NASA's KPLSS II contract awarded to Amentum Services, Inc. for $18.1M in FY24 for propellants and life support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,092,239 ($18.1M)
Contractor: Amentum Services, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-10-01
End Date: 2024-09-30
Contract Duration: 365 days
Daily Burn Rate: $49.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PROVIDE FISCAL YEAR (FY)24 FUNDING FOR ALL KENNEDY SPACE CENTER PROPELLANTS AND LIFE SUPPORT SERVICES II (KPLSS II) PROGRAMS.
Place of Performance
Location: ORLANDO, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32899
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $18.1 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC. for work described as: PROVIDE FISCAL YEAR (FY)24 FUNDING FOR ALL KENNEDY SPACE CENTER PROPELLANTS AND LIFE SUPPORT SERVICES II (KPLSS II) PROGRAMS. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in essential spaceflight infrastructure. 2. Amentum Services, Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating a potentially concentrated market for these specialized services. 3. The contract duration of one year suggests a need for regular re-evaluation of service provision and pricing. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but requires careful scope management to avoid change orders. 5. Geographic focus on Florida highlights the concentration of NASA's launch and operational activities. 6. The absence of small business set-asides warrants further investigation into subcontracting opportunities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $18.1 million for FY24 appears reasonable for specialized propellants and life support services critical to NASA's operations at Kennedy Space Center. Benchmarking against similar, albeit less frequent, contracts for such niche services is challenging due to limited public data. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an expectation of cost control by the agency. Without specific performance metrics or historical cost data for these exact services, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult, but the award to a single entity implies specialized capabilities.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple capable vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the fact that it was competed openly is a positive sign for price discovery and potential innovation. The agency likely sought proposals that met stringent technical and safety requirements for propellants and life support systems.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and better service quality. It ensures that the government explores the widest possible range of solutions and contractors.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and its astronauts, who rely on these services for safe and successful space missions. Services include the provision of propellants and life support systems essential for launch operations and in-space activities. The geographic impact is concentrated at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a hub for U.S. space exploration. Workforce implications include the need for highly skilled technicians and engineers to manage and operate these critical systems.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if competition is limited in future solicitations for these highly specialized services.
- Risk of cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price contract does not adequately account for unforeseen technical challenges or material price fluctuations.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical life support and propellant systems could pose a risk to mission continuity if performance issues arise.
Positive Signals
- The firm-fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
- Awarding to a single entity suggests a high level of specialization and capability, potentially leading to efficient service delivery.
- The contract's full and open competition basis indicates a robust procurement process.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting aerospace and defense operations. The market for specialized propellants and life support systems is niche, often dominated by a few key players with the necessary expertise and certifications. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining its launch capabilities and astronaut safety, representing a significant portion of its operational budget for spaceflight. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of these services, but overall government spending on aerospace engineering services is substantial.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, Amentum Services, Inc. Further analysis would be needed to determine if Amentum intends to utilize small businesses for any subcontracting roles, which could impact the broader small business ecosystem supporting NASA's endeavors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded within the contract's performance work statement, including delivery schedules, quality standards, and safety protocols. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, although specific performance details may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Kennedy Space Center Operations Support
- NASA Spaceflight Support Services
- Aerospace Engineering and Technical Services
- Propellant Supply and Management
- Life Support Systems Procurement
Risk Flags
- Single Award Risk
- Critical Infrastructure Dependence
- Specialized Service Market
Tags
nasa, kennedy-space-center, florida, engineering-services, propellants, life-support, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, fy24, amentum-services-inc, aerospace, defense
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $18.1 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC.. PROVIDE FISCAL YEAR (FY)24 FUNDING FOR ALL KENNEDY SPACE CENTER PROPELLANTS AND LIFE SUPPORT SERVICES II (KPLSS II) PROGRAMS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMENTUM SERVICES, 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 $18.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-10-01. End: 2024-09-30.
What is Amentum Services, Inc.'s track record with NASA for similar services?
Amentum Services, Inc. has a significant track record with NASA, often through predecessor companies or as a prime contractor on various support services. While specific details on their performance for propellants and life support under the KPLSS II contract require deeper analysis of past performance evaluations, Amentum is known for providing a wide range of technical, engineering, and operational support to government agencies, including NASA. Their experience often spans complex logistical and technical requirements critical to space exploration. Reviewing past contract awards, performance reports, and any associated award fees or penalties would provide a more granular understanding of their reliability and effectiveness in fulfilling NASA's demanding requirements.
How does the $18.1 million FY24 funding compare to historical spending on propellants and life support at KSC?
Direct historical spending comparisons for 'Kennedy Space Center Propellants and Life Support Services II' are challenging without access to detailed historical contract databases that specifically isolate these exact service categories across multiple fiscal years. However, NASA's overall budget for spaceflight operations, including ground support, propellants, and life support, typically runs into hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars annually. The $18.1 million for FY24 represents a specific allocation for these critical components. To provide a robust comparison, one would need to aggregate data from previous contracts that covered similar services, potentially under different contract names or as part of larger support packages, and adjust for inflation and mission scope changes over time.
What are the primary risks associated with a single awardee for critical life support and propellant services?
The primary risks associated with a single awardee for critical life support and propellant services include potential vendor lock-in, reduced incentive for innovation and cost reduction, and increased vulnerability to supply chain disruptions or contractor performance issues. If Amentum Services, Inc. is the sole provider, NASA has limited leverage in future negotiations and may face higher prices or less favorable terms. Furthermore, any operational issues, financial instability, or strategic shifts by Amentum could directly jeopardize NASA's mission-critical activities at Kennedy Space Center. The lack of immediate alternative providers necessitates rigorous oversight and proactive risk mitigation strategies from NASA to ensure continuity and safety.
What performance metrics are typically used to evaluate contracts like KPLSS II?
Contracts like KPLSS II, which involve critical operational support, typically employ a range of performance metrics focused on reliability, safety, timeliness, and cost control. Key metrics often include on-time delivery of propellants, adherence to strict safety protocols during handling and storage, system uptime and readiness for life support equipment, and responsiveness to emergency requirements. For propellants, metrics might also cover purity levels and inventory management. For life support, it could involve the successful functioning of environmental control systems. Performance is often evaluated through contractor performance assessment reporting (CPARs), which informs future award decisions and potential incentive fees.
What is the typical profit margin for engineering services contracts of this nature?
Determining the typical profit margin for engineering services contracts like KPLSS II is complex, as it depends heavily on the specific services, contract type, risk involved, and the competitive landscape. For firm-fixed-price contracts, profit margins are often built into the base price and can range from 5% to 15% or higher, depending on the contractor's efficiency and market position. However, government contracting often involves detailed cost breakdowns where profit is a component of the total price. Factors such as the level of technical expertise required, the criticality of the service, and the contractor's overhead structure significantly influence the achievable profit. Without specific cost-revelation data for this contract, providing an exact profit margin is speculative.
How does the PSC code '541330' (Engineering Services) inform the nature of this contract?
The Product Service Code (PSC) '541330' for Engineering Services indicates that this contract is primarily for professional engineering services and advice. This encompasses a broad range of activities, including design, analysis, feasibility studies, and consulting related to engineering projects. For the KPLSS II contract, this PSC suggests that Amentum Services, Inc. is providing not just the physical propellants and life support equipment, but also the expertise, planning, management, and technical support necessary for their safe and effective operation and integration into NASA's launch and mission infrastructure. It signifies a focus on the intellectual and technical aspects of managing these critical systems.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: PAE Government Services Inc.
Address: 20501 SENECA MEADOWS PKWY STE 300, GERMANTOWN, MD, 20876
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,212,940
Exercised Options: $18,212,940
Current Obligation: $18,092,239
Actual Outlays: $18,092,239
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80KSC020D0008
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-10-01
Current End Date: 2024-09-30
Potential End Date: 2024-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-08
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