NASA Awards $5.8M Water/Sewer Contract to KSC and KARS, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,839,315 ($5.8M)
Contractor: City of Cocoa
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2021-05-28
End Date: 2026-05-30
Contract Duration: 1,828 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: CONTRACT AWARD FOR WATER AND SEWER TO KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AND KARS.
Place of Performance
Location: ORLANDO, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32899
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $5.8 million to CITY OF COCOA for work described as: CONTRACT AWARD FOR WATER AND SEWER TO KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AND KARS. Key points: 1. Significant award value of $5.8M for essential infrastructure. 2. Lack of competition raises concerns about price discovery and value. 3. Contract awarded to Kennedy Space Center and KARS, suggesting internal or limited external sourcing. 4. Sector is Water Supply and Irrigation Systems, critical for facility operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value is $5.8M. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to market rates for similar water and sewer system services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This significantly limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these essential water and sewer services.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation of vital water and sewer systems at Kennedy Space Center. Potential for higher costs due to limited competition impacts taxpayer funds. Reliability of service is paramount for NASA's space exploration missions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Limited transparency in award process
Positive Signals
- Essential service provision
- Award to established entities (KSC/KARS)
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Water Supply and Irrigation Systems, a critical infrastructure sector. Spending in this area is often driven by necessity and long-term operational needs rather than market fluctuations.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract award (ss: false, sb: false).
Oversight & Accountability
The award was a Purchase Order, which typically has less stringent oversight than larger, more complex contract vehicles. The lack of competition warrants closer scrutiny.
Related Government Programs
- Water Supply and Irrigation Systems
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited transparency in award justification
- No small business participation
Tags
water-supply-and-irrigation-systems, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, fl, purchase-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $5.8 million to CITY OF COCOA. CONTRACT AWARD FOR WATER AND SEWER TO KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AND KARS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CITY OF COCOA.
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 $5.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-05-28. End: 2026-05-30.
What is the justification for awarding this contract without full and open competition?
The contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. A detailed justification is required to understand why full and open competition was not feasible. This could be due to unique capabilities, urgent needs, or specific agency requirements that limit the pool of potential contractors, impacting the ability to achieve the best possible price.
How can the agency ensure fair pricing without a competitive process?
Without competition, the agency must rely on robust internal cost analysis, independent government cost estimates, and potentially benchmarking against similar services procured competitively elsewhere. Regular reviews and audits are crucial to identify any potential overpricing and ensure the value received aligns with the funds expended.
What is the long-term risk associated with non-competitive awards for essential services?
The primary long-term risk is the normalization of non-competitive awards, leading to reduced innovation and efficiency. It can also create a perception of favoritism and erode public trust. For essential services, it may also lead to a lack of incentive for contractors to improve performance or reduce costs over time.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Utilities › Water, Sewage and Other Systems › Water Supply and Irrigation Systems
Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › UTILITIES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 65 STONE STREET, COCOA, FL, 32922
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,839,315
Exercised Options: $5,839,315
Current Obligation: $5,839,315
Actual Outlays: $5,431,829
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-05-28
Current End Date: 2026-05-30
Potential End Date: 2026-05-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-16
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