NASA's Artemis Mission Directorate awards Booz Allen Hamilton $2.2M for Strategic Assessment II
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,195,654 ($2.2M)
Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-10-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: TASK ORDER 162, BASE - ARTEMIS EXPLORATION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT MISSION DIRECTORATE (ESDMD) STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT II
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: TASK ORDER 162, BASE - ARTEMIS EXPLORATION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT MISSION DIRECTORATE (ESDMD) STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT II Key points: 1. Booz Allen Hamilton, a large incumbent contractor, secured this task order. 2. The contract is for engineering services related to NASA's Artemis program. 3. Awarded under a BPA Call, it was not competed under SAP. 4. The firm fixed price contract runs for one year, ending September 2026.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $2.2M award for a one-year duration appears reasonable for strategic assessment services. Benchmarking against similar engineering support contracts for large-scale NASA missions is needed for a definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This task order was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded via a BPA Call. This suggests limited competition, potentially impacting price discovery and value for taxpayer dollars.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of broad competition may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if the requirement had been more widely solicited.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's ambitious Artemis program, crucial for future space exploration. Funds critical strategic assessment for mission success and risk mitigation. The award impacts the aerospace engineering services sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about optimal pricing.
- Reliance on incumbent contractors can stifle innovation.
- Lack of SAP competition may indicate a missed opportunity for cost savings.
Positive Signals
- Supports a high-priority national space exploration initiative.
- Utilizes established contractor with relevant expertise.
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), supporting a major government initiative. Spending benchmarks for similar strategic assessment and engineering support contracts within NASA and the broader aerospace industry would provide further context.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, Booz Allen Hamilton, is a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific task order, suggesting a missed opportunity for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is likely managed by NASA's ESDMD program office. The BPA Call mechanism implies pre-negotiated terms, but the specific oversight of this task order's performance and cost management needs further review.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Potential for suboptimal pricing
- Lack of small business participation
- Reliance on incumbent contractor
Tags
engineering-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, tx, bpa-call, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.2 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. TASK ORDER 162, BASE - ARTEMIS EXPLORATION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT MISSION DIRECTORATE (ESDMD) STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT II
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: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What specific deliverables are expected from this strategic assessment, and how will their quality be measured to ensure value for money?
The strategic assessment is expected to provide critical analysis and recommendations for the Artemis Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. Key deliverables likely include risk assessments, technology readiness evaluations, and strategic planning roadmaps. Measuring quality will involve assessing the thoroughness of the analysis, the actionable nature of recommendations, and alignment with NASA's mission objectives. Independent reviews or peer assessments by NASA technical experts would be crucial for validating the assessment's value.
Given the limited competition, what steps were taken to ensure the pricing is fair and reasonable compared to market rates for similar services?
Since this was a BPA Call and not competed under SAP, the agency likely relied on pre-negotiated rates within the original BPA. However, without a competitive bidding process for this specific task order, it's crucial to verify if NASA conducted a price analysis against market data or historical pricing for comparable services. The absence of a competitive solicitation raises questions about whether the government secured the best possible price.
How does this strategic assessment contribute to the overall effectiveness and risk mitigation of the Artemis program?
This strategic assessment is intended to proactively identify potential challenges, risks, and opportunities within the Artemis program's development and execution phases. By providing expert analysis, it aims to inform decision-making, optimize resource allocation, and enhance mission resilience. Its effectiveness hinges on the depth of insights provided and the agency's subsequent adoption of its recommendations to improve program outcomes and reduce the likelihood of costly failures or delays.
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: $2,195,654
Exercised Options: $2,195,654
Current Obligation: $2,195,654
Actual Outlays: $554,589
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80JSC023AA001
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-10-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-05
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