NASA awards $325K to Booz Allen Hamilton for Space Technology Research Grants Program operations assessment
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $325,350 ($325.4K)
Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-06-27
End Date: 2027-06-26
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $894/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TASK ORDER 184 - BASE - NASA SPACE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH GRANTS PROGRAM OPERATIONS ASSESSMENT
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77058
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $325,350 to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: TASK ORDER 184 - BASE - NASA SPACE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH GRANTS PROGRAM OPERATIONS ASSESSMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating defined scope and cost. 2. The contract is a task order under a broader BPA Call, suggesting pre-negotiated terms. 3. Operations assessment focuses on program efficiency and effectiveness. 4. Awarded to a single, established contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton. 5. Duration of one year with potential for extension. 6. Geographic location of performance is Texas.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $325,350 for a one-year operations assessment appears reasonable for a specialized service. Benchmarking against similar program assessment contracts is difficult without more detailed scope information. However, given the contractor's experience and the nature of the work, the pricing is likely within a competitive range for this type of specialized consulting. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded as a BPA Call task order. The specific details of the competition for the underlying BPA are not provided, but this individual task order was not competed. This suggests that the need was likely fulfilled through an existing contract vehicle where Booz Allen Hamilton was previously selected, potentially limiting direct price comparison for this specific task.
Taxpayer Impact: A sole-source award means taxpayers did not benefit from competitive bidding for this specific task order, potentially leading to a higher price than if multiple firms had competed.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA's Space Technology Research Grants Program, which will receive insights to improve operations. The services delivered include an assessment of program operations, likely focusing on efficiency, effectiveness, and best practices. The geographic impact is primarily within Texas, where the contractor will perform the work. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team of analysts from Booz Allen Hamilton.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition for this specific task order limits price discovery.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical program assessments may reduce market pressure.
- The specific deliverables and success metrics of the assessment are not detailed, posing a risk to evaluating true value.
Positive Signals
- Award to an experienced contractor with a track record in government consulting.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- The task order is part of a larger BPA, suggesting a streamlined procurement process for a known entity.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting government research and development programs. The market for program assessment and management consulting services for federal agencies is substantial. NASA's Space Technology Research Grants Program is a key initiative, and ensuring its operational efficiency is crucial for advancing technological innovation. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar program assessments vary widely based on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore neutral to none.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award and the lack of detailed public information on the BPA's competition. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate
- NASA Grants Management System
- Federal R&D Program Management Support
- Government Consulting Services
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Limited public detail on BPA competition
- Potential for limited price discovery
Tags
nasa, booz-allen-hamilton, space-technology, research-grants, operations-assessment, engineering-services, firm-fixed-price, sole-source, texas, bpa-call, program-management
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $325,350 to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. TASK ORDER 184 - BASE - NASA SPACE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH GRANTS PROGRAM OPERATIONS 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 $325,350.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-06-27. End: 2027-06-26.
What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with NASA for similar program assessment contracts?
Booz Allen Hamilton has a significant and long-standing relationship with NASA, providing a wide range of services including program management, systems engineering, and strategic consulting. They have supported numerous NASA directorates and missions over the years. While specific details on past 'operations assessment' contracts for NASA's research grant programs are not publicly itemized in this data, their extensive experience with federal agencies and complex program evaluations suggests a strong capability. Their historical performance with NASA generally indicates a capacity to deliver on complex analytical tasks, though the success of any individual contract depends on specific objectives and execution.
How does the $325,350 value compare to similar NASA program assessment contracts?
Benchmarking the $325,350 value for this one-year operations assessment is challenging without a detailed scope of work and comparison points. However, for a specialized consulting engagement focused on program evaluation within a federal agency, this amount appears to be within a reasonable range. Contracts for comprehensive program reviews or strategic planning can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars depending on the size and complexity of the program being assessed, the duration, and the level of detail required. Given this is a task order under a BPA, the underlying rate structure was likely established previously. This specific value suggests a focused assessment rather than an exhaustive overhaul.
What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source award for an operations assessment?
The primary risk associated with this sole-source award is the potential for suboptimal value due to the lack of competitive pressure. Without competing bids, there's a risk that the price may be higher than it would be in a competitive environment, and the scope of work might not be as rigorously defined or optimized. Another risk is the potential for 'contractor lock-in,' where the agency becomes overly reliant on a single provider for critical assessments. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the assessment itself hinges on the contractor's objectivity and the clarity of the defined objectives, which are not fully detailed in the provided data.
How effective is an operations assessment likely to be in improving NASA's Space Technology Research Grants Program?
The effectiveness of an operations assessment hinges critically on several factors: the clarity and specificity of the objectives set by NASA, the thoroughness and analytical rigor of Booz Allen Hamilton's work, and NASA's commitment to implementing the recommendations. A well-executed assessment can identify inefficiencies, suggest process improvements, enhance resource allocation, and ensure alignment with strategic goals, thereby improving the program's overall impact and efficiency. Conversely, if the assessment is superficial, lacks actionable insights, or if NASA does not act on the findings, its effectiveness will be limited. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope, which can aid in focused outcomes.
What has been NASA's historical spending on program assessment and management consulting services?
NASA historically spends significant amounts on program assessment, management consulting, and related support services across its various directorates and missions. This spending is essential for ensuring the effective execution of complex, large-scale projects and programs, including research and technology development. While specific aggregate figures for 'program assessment' alone are not readily available, NASA's overall contracting data shows billions of dollars awarded annually for professional services, engineering support, and scientific research. Contracts like this task order represent a small fraction of NASA's total contracting budget but are crucial for program oversight and improvement.
What are the potential implications of this contract being a task order under a BPA Call?
This contract being a task order under a BPA (Blanket Purchase Agreement) Call implies that the foundational agreement and potentially the pricing structure were established through a prior, likely competitive, procurement process for the BPA itself. This streamlines the acquisition process for individual task orders, reducing administrative burden and lead time. However, it also means that the competition for this specific task order is bypassed. The government benefits from pre-negotiated terms, but taxpayers may not see the direct benefit of competition for the specific services rendered under this task order. The quality and value are presumed to be consistent with the terms established for the BPA.
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: $325,350
Exercised Options: $325,350
Current Obligation: $325,350
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80JSC023AA001
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-06-27
Current End Date: 2027-06-26
Potential End Date: 2027-06-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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