NASA awards $2.8M task order for Earth Science Division assessments to Booz Allen Hamilton
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,831,017 ($2.8M)
Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-10-01
End Date: 2027-03-31
Contract Duration: 546 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: TASK ORDER 165 BASE - ASSESSMENTS FOR EARTH SCIENCE DIVISION AND ITS PROGRAM COMPONENTS 2025-2026.
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77058
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: TASK ORDER 165 BASE - ASSESSMENTS FOR EARTH SCIENCE DIVISION AND ITS PROGRAM COMPONENTS 2025-2026. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical assessments for NASA's Earth Science Division. 2. Booz Allen Hamilton, a large incumbent contractor, received the award. 3. The contract duration is 546 days, ending in March 2027. 4. Awarded as a BPA Call under a previously established agreement. 5. Task order is firm-fixed-price, indicating defined scope and cost. 6. Geographic location of performance is Texas.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.8 million for a 546-day period appears reasonable for specialized engineering and assessment services. However, without specific deliverables or a detailed breakdown of the work, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar task orders for scientific program assessments within NASA or other agencies would provide better context. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests a defined scope, which can help control costs if well-managed.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). This suggests it may have been awarded under an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) or through other non-full and open competition methods. The specific competition details, such as the number of bidders or the rationale for not conducting a broader competition, are not fully clear from the provided information. Further investigation into the BPA's terms and the specific award justification would be needed.
Taxpayer Impact: When contracts are not fully competed, taxpayers may not benefit from the most competitive pricing that could be achieved through a wider solicitation process.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's Earth Science Division by providing essential assessments for program components. Supports the ongoing operations and strategic planning of Earth science initiatives. Work is performed in Texas, potentially impacting the local economy and workforce. Ensures the continued effectiveness and efficiency of NASA's Earth observation and research programs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of clear competition details raises concerns about potential price optimization.
- Reliance on incumbent contractors without robust competition can limit innovation.
- The specific nature of 'assessments' needs further definition to gauge true value.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the defined scope.
- Award to an experienced contractor like Booz Allen Hamilton suggests a level of confidence in their capabilities.
- Task order falls under a broader BPA, implying some level of pre-negotiated terms and conditions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting scientific research and program management. The market for such services is characterized by a mix of large, established government contractors and specialized niche firms. NASA's Earth Science Division is a significant area of federal investment, requiring ongoing technical expertise for program evaluation and strategic planning. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other agencies' contracts for scientific program support and technical consulting.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not competed under SAP and does not specify small business set-aside provisions. Booz Allen Hamilton is a large business. Therefore, there is no direct indication of small business subcontracting opportunities or direct benefit to the small business ecosystem from this specific award, unless mandated under the parent BPA.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would primarily be managed by NASA contracting officers and program managers responsible for the Earth Science Division. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for delivering the specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency regarding the specific assessment methodologies and findings would depend on NASA's public disclosure policies for such internal program reviews.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Earth Science Programs
- Federal Scientific Research Support Contracts
- Engineering and Technical Consulting Services
- Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
Risk Flags
- Limited Competition Concerns
- Lack of Detailed Deliverables
- Potential for Suboptimal Pricing
Tags
nasa, earth-science, engineering-services, booz-allen-hamilton, task-order, bpa-call, firm-fixed-price, texas, scientific-research, program-assessment, limited-competition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. TASK ORDER 165 BASE - ASSESSMENTS FOR EARTH SCIENCE DIVISION AND ITS PROGRAM COMPONENTS 2025-2026.
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 $2.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2027-03-31.
What specific methodologies and deliverables are expected under this task order for the Earth Science Division assessments?
The provided data does not detail the specific methodologies or deliverables for the 'assessments for Earth Science Division and its program components.' Typically, such assessments could include program reviews, strategic planning evaluations, risk analyses, performance metric evaluations, or technical capability assessments. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope of work, implying that these deliverables should be clearly outlined in the task order itself. Without access to the full task order document, the precise nature of the work remains unspecified. Understanding these details is crucial for evaluating the contract's true value and impact on NASA's scientific endeavors.
How does the $2.8 million value compare to similar NASA contracts for scientific program assessments?
Benchmarking the $2.8 million value requires comparing it to similar task orders or contracts awarded by NASA or other federal agencies for scientific program assessments over comparable durations. Given this is a 546-day (approximately 18-month) contract, the annual value is roughly $1.56 million. This figure needs to be assessed against the complexity and scope of the assessments. For instance, contracts involving extensive data analysis, stakeholder engagement across multiple programs, or the development of complex strategic roadmaps would naturally command higher prices. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent, fair, or questionable value, but it falls within a plausible range for specialized consulting services to a major federal agency.
What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with NASA, particularly in Earth Science or related technical assessment services?
Booz Allen Hamilton is a large, well-established government contractor with a significant history of serving NASA across various domains. They have a broad portfolio of contracts involving systems engineering, program management, IT services, and strategic consulting. Their experience likely includes supporting complex scientific missions and divisions. While specific details on their performance for the Earth Science Division are not provided here, their long-standing presence and extensive contract history with NASA suggest a familiarity with the agency's operations and requirements. A deeper dive into past performance reviews and contract databases would offer more granular insights into their specific successes and challenges in similar roles.
What are the potential risks associated with awarding this task order without a full and open competition?
The primary risk associated with awarding this task order without full and open competition is the potential for suboptimal pricing and reduced innovation. When a contract is not widely competed, the government may not achieve the most advantageous pricing that could result from multiple bidders vying for the work. There's also a risk that alternative solutions or more innovative approaches offered by other potential contractors are not considered. Furthermore, a lack of transparency in the procurement process can raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity for other capable firms. While sole-source or limited competition awards are sometimes justified, they require clear documentation of the rationale to mitigate these risks.
How does this contract align with NASA's broader strategic goals for Earth science research and observation?
This task order directly supports NASA's strategic goals by providing essential assessments for the Earth Science Division. NASA's Earth Science program aims to understand the complex, dynamic Earth system, improve predictions of climate and environmental change, and develop technologies and strategies to benefit society and protect the planet. Assessments conducted under this contract would likely inform program effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, guide future research directions, and ensure alignment with national and international scientific priorities. The insights gained are crucial for maintaining the integrity and impact of NASA's contributions to Earth science.
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: $2,831,017
Exercised Options: $2,831,017
Current Obligation: $2,831,017
Actual Outlays: $698,197
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: 2027-03-31
Potential End Date: 2027-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-23
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