NASA awards $8.96M for IV&V Engineering Services to 4M Research, Inc. under a BPA Call
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $8,962,279 ($9.0M)
Contractor: 4M Research, Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-05-15
End Date: 2026-11-14
Contract Duration: 1,644 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: INDEPENDENT VALIDATION AND VERIFICATION (IV&V) ENGINEERING SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35812
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $9.0 million to 4M RESEARCH, INC for work described as: INDEPENDENT VALIDATION AND VERIFICATION (IV&V) ENGINEERING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a Best Practices Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-negotiated framework. 2. The contract is for Independent Validation and Verification (IV&V) Engineering Services, a critical function for complex projects. 3. The duration of the contract is 1644 days, spanning over four years. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The award was made to a single contractor, 4M Research, Inc. 6. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 7. The contract is being performed in Alabama.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $8.96 million for over four years of IV&V engineering services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. While direct comparisons are difficult without more specific service details, IV&V services are crucial for ensuring the integrity and success of complex engineering projects, often justifying significant investment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the pricing was determined upfront, and the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The fact that it was a BPA Call implies that a broader competition may have occurred to establish the BPA itself, with this award being a call-off from that agreement. The number of bids received is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation generally promotes competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value by encouraging a wide range of potential contractors to submit proposals, driving down costs through market forces.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is NASA, which will receive critical IV&V engineering services to ensure the reliability and success of its projects. These services are essential for validating and verifying complex engineering systems, potentially including space missions or aeronautical research. The geographic impact is concentrated in Alabama, where the contractor will perform the work. The contract supports specialized engineering jobs within the aerospace and defense sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific details on the scope of IV&V services makes it difficult to fully assess value for money.
- The BPA Call mechanism, while efficient, might limit the visibility of the initial competition that established the BPA.
- Performance metrics and success criteria for the IV&V services are not detailed in the provided data.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract structure transfers cost risk to the contractor.
- Awarded under Full and Open Competition, suggesting a competitive process.
- Long-term contract duration (over 4 years) provides stability for service delivery.
- Specialized nature of IV&V services indicates a focus on critical project assurance.
Sector Analysis
The Independent Validation and Verification (IV&V) engineering services sector is a niche but vital part of the broader engineering and technical services market, particularly for government agencies with complex, high-stakes projects like NASA. This sector demands specialized expertise in testing, analysis, and quality assurance to ensure systems function as intended and meet stringent requirements. Spending in this area is often driven by the complexity and criticality of the programs being supported, with agencies like NASA investing heavily to mitigate risks associated with space exploration and aeronautics.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and the contractor, 4M Research, Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in this context. Therefore, there are no direct small business set-aside implications. However, the nature of IV&V services often requires specialized capabilities that may be more readily available from larger or more established firms. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses could exist if 4M Research, Inc. chooses to engage them for specific tasks, but this is not guaranteed.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NASA's contracting officer and program management. As a BPA Call, the underlying BPA may have its own oversight mechanisms. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by placing cost control responsibility on the contractor. Transparency is generally facilitated by the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), where contract awards are reported. Specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would depend on NASA's internal policies and the nature of any potential issues arising from the contract.
Related Government Programs
- NASA IV&V Program
- Aerospace Engineering Services
- Independent Verification and Validation
- Technical Support Services Contracts
- Government Engineering Contracts
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed scope of work
- Limited information on contractor past performance
- Absence of specified performance metrics
Tags
engineering-services, independent-validation-verification, nasa, bpa-call, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, alabama, 4m-research-inc, aerospace, technical-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $9.0 million to 4M RESEARCH, INC. INDEPENDENT VALIDATION AND VERIFICATION (IV&V) ENGINEERING SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is 4M RESEARCH, 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 $9.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-05-15. End: 2026-11-14.
What is the specific scope of the Independent Validation and Verification (IV&V) engineering services being provided under this contract?
The provided data identifies the service as 'INDEPENDENT VALIDATION AND VERIFICATION (IV&V) ENGINEERING SERVICES' but does not detail the specific tasks, systems, or projects to which these services will be applied. IV&V typically involves independent assessment of a system's or software's compliance with requirements, verification of its functionality, and validation of its fitness for purpose. For NASA, this could range from software verification for flight systems to validation of complex ground support equipment or mission control software. The exact scope is crucial for understanding the full value and risk associated with the $8.96 million award.
How does the $8.96 million contract value compare to similar IV&V engineering service contracts awarded by NASA or other federal agencies?
Benchmarking this $8.96 million contract requires comparing it to similar IV&V engineering service contracts, considering factors like duration, scope complexity, and contractor expertise. Without specific details on the services rendered, a precise comparison is challenging. However, for a contract spanning over four years (1644 days), this value suggests a moderate level of engagement. NASA, in particular, has a significant need for IV&V services due to the high-risk nature of its missions. Contracts for similar specialized engineering support can range from a few million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scale and criticality of the programs involved. The firm fixed-price nature here implies a defined scope and cost expectation.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics defined for 4M Research, Inc. under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics established for 4M Research, Inc. for this IV&V engineering services contract. In IV&V engagements, typical metrics might include the number of critical defects identified, the accuracy and timeliness of validation reports, adherence to testing protocols, and the overall contribution to risk reduction for the project being supported. The absence of this information in the award data makes it difficult to quantitatively assess the contractor's performance and the ultimate effectiveness of the services delivered. These metrics are usually detailed within the contract's statement of work.
What is the track record of 4M Research, Inc. in providing IV&V engineering services to NASA or other government agencies?
Information regarding 4M Research, Inc.'s specific track record in providing IV&V engineering services to NASA or other government agencies is not detailed in the provided award data. To assess their suitability, one would typically review past performance evaluations, contract history, and client references. Companies performing IV&V often need a demonstrated history of success in complex technical environments, particularly within the aerospace or defense sectors, to be considered for such critical roles. Further investigation into their past performance would be necessary to fully evaluate their capabilities and reliability for this contract.
What is the potential impact of this contract on NASA's overall budget for engineering support services?
The $8.96 million awarded to 4M Research, Inc. represents a specific allocation within NASA's broader budget for engineering support services. While this amount is significant for the contract itself, its impact on the overall NASA budget depends on the total funding allocated for such services across the agency. NASA's annual budget is in the tens of billions of dollars, and engineering support is a substantial component. This contract likely falls within the planned expenditures for specific programs requiring IV&V. Analyzing historical spending patterns on IV&V and similar engineering services would provide context on whether this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in this area.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 675 DISCOVERY DR BLDG 2 STE 303, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $9,870,938
Exercised Options: $9,870,938
Current Obligation: $8,962,279
Actual Outlays: $7,811,596
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80MSFC21A0006
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-05-15
Current End Date: 2026-11-14
Potential End Date: 2026-11-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-30
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