Peraton's reputation and competitiveness for future sub-orbital and small launch opportunities, influencing market dynamics and potentially driving down costs for future users through economies of scale and technological advancements.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 80GSFC21R0037
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
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: $335,889,051
Exercised Options: $274,853,543
Current Obligation: $147,263,794
Actual Outlays: $99,645,386
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 58
Total Subaward Amount: $65,094,323
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-10-01
Current End Date: 2028-09-30
Potential End Date: 2028-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-19
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