NASA's $503K Kennedy Space Center thermal chamber utility reconfiguration awarded to Wright Bros. LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $503,000 ($503.0K)
Contractor: Wright Bros LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-08
End Date: 2026-05-29
Contract Duration: 51 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.9K/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: THERMAL CHAMBER UTILITIES RECONFIGURATION AT THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER.
Place of Performance
Location: ORLANDO, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32899
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $503,000 to WRIGHT BROS LLC for work described as: THERMAL CHAMBER UTILITIES RECONFIGURATION AT THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER. Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting fair market pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract and short duration. 4. Performance context is a critical infrastructure upgrade at a major spaceflight facility. 5. Sector positioning is within the commercial and institutional building construction domain.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $503,000 for a thermal chamber utilities reconfiguration is within a reasonable range for specialized facility upgrades. Benchmarking against similar projects is challenging due to the unique nature of space center infrastructure. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests the contractor assumed the primary cost risk, which is generally favorable for the government. The contract's duration of approximately 51 days also points to a focused scope, potentially limiting cost overruns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' indicating that while the initial solicitation may have had some exclusions, the final award was made through a broad competitive process. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, two bidders are sufficient to provide a basis for price discovery and ensure the government receives a competitive offer.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by preventing inflated pricing that might occur with less competition.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and its contractors operating at the Kennedy Space Center, who will have access to a reconfigured and potentially more reliable thermal chamber. The services delivered involve the essential reconfiguration of utilities for a thermal chamber, crucial for testing spacecraft and components under various environmental conditions. The geographic impact is localized to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a key hub for U.S. space exploration. Workforce implications include employment for skilled construction trades involved in the utility reconfiguration, likely sourced from the local Florida labor market.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting schedule or cost, though mitigated by fixed-price contract.
- Dependence on specialized equipment and materials that could face supply chain disruptions.
- Coordination challenges with ongoing operations at the Kennedy Space Center.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract limits cost uncertainty for the government.
- Short contract duration minimizes prolonged disruption and exposure to market fluctuations.
- Award to Wright Bros. LLC, a company with experience in construction, suggests capability.
- Full and open competition process generally leads to better value.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically focusing on specialized facility upgrades. The market for such services at government installations like NASA's Kennedy Space Center is often characterized by a smaller pool of highly qualified contractors capable of meeting stringent requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the unique nature of space agency infrastructure, but general construction costs for institutional buildings provide a broad context.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications mandated by small business set-aside goals. The impact on the small business ecosystem would be indirect, potentially through opportunities for smaller firms to subcontract to the prime contractor, Wright Bros. LLC, if they choose to do so.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified utility reconfiguration within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. NASA's internal procurement and project management offices will monitor progress and ensure compliance with contract terms. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Kennedy Space Center Infrastructure Upgrades
- NASA Facilities Maintenance and Repair
- Specialized Construction Services
- Aerospace Testing Facility Support
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep if unforeseen issues require additional work beyond initial definition.
- Contractor performance risk, though mitigated by fixed-price contract and competition.
- Dependency on specialized technical expertise for successful execution.
Tags
construction, nasa, kennedy-space-center, florida, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, full-and-open-competition, institutional-building-construction, utilities-reconfiguration, aerospace, facility-upgrade
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $503,000 to WRIGHT BROS LLC. THERMAL CHAMBER UTILITIES RECONFIGURATION AT THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER.
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 $503,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-05-29.
What is the track record of Wright Bros. LLC in performing similar utility reconfiguration projects for federal agencies?
Information regarding Wright Bros. LLC's specific track record with utility reconfiguration projects for federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. However, their award by NASA for this project suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience to undertake such work. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any reported issues on previous federal contracts would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. Without this granular data, it's assumed NASA conducted due diligence during the procurement process to ensure the contractor's capability.
How does the $503,000 contract value compare to similar thermal chamber utility reconfiguration projects?
Direct comparison of the $503,000 contract value to similar thermal chamber utility reconfiguration projects is challenging due to the specialized nature of space agency infrastructure and the limited public data on such niche projects. Thermal chambers are critical for testing under extreme conditions, and their utility systems are complex. The value appears reasonable for a project involving specialized construction and utility work within a high-security, high-demand environment like the Kennedy Space Center. Factors such as the scope of reconfiguration, specific utility systems involved (e.g., power, cooling, gas lines), and the age of the existing infrastructure would significantly influence project costs.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential unforeseen site conditions during the reconfiguration, which could lead to schedule delays or cost increases. Another risk could be the availability of specialized materials or equipment required for the utility systems. These risks are mitigated by the firm fixed-price contract type, which places the financial burden of cost overruns primarily on the contractor, Wright Bros. LLC. The short duration (51 days) also limits the window for significant delays. NASA's oversight and the contractor's presumed experience in similar environments further help manage these risks.
How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method in ensuring value for money for this type of specialized construction?
The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method aims to balance broad market access with specific requirements. While 'full and open' competition is generally preferred for maximizing value, the 'exclusion of sources' aspect suggests that certain pre-qualified vendors or specific technologies might have been initially considered or excluded. For specialized construction like utility reconfiguration at a space center, this approach can be effective if it ensures that only capable and relevant bidders participate, thereby streamlining the process while still fostering competition among qualified entities. The presence of two bidders indicates some level of competition was achieved.
What is the historical spending pattern for thermal chamber maintenance and upgrades at NASA's Kennedy Space Center?
Historical spending patterns for thermal chamber maintenance and upgrades at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are not detailed in the provided data. To assess this, one would need to analyze past contracts awarded by NASA for similar services at KSC over several fiscal years. This would involve searching contract databases for keywords related to 'thermal chamber,' 'utilities,' 'reconfiguration,' 'maintenance,' and 'upgrades' specifically associated with the Kennedy Space Center. Understanding historical spending can reveal trends in contract values, frequency of awards, and the types of contractors typically engaged.
What are the potential long-term benefits of this utility reconfiguration for NASA's operations?
The long-term benefits of this utility reconfiguration are expected to enhance the reliability and efficiency of the thermal chamber at the Kennedy Space Center. A modernized utility system can ensure more stable and precise environmental control during testing, which is critical for the success of space missions and component validation. Improved reliability reduces the risk of testing failures due to equipment malfunction, potentially saving significant costs and time associated with re-testing. Furthermore, updated utilities might offer energy efficiency improvements or comply with newer environmental and safety standards, contributing to sustainable operations.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, 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: $503,000
Exercised Options: $503,000
Current Obligation: $503,000
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: 2026-04-08
Current End Date: 2026-05-29
Potential End Date: 2026-05-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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