NASA's Postdoctoral Program Management Contract Awarded to Oak Ridge Associated Universities for $93.6M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $93,653,482 ($93.7M)
Contractor: OAK Ridge Associated Universities, Incorporated
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-01-30
End Date: 2027-01-29
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $51.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OF THE NASA POSTDOCTORAL PROGRAM 2
Place of Performance
Location: OAK RIDGE, ANDERSON County, TENNESSEE, 37830
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $93.7 million to OAK RIDGE ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES, INCORPORATED for work described as: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OF THE NASA POSTDOCTORAL PROGRAM 2 Key points: 1. The contract is for program management of NASA's Postdoctoral Program. 2. Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc. is the contractor. 3. The contract has a duration of 5 years. 4. The total award value is $93.6 million. 5. The service falls under Human Resources Consulting Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $93.6 million for 5 years of program management services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar HR consulting contracts for large-scale program management would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for this critical program management function.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's research and development by managing postdoctoral fellows. Facilitates scientific advancement and talent development within NASA. Impacts the careers of numerous postdoctoral researchers annually. Ensures continuity and quality of NASA's fellowship programs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- No small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition awarded.
- Long-term contract provides stability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Human Resources Consulting Services sector, specifically focused on managing a prestigious fellowship program. Spending benchmarks for similar program management contracts within government agencies can vary widely based on complexity and scale.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award, as the 'sb' field is false. Future contracts could explore opportunities for small business involvement in specialized program support roles.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Oversight would focus on ensuring the effective management of the postdoctoral program, adherence to contract terms, and successful placement of fellows.
Related Government Programs
- Human Resources Consulting Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- No small business participation.
- Potential for contractor performance issues impacting program continuity.
- Reliance on a single entity for critical program management.
- Attracting and retaining top postdoctoral talent can be challenging.
Tags
human-resources-consulting-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, tn, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $93.7 million to OAK RIDGE ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES, INCORPORATED. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OF THE NASA POSTDOCTORAL PROGRAM 2
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is OAK RIDGE ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES, INCORPORATED.
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 $93.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-01-30. End: 2027-01-29.
What is the specific value proposition of Oak Ridge Associated Universities in managing this program?
Oak Ridge Associated Universities likely offers specialized expertise in managing complex scientific fellowship programs, including recruitment, vetting, and administrative support for postdoctoral researchers. Their established infrastructure and experience in the academic and research community are key value drivers, ensuring efficient operations and a high-quality experience for both NASA and the fellows.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract?
Key risks include potential disruptions to the fellowship program if the contractor underperforms, challenges in attracting top-tier postdoctoral candidates, and ensuring equitable opportunities across diverse research areas. There's also a risk of cost overruns if program management becomes inefficient or if unforeseen administrative complexities arise during the contract period.
How effective is this contract in supporting NASA's research and development goals?
The contract's effectiveness hinges on its ability to successfully recruit, onboard, and support high-caliber postdoctoral researchers who contribute to NASA's scientific objectives. If the program management is seamless and attracts leading talent, it directly enhances NASA's R&D capacity. Performance metrics related to fellow productivity and program satisfaction would be crucial indicators of effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Human Resources Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 80HQTR20R0013
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 100 ORAU WAY, OAK RIDGE, TN, 37830
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Foundation, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $129,738,128
Exercised Options: $129,738,128
Current Obligation: $93,653,482
Actual Outlays: $80,879,479
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-01-30
Current End Date: 2027-01-29
Potential End Date: 2027-01-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-17
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