NASA Awards $3.04M Task Order to Wright Bros LLC for Launch Abort System Hangar Construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,035,436 ($3.0M)

Contractor: Wright Bros LLC

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2024-04-12

End Date: 2026-04-27

Contract Duration: 745 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: AWARD OF TASK ORDER FOR THE CONSTRUCT LAUNCH ABORT SYSTEM (LAS) HANGAR M7-1459 PROJECT.

Place of Performance

Location: ORLANDO, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32899

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $3.0 million to WRIGHT BROS LLC for work described as: AWARD OF TASK ORDER FOR THE CONSTRUCT LAUNCH ABORT SYSTEM (LAS) HANGAR M7-1459 PROJECT. Key points: 1. Construction project for critical aerospace infrastructure. 2. Full and open competition indicates potential for competitive pricing. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type mitigates cost overrun risk. 4. Located in Florida, a state with significant aerospace industry presence.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $3.04M for a specialized hangar appears reasonable given the project's scope and the firm fixed price contract. Benchmarking against similar specialized construction projects would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method aims to ensure the best value is obtained through competitive bidding.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to yield a fair price, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds for this essential infrastructure.

Public Impact

Supports NASA's Artemis program by providing necessary launch infrastructure. Creates jobs in the construction sector in Florida. Enhances national capabilities in space exploration and launch operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Potential for schedule delays in complex construction projects.
  • Reliance on a single contractor for a critical component.

Positive Signals

  • Firm Fixed Price contract limits cost uncertainty.
  • Full and open competition promotes competitive pricing.
  • Strategic location in Florida's aerospace hub.

Sector Analysis

This award falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Spending in this sector is driven by infrastructure needs across government agencies, with specialized construction like this often commanding higher costs due to unique requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this was a full and open competition, but does not specify if small businesses were involved as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight procedures for construction projects, including progress monitoring and quality control, are expected to be in place.

Related Government Programs

  • Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for construction delays.
  • Dependence on contractor performance.
  • Complexity of specialized construction requirements.
  • Supply chain vulnerabilities for materials.

Tags

commercial-and-institutional-building-co, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, fl, delivery-order, 1m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $3.0 million to WRIGHT BROS LLC. AWARD OF TASK ORDER FOR THE CONSTRUCT LAUNCH ABORT SYSTEM (LAS) HANGAR M7-1459 PROJECT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WRIGHT BROS LLC.

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 $3.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-12. End: 2026-04-27.

What is the benchmark cost for similar specialized hangar construction projects?

Benchmarking specialized hangar construction is complex due to unique design, material, and regulatory requirements. However, costs can range significantly, from a few million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on size, complexity, and specific technological integrations needed for launch systems. A detailed cost breakdown and comparison with recently awarded, similar-scope projects would be necessary for a precise benchmark.

What are the primary risks associated with the construction timeline and potential cost overruns?

The primary risks include unforeseen site conditions, supply chain disruptions for specialized materials, and potential labor shortages, all of which could lead to schedule delays. While the Firm Fixed Price contract mitigates direct cost overrun risk for NASA, contractor performance issues or scope creep could still impact the overall project value and timeline.

How effectively does this construction project contribute to NASA's long-term space exploration goals?

This project is crucial for supporting NASA's launch capabilities, directly enabling future missions. The LAS Hangar ensures the safe assembly, integration, and launch readiness of critical components, thereby directly advancing the agency's strategic objectives in space exploration and human spaceflight.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ConstructionNonresidential Building ConstructionCommercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTYMAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 110 MANHATTAN DR, ANDALUSIA, AL, 36420

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,035,436

Exercised Options: $3,035,436

Current Obligation: $3,035,436

Actual Outlays: $1,674,857

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 80KSC021DA002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2024-04-12

Current End Date: 2026-04-27

Potential End Date: 2026-04-27 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-02-18

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