NASA's $15M Moon to Mars Engineering Contract Awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton Under Sole-Source Basis
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,059,693 ($15.1M)
Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-04-09
End Date: 2026-02-28
Contract Duration: 690 days
Daily Burn Rate: $21.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Engineering Services
Official Description: STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT CONTRACT (SPEACII) - MOON TO MARS DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77058
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $15.1 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT CONTRACT (SPEACII) - MOON TO MARS DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT Key points: 1. Contract value of $15.1M for strategic professional engineering assessment. 2. Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating limited competition. 3. Risk of higher costs due to sole-source award and potential lack of price discovery. 4. Engineering services sector, with a focus on NASA's ambitious space exploration goals.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $15.1M appears reasonable for specialized engineering services. However, without competitive bidding, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents the best value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded on a sole-source basis. This limits price discovery and may lead to higher costs compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not be receiving the most cost-effective solution available.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's 'Moon to Mars' initiative, a high-profile national objective. Potential for technological advancements in space exploration engineering. Booz Allen Hamilton's expertise is critical for complex strategic assessments.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Potential for cost overruns without competitive pressure.
- Lack of transparency in the procurement process.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical 'Moon to Mars' program needs.
- Leverages established expertise of a known contractor.
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330). Spending in this sector is often driven by complex government projects requiring specialized technical expertise, with values varying significantly based on project scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. and there is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific award, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by NASA, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. However, the sole-source nature warrants close monitoring to ensure fair pricing and effective service delivery.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.
- Limited transparency in the procurement process.
- Contract duration of nearly two years may not align with agile development needs.
Tags
engineering-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, tx, bpa-call, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $15.1 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT CONTRACT (SPEACII) - MOON TO MARS DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON 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 $15.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-04-09. End: 2026-02-28.
What specific engineering assessments are being conducted under this contract, and how do they directly contribute to the 'Moon to Mars' objectives?
The contract focuses on 'Strategic Professional Engineering Assessment' for the 'Moon to Mars' program. This likely involves evaluating technical feasibility, identifying risks, and providing expert recommendations for the complex engineering challenges associated with lunar and Martian missions. The assessments are crucial for informing program direction, resource allocation, and ensuring the technical viability of future space exploration endeavors.
Given the sole-source award, what measures are in place to ensure the government is receiving a fair and reasonable price for these engineering services?
While sole-source awards limit competitive benchmarking, the government typically relies on cost and price analysis techniques. This may involve reviewing the contractor's proposed costs, historical pricing on similar work, and industry cost standards. The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type also shifts some risk to the contractor, providing a degree of cost certainty for the government.
How will the effectiveness of Booz Allen Hamilton's engineering assessments be measured to ensure they provide tangible value to NASA's 'Moon to Mars' program?
Effectiveness will likely be measured by the quality and actionable nature of the assessments delivered. Key performance indicators could include the clarity of recommendations, the identification of critical risks, and the extent to which these assessments inform successful program milestones. NASA will likely track the impact of these recommendations on project timelines, budget adherence, and overall mission success.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation
Address: 8283 GREENSBORO DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,059,693
Exercised Options: $15,059,693
Current Obligation: $15,059,693
Actual Outlays: $14,530,324
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 3
Total Subaward Amount: $5,479,513
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80JSC023AA001
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-04-09
Current End Date: 2026-02-28
Potential End Date: 2026-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-12
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