NASA awards $2.18M contract for lunar dust contamination modeling, with Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. as the sole provider
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,182,218 ($2.2M)
Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-10-31
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 699 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT CONTRACT II (SPEACII) - TASK ORDER 125 BASE - EX LUNAR DUST CONTAMINATION MODELING ANALYSIS SUPPORT ASSESSMENT
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77058
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.2 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT CONTRACT II (SPEACII) - TASK ORDER 125 BASE - EX LUNAR DUST CONTAMINATION MODELING ANALYSIS SUPPORT ASSESSMENT Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.18M for specialized engineering assessment. 2. Task order awarded under a broader BPA, indicating pre-negotiated terms. 3. Sole-source award suggests limited market availability or specific expertise required. 4. Contract duration of approximately two years, ending September 2026. 5. Focus on lunar dust contamination modeling highlights critical space exploration research needs. 6. Firm Fixed Price contract type shifts risk to the contractor. 7. Texas-based contractor Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. will perform the work.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.18M for specialized engineering services appears reasonable given the niche expertise required for lunar dust contamination modeling. However, without direct comparisons to similar task orders under the SPEACII BPA or other government contracts for this specific type of analysis, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, but the absence of competition limits the potential for price negotiation and discovery.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) and was awarded as a sole-source BPA Call. This indicates that the agency likely identified Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. as the only source capable of performing the required specialized engineering assessment for lunar dust contamination modeling. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for other firms to bid, potentially limiting price discovery and the government's ability to secure the best possible price.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers did not benefit from competitive bidding, which could have led to lower prices. The government paid the price determined by the contractor without the pressure of competing offers.
Public Impact
NASA benefits from specialized expertise in lunar dust contamination modeling, crucial for future space missions. The services delivered will support the assessment and mitigation of risks associated with lunar dust. The geographic impact is primarily NASA's research and development centers, with potential implications for future lunar base development. Workforce implications include the utilization of highly skilled engineers and scientists specializing in aerospace and materials science.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure, potentially impacting cost-effectiveness.
- Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source award.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical specialized analysis.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
- Awarded under an existing BPA, suggesting a streamlined process for pre-qualified vendors.
- Contractor has a track record with NASA, implying familiarity with agency needs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically focusing on specialized professional services for aerospace applications. The market for such niche expertise is likely limited, with a few key players possessing the required knowledge in areas like planetary science and contamination modeling. NASA's spending in this area is critical for advancing space exploration technologies and ensuring mission success, particularly for lunar endeavors where dust is a significant environmental challenge.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not awarded to a small business, and there is no indication of small business subcontracting requirements. The nature of the specialized engineering services likely requires a firm with extensive resources and specific, advanced capabilities that may not be readily available from small businesses in this niche field.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through its contracting officers and technical representatives. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by establishing a ceiling cost. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source award, but NASA's internal procurement regulations and potential Inspector General reviews would provide accountability.
Related Government Programs
- STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT CONTRACT II (SPEACII)
- NASA Engineering Services Contracts
- Aerospace Engineering Support
- Lunar Exploration Support Services
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Limited competition justification
- Potential for cost overruns if scope is not well-defined (though FFP mitigates this for the government)
Tags
engineering-services, nasa, texas, firm-fixed-price, sole-source, research-and-development, aerospace, space-exploration, modeling-and-simulation, bpa-call
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.2 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT CONTRACT II (SPEACII) - TASK ORDER 125 BASE - EX LUNAR DUST CONTAMINATION MODELING ANALYSIS SUPPORT 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 $2.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-10-31. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the specific expertise Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. brings to lunar dust contamination modeling?
Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. is a global technology and engineering firm with extensive experience in providing professional services to government agencies, including NASA. For lunar dust contamination modeling, their expertise likely encompasses advanced computational fluid dynamics, materials science, and space environment simulation. They would leverage their scientific and engineering teams to develop and validate models that predict how lunar dust, with its unique abrasive and electrostatic properties, can impact spacecraft, habitats, and astronaut health. This includes understanding dust generation, transport, adhesion, and potential mitigation strategies, drawing on their broader capabilities in systems engineering, risk assessment, and mission support for complex aerospace projects.
How does the $2.18M contract value compare to similar NASA engineering contracts?
Direct comparison of this $2.18M contract value to similar NASA engineering contracts is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of all NASA procurements, especially for highly specialized task orders. However, for niche engineering assessments related to space exploration, values in the low millions are not uncommon. Contracts for specialized analysis, modeling, and simulation often require highly skilled personnel and advanced software, justifying such costs. The firm fixed-price nature also implies that the contractor has factored in all potential costs and risks. Without specific benchmarks for lunar dust modeling, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent or questionable value, but it falls within a plausible range for specialized R&D support.
What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract award?
The primary risks associated with this sole-source contract award stem from the lack of competition. Firstly, there's a risk of paying a higher price than might have been achieved in a competitive bidding process, as there's no market pressure to drive down costs. Secondly, without competing proposals, NASA may not have explored the full range of innovative solutions or approaches that different contractors might offer. Thirdly, there's a potential for reduced contractor diligence if they perceive less risk of losing future business due to a lack of competitive alternatives. Finally, the justification for sole-source procurement needs to be robust to ensure public funds are used appropriately and that the agency isn't inadvertently limiting its access to a broader supplier base.
How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in managing costs for this project?
The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in managing costs for projects where the scope of work is well-defined and the risks are understood, as is often the case with specialized modeling and analysis. Under an FFP contract, the contractor assumes the primary responsibility for all costs incurred and is only reimbursed the agreed-upon price. This provides the government with cost certainty and incentivizes the contractor to control expenses and perform efficiently to maximize their profit. For NASA, this means the $2.18M is the total cost, regardless of the contractor's actual expenses, shifting the financial risk of cost overruns to Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.
What is NASA's historical spending on engineering services similar to this task order?
NASA historically spends billions of dollars annually on a wide array of engineering services, encompassing research, development, design, testing, and mission support. While specific figures for 'lunar dust contamination modeling analysis support assessment' are not readily available as a distinct category, NASA consistently procures specialized engineering expertise through various contract vehicles, including Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts, and task orders under larger IDIQs like SPEACII. Spending in areas related to planetary science, materials science, and spacecraft systems engineering is substantial, reflecting the complexity and demands of space exploration. The $2.18M for this specific task order represents a small fraction of NASA's overall engineering services budget, but it highlights the agency's commitment to addressing critical environmental factors for lunar missions.
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: $2,182,218
Exercised Options: $2,182,218
Current Obligation: $2,182,218
Actual Outlays: $1,011,218
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80JSC023AA001
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-10-31
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-19
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