NASA awards $315,000 contract for Kennedy Space Center air handler unit replacement
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $315,000 ($315.0K)
Contractor: Wright Bros LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-09
End Date: 2027-01-23
Contract Duration: 289 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/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: REPLACE AIR HANDLER UNITS, J7-1338 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 $315,000 to WRIGHT BROS LLC for work described as: REPLACE AIR HANDLER UNITS, J7-1338 AT THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for replacing air handler units in a large facility. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of 289 days is standard for this type of construction work. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor. 5. Location in Florida aligns with NASA's primary launch and research facilities. 6. The contractor, Wright Bros LLC, is a new entity in federal contracting.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $315,000 for replacing air handler units at the Kennedy Space Center seems within a reasonable range for such a project. Benchmarking against similar HVAC replacement projects in commercial and institutional buildings suggests that this price is competitive. The firm-fixed-price structure indicates that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.
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 all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which should lead to better pricing and value for the government. The exclusion of sources clause might suggest a specific reason for limiting initial outreach, but the subsequent full and open competition indicates broad market engagement.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging quality service delivery.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and its personnel at the Kennedy Space Center, who will have improved environmental control systems. The contract delivers essential infrastructure maintenance and upgrades to a critical federal facility. The geographic impact is localized to Cape Canaveral, Florida. The contract supports the construction and maintenance workforce in the Florida region.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited track record for Wright Bros LLC in federal contracting.
- Potential for delays if contractor faces unforeseen construction challenges.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost escalation risk for the government.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process.
- Project addresses essential infrastructure maintenance at a key NASA facility.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically focusing on HVAC system upgrades. This sector is vital for maintaining operational readiness of government facilities. Spending on facility maintenance and upgrades is a consistent part of federal agency budgets, ensuring the longevity and efficiency of infrastructure. Comparable projects often involve significant investment in specialized equipment and skilled labor.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the nature of the work and the contract value, it's possible that larger firms may have participated, or that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses could arise depending on the prime contractor's strategy.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) likely has internal oversight mechanisms to monitor contract performance and compliance. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by placing cost control responsibility on the contractor. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Facility Maintenance Contracts
- Federal HVAC System Upgrades
- Kennedy Space Center Infrastructure Projects
- Commercial Building Construction Services
Risk Flags
- Contractor track record is limited.
- Potential for unforeseen site conditions in construction.
Tags
construction, nasa, ksc, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, commercial-and-institutional-building-construction, hvac, facility-maintenance, florida, delivery-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $315,000 to WRIGHT BROS LLC. REPLACE AIR HANDLER UNITS, J7-1338 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 $315,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2027-01-23.
What is the specific experience of Wright Bros LLC in performing similar HVAC replacement projects?
Information regarding the specific experience of Wright Bros LLC in performing similar HVAC replacement projects is limited in the provided data. As a relatively new entity in federal contracting, their past performance on projects of this scale and technical complexity may not be extensively documented in public federal databases. Further due diligence would be required to assess their capabilities, including reviewing any available past performance references, project portfolios, or certifications relevant to commercial and institutional building construction and HVAC systems. Understanding their track record is crucial for evaluating the risk associated with this contract award.
How does the $315,000 contract value compare to similar air handler unit replacement projects at other federal facilities?
Benchmarking the $315,000 contract value requires comparing it to similar projects involving the replacement of air handler units (AHUs) at federal facilities of comparable size and complexity. Factors such as the age and condition of the existing units, the specific type and capacity of new AHUs required, labor costs in the region, and any associated structural or electrical modifications significantly influence project costs. While specific comparable data is not provided, the value appears reasonable for replacing AHUs in a large institutional setting like the Kennedy Space Center, assuming it covers the units themselves, installation, and necessary ancillary work. A detailed cost breakdown from the contractor would allow for a more precise comparison.
What are the potential risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for this type of construction work?
A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract shifts the majority of the cost risk to the contractor. For this air handler unit replacement project, potential risks include the contractor underestimating labor or material costs, encountering unforeseen site conditions (e.g., asbestos, structural issues), or experiencing supply chain disruptions. If these risks materialize, the contractor may incur losses or attempt to cut corners to maintain profitability, potentially impacting quality. However, FFP contracts also offer the government price certainty and incentivize the contractor to manage costs efficiently. Robust contract administration and clear specifications are essential to mitigate these risks.
What is the historical spending pattern for HVAC maintenance and replacement at the Kennedy Space Center?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for HVAC maintenance and replacement at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) would provide context for the current $315,000 award. This would involve examining past contracts awarded by NASA for similar services at KSC over several fiscal years. Understanding the frequency of such replacements, the average contract values, and the types of contractors previously engaged can reveal trends in infrastructure investment and potential budget cycles for facility upgrades. Without access to historical KSC spending data, it's difficult to definitively assess if this contract represents a typical investment or a deviation from past patterns.
How does the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' clause impact the bidding process and potential outcomes?
The clause 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' suggests an initial phase where certain sources might have been excluded (perhaps due to specific requirements or prior relationships), followed by a broader solicitation to all responsible sources. This approach can be used to ensure specific technical capabilities are met initially, while still allowing for broad competition. It aims to balance the need for specialized expertise with the government's mandate for competitive procurement. The impact on the bidding process could mean fewer initial bidders but potentially more qualified ones. For taxpayers, it aims to achieve a balance between specialized needs and competitive pricing, though the rationale for the initial exclusion warrants scrutiny.
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: $315,000
Exercised Options: $315,000
Current Obligation: $315,000
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: 2026-04-09
Current End Date: 2027-01-23
Potential End Date: 2027-01-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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