NASA awards $5.26M for Force Measurement Support, highlighting potential value and competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,259,413 ($5.3M)
Contractor: Modern Machine and Tool Company Incorporated
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2018-10-01
End Date: 2023-10-31
Contract Duration: 1,856 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: FORCE MEASUREMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: HAMPTON, HAMPTON CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23681
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $5.3 million to MODERN MACHINE AND TOOL COMPANY INCORPORATED for work described as: FORCE MEASUREMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $5.26M over 5 years indicates significant investment in specialized support. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Risk appears moderate given the fixed-price contract type and established vendor. 4. Sector focus on navigation and guidance systems points to critical aerospace applications.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $5.26M over 1856 days (approx. 5 years) for force measurement support services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar contracts in aerospace instrumentation manufacturing is difficult without more specific data, but the duration and scope suggest a fair price.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely considered. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value by allowing a wide range of qualified sources to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is expected to yield a fair price, maximizing taxpayer value by leveraging market forces.
Public Impact
Supports critical aerospace functions like navigation and guidance systems. Ensures accuracy and reliability in measurement instruments vital for flight safety. Invests in specialized manufacturing capabilities within the aerospace sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is not transferable.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical support services.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Long-term contract supports stable operations.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT and Defense sectors, specifically related to system and instrument manufacturing for navigation and guidance. Spending benchmarks in this niche area are highly specialized, but the value suggests a significant need for reliable force measurement capabilities in aerospace.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were adequately provided for small business participation in the subcontracting process.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by NASA, a civilian agency with established oversight mechanisms. The firm fixed-price structure and full and open competition suggest a degree of accountability in pricing and vendor selection.
Related Government Programs
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Potential for sole-source reliance in future if competition is limited.
- Dependence on specific vendor expertise.
- Limited small business participation.
Tags
search-detection-navigation-guidance-aer, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, va, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $5.3 million to MODERN MACHINE AND TOOL COMPANY INCORPORATED. FORCE MEASUREMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MODERN MACHINE AND TOOL COMPANY INCORPORATED.
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 $5.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-10-01. End: 2023-10-31.
What specific force measurement capabilities are being supported, and how do they directly contribute to NASA's mission objectives?
The contract supports force measurement for navigation, guidance, and control systems. These capabilities are crucial for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of spacecraft and aircraft, directly impacting mission success, flight safety, and data integrity. Without precise force measurements, critical maneuvers and operational parameters could be compromised.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is Modern Machine and Tool Company Inc. being evaluated against them?
Specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data. However, typical indicators for such contracts would include accuracy of measurements, timeliness of support, equipment calibration standards, and adherence to technical specifications. NASA's contract management likely involves regular performance reviews and quality assurance checks to ensure Modern Machine and Tool Company Inc. meets all requirements.
Given the $5.26M value, what is the estimated cost per unit or per service provided, and how does it compare to industry standards?
A precise per-unit cost cannot be determined without knowing the specific services or units of measurement. The total contract value of $5.26M over approximately 5 years averages to roughly $1.05M annually. Benchmarking this against industry standards for specialized force measurement support is challenging without more granular data on the scope and nature of the services.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 80LARC18R0002
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 11844 JEFFERSON AVE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA, 23606
Business Categories: Category Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $8,975,000
Exercised Options: $8,975,000
Current Obligation: $5,259,413
Actual Outlays: $4,686,550
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-10-01
Current End Date: 2023-10-31
Potential End Date: 2023-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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