NASA's $149M Marshall Space Flight Center program support contract awarded to CGI Federal Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $149,235,764 ($149.2M)
Contractor: CGI Federal Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2021-09-01
End Date: 2026-08-31
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $81.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES (CPSS) PROGRAMMATIC SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME) IDIQ TASK ORDER FOR MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (MSFC).
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $149.2 million to CGI FEDERAL INC. for work described as: PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES (CPSS) PROGRAMMATIC SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME) IDIQ TASK ORDER FOR MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (MSFC). Key points: 1. Contract provides programmatic subject matter expertise for Marshall Space Flight Center. 2. The contract is structured as an IDIQ task order, allowing for multiple future task orders. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified contractors. 4. The contract duration is five years, from September 2021 to August 2026. 5. The primary North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541715 (R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). 6. This contract supports critical research and development activities at MSFC.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total contract value of $149.2 million over five years suggests a substantial investment in specialized expertise. Benchmarking against similar large-scale programmatic support contracts within NASA or other federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for R&D services, requires careful monitoring to ensure costs remain aligned with project needs and market rates. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the scale indicates a significant commitment.
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.' This indicates that while the initial solicitation may have had some exclusions, the final award was made after a broad competitive process. The specific details of 'exclusion of sources' would need further investigation to understand if it limited the pool of potential bidders. However, the 'full and open' designation generally implies a robust competition.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition aims to leverage market forces to achieve the best possible pricing and quality for taxpayers. This approach typically leads to more competitive bids and potentially lower overall costs compared to sole-source or limited competitions.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center by providing essential programmatic subject matter expertise. Supports advanced research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The contract's geographic impact is centered on Alabama, where MSFC is located. Likely involves a skilled workforce of researchers, engineers, and program managers.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials pricing if not closely managed.
- Complexity of R&D projects can lead to scope creep and budget adjustments.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical programmatic expertise could pose a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
- Long-term contract (5 years) provides stability for program support.
- Focus on R&D aligns with NASA's mission and technological advancement goals.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for R&D support services is highly specialized, often involving contractors with deep technical expertise and a proven track record with government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large IDIQ contracts for scientific and engineering support within NASA and other federal R&D agencies, such as the Department of Defense or the National Science Foundation.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, CGI Federal Inc., may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their overall business strategy or to meet broader socioeconomic goals, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), specifically the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) contracting and program management offices. The contract's IDIQ task order structure implies that each task order will have specific deliverables and oversight. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Marshall Space Flight Center Support Services
- Programmatic Subject Matter Expert Services
- Information Technology Support Services (if applicable to task orders)
- Engineering Services Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing structure.
- Complexity of R&D services may lead to scope creep.
- Need for strong government oversight to ensure performance and cost control.
Tags
nasa, marshall-space-flight-center, program-support, subject-matter-expert, research-and-development, full-and-open-competition, cgi-federal-inc, time-and-materials, alabama, large-contract, science-and-engineering
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $149.2 million to CGI FEDERAL INC.. PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES (CPSS) PROGRAMMATIC SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME) IDIQ TASK ORDER FOR MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (MSFC).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CGI FEDERAL INC..
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 $149.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.
What is the historical spending pattern for programmatic support services at Marshall Space Flight Center?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for programmatic support services at MSFC is crucial for understanding the agency's long-term investment in this area and for benchmarking current contract values. While the provided data focuses on a single $149.2 million contract awarded in 2021, a comprehensive review would involve examining spending trends over the past 5-10 years. This would include identifying previous contracts for similar services, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding fluctuations in spending can reveal shifts in program priorities, budget allocations, or the increasing reliance on external expertise. For instance, a steady increase in spending on programmatic support might indicate growing complexity in MSFC's missions or a strategic decision to outsource specialized knowledge. Conversely, a decrease could signal budget constraints or a move towards in-house capabilities. Without access to historical MSFC procurement data, a detailed analysis is not possible, but such an examination would provide vital context for the current contract's significance and value.
How does the awarded amount compare to similar R&D support contracts within NASA?
The $149.2 million awarded to CGI Federal Inc. for programmatic support at MSFC represents a significant investment. To assess its comparability within NASA, one would need to examine other large-scale Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) or task-order contracts awarded for research and development support services across various NASA centers. For example, contracts supporting JPL, Ames Research Center, or Goddard Space Flight Center for similar expertise could serve as benchmarks. Factors to consider include the contract's duration (5 years), the specific technical domains covered, and the competitive landscape. If similar 5-year R&D support contracts at other NASA centers typically range from $100 million to $200 million, then this award would be within the expected range. However, if comparable contracts are substantially smaller or larger, it might indicate unique requirements at MSFC or a different approach to procuring such services. The 'full and open competition' aspect also suggests an effort to achieve competitive pricing, which should be reflected in the value proposition compared to other NASA awards.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract?
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential for measuring the success and effectiveness of any contract, particularly one involving complex R&D support. For this $149.2 million contract with CGI Federal Inc. at MSFC, KPIs would likely focus on the quality and timeliness of the programmatic subject matter expertise provided. Examples could include metrics related to the accuracy and completeness of technical analyses, the responsiveness of SMEs to requests, adherence to project milestones, and the successful integration of their expertise into MSFC's programs. Furthermore, KPIs might track the impact of the provided expertise on project outcomes, such as cost savings achieved, schedule adherence improvements, or the successful resolution of technical challenges. The contract's Time and Materials (T&M) structure necessitates close monitoring of labor hours and rates against defined performance standards to ensure value for money. Specific KPIs are typically detailed within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and Performance Work Statement (PWS).
What is CGI Federal Inc.'s track record with NASA and similar government contracts?
CGI Federal Inc. has a substantial track record of working with government agencies, including NASA. As a large, established federal contractor, they have likely held numerous contracts across various agencies and mission areas. For NASA specifically, CGI Federal has been involved in providing a range of services, potentially including IT solutions, systems engineering, and program management support. Evaluating their track record for this specific type of contract—programmatic subject matter expertise for R&D—would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, any past performance questionnaires (PPQs) submitted during the bidding process, and any contract awards for similar services. A positive track record with NASA, characterized by successful delivery, adherence to budget and schedule, and positive client feedback, would lend confidence to their ability to execute this $149.2 million contract effectively. Conversely, any history of performance issues or disputes would be a point of concern requiring further investigation.
What are the potential risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure for this contract?
The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for R&D and services where the scope of work can be uncertain, carries inherent risks for the government. The primary risk is the potential for cost overruns, as the contractor is reimbursed for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the cost of materials. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M does not provide a ceiling on the total cost, making budget predictability challenging. This necessitates robust oversight from the government to ensure that labor hours are reasonable and allocable to the contract, that rates are fair and competitive, and that materials are necessary and priced appropriately. Without stringent monitoring and management, there is a risk that the contract could exceed its estimated value or that inefficiencies in contractor performance could lead to inflated costs. The government's ability to effectively manage and control costs under a T&M contract is paramount to realizing value for money.
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: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: THE Timken Company
Address: 12601 FAIR LAKES CIR # 100, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $188,761,640
Exercised Options: $188,761,640
Current Obligation: $149,235,764
Actual Outlays: $136,095,878
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80MSFC21DA007
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-09-01
Current End Date: 2026-08-31
Potential End Date: 2026-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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