NASA Awards $3.85M Task Order to Cornell Technical Services for Science Office Mission Assessments
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,850,255 ($3.9M)
Contractor: Cornell Technical Services LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-09-14
End Date: 2027-01-31
Contract Duration: 1,600 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SCIENCE OFFICE FOR MISSION ASSESSMENTS PLANNING TASK
Place of Performance
Location: COLUMBIA, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 21046
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $3.9 million to CORNELL TECHNICAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: SCIENCE OFFICE FOR MISSION ASSESSMENTS PLANNING TASK Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Cornell Technical Services LLC for mission assessment planning. 2. The contract falls under R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is 1600 days, ending in January 2027. 5. No small business participation is indicated.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
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,' indicating a competitive process was initiated but specific sources were excluded. This method aims for price discovery but exclusion criteria warrant scrutiny.
Taxpayer Impact: The total award amount is $3.85 million. The use of full and open competition suggests efforts to secure competitive pricing, but the exclusion of sources may impact the ultimate cost-effectiveness for taxpayers.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's mission assessment capabilities, crucial for space exploration and scientific research. The duration of the contract indicates a long-term need for these specialized services. Funding allocated to scientific research and development directly benefits technological advancement.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Exclusion of sources in a full and open competition raises questions about the breadth of competition.
- Lack of small business participation.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through a competitive process, aiming for best value.
- Supports critical scientific and mission assessment functions for NASA.
- Long-term contract provides stability for service delivery.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under NAICS code 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). Spending in this sector is vital for innovation and technological advancement, with government contracts often funding cutting-edge research.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract did not involve small business participation (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the prime contractor, Cornell Technical Services LLC, is likely a larger entity, and subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by NASA, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. The 'Delivery Order' nature implies it's part of a larger contract vehicle, which may have its own oversight processes. Further review of task order management is recommended.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
- Exclusion of sources in competition may limit price discovery and innovation.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
- Task order nature requires scrutiny of underlying contract vehicle oversight.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $3.9 million to CORNELL TECHNICAL SERVICES LLC. SCIENCE OFFICE FOR MISSION ASSESSMENTS PLANNING TASK
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CORNELL TECHNICAL SERVICES 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 $3.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-14. End: 2027-01-31.
What specific criteria led to the exclusion of certain sources in this 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award?
The exclusion of sources in a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award typically stems from specific technical requirements, unique capabilities, or prior performance history that only a limited number of entities can meet. Understanding these criteria is crucial to assess if the exclusion was justified and if it potentially limited competitive pricing or innovation.
How will NASA ensure cost control and prevent overruns with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D services?
NASA will likely employ robust oversight, including regular audits, performance monitoring, and detailed review of incurred costs against the fixed fee. Establishing clear milestones and deliverables, along with strong project management, are key to controlling costs and ensuring the contractor operates efficiently within the agreed-upon fee structure.
What is the expected impact of this $3.85 million investment on NASA's mission assessment capabilities and future scientific endeavors?
This investment is expected to enhance NASA's ability to plan and assess complex missions by providing specialized technical services. It supports critical research and development, potentially leading to improved mission success rates, new scientific discoveries, and advancements in space exploration technologies, ultimately benefiting the broader scientific community and the public.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 9700 PATUXENT WOODS DR, COLUMBIA, MD, 21046
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,787,490
Exercised Options: $4,787,490
Current Obligation: $3,850,255
Actual Outlays: $3,357,064
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80LARC20D0007
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-14
Current End Date: 2027-01-31
Potential End Date: 2027-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-28
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