NASA awards $2.55M contract to Element 84, Inc. for scalable science data exploration
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,554,333 ($2.6M)
Contractor: Element 84, Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-07-29
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,067 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IMPLEMENTATION AND ADVANCED CONCEPTS TEAM (IMPACT) FOR SCALABLE SCIENCE DATA EXPLORATION
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.6 million to ELEMENT 84, INC for work described as: IMPLEMENTATION AND ADVANCED CONCEPTS TEAM (IMPACT) FOR SCALABLE SCIENCE DATA EXPLORATION Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced concepts for scientific data exploration, indicating a need for specialized expertise. 2. The award is a definitive contract, suggesting a well-defined scope of work. 3. The fixed-price nature of the contract shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. The contract duration of approximately 3 years allows for substantial project development. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541690 points to a broad range of scientific and technical consulting services. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, implying a focus on larger, established firms.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.55 million over approximately three years for specialized scientific data exploration services appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for advanced scientific consulting is challenging due to the niche nature of 'scalable science data exploration.' However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the agency has a clear understanding of the required services and has negotiated a price that aims to provide value while managing risk for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple capable vendors were solicited. With three bidders, the competition level suggests a healthy market for these specialized services. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures that the government receives offers from a range of qualified providers, potentially leading to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition with multiple bidders typically benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through competitive bidding and ensuring that the most cost-effective solution is selected.
Public Impact
Scientists and researchers within NASA will benefit from enhanced capabilities for exploring large and complex datasets. The contract supports the advancement of NASA's scientific missions by improving data analysis tools and methodologies. The services delivered are expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of scientific discovery. The primary geographic impact is within NASA's research facilities, though the benefits of scientific advancement are global.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if 'advanced concepts' are not clearly defined.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical data exploration tools could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract aligns incentives for contractor efficiency.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust market and potential for competitive pricing.
- Contract duration allows for sustained development and integration of new capabilities.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Scientific and Technical Consulting Services sector, specifically related to data science and exploration. This sector is crucial for government agencies like NASA, which generate vast amounts of scientific data. The market for such services is growing, driven by advancements in computing power, big data analytics, and the increasing complexity of scientific research. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to pinpoint due to the specialized nature of 'scalable science data exploration,' but investments in advanced analytics and scientific software development are common across federal research agencies.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to Element 84, Inc., a known entity in the data science and geospatial analysis field, suggests the focus was on specialized capabilities likely held by larger or more established firms. This means direct opportunities for small businesses within this specific contract are unlikely, though they may compete on similar future solicitations.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers responsible for scientific data initiatives. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is facilitated through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), where contract awards are publicly reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Earth Science Data Systems
- NASA Advanced Supercomputing
- National Science Foundation Research Computing
- Department of Energy Scientific Computing
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if solutions are highly proprietary.
- Complexity of 'scalable science data exploration' may lead to unforeseen technical hurdles.
Tags
nasa, element-84-inc, scientific-consulting, data-exploration, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, definitive-contract, virginia, research-and-development, naics-541690
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.6 million to ELEMENT 84, INC. IMPLEMENTATION AND ADVANCED CONCEPTS TEAM (IMPACT) FOR SCALABLE SCIENCE DATA EXPLORATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ELEMENT 84, 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 $2.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-07-29. End: 2026-06-30.
What is Element 84, Inc.'s track record with NASA and other federal agencies for similar data exploration contracts?
Element 84, Inc. has a notable track record, particularly in geospatial data and cloud-native solutions. They have previously worked with NASA on projects related to Earth science data, including developing tools for accessing and processing large datasets. Their expertise often lies in leveraging cloud infrastructure for scalable data analysis. While specific contract values and details for past NASA engagements would require deeper data mining, their presence in this award suggests a demonstrated capability and past performance that aligns with NASA's needs for advanced data exploration and scalable science initiatives. Their work often involves making complex scientific data more accessible and usable for researchers.
How does the $2.55 million contract value compare to similar scientific data exploration contracts awarded by NASA or other agencies?
Directly comparing the $2.55 million value is challenging due to the specialized nature of 'scalable science data exploration.' However, for advanced scientific consulting and data analytics services, this value over a roughly three-year period is within a reasonable range for federal contracts. Contracts for developing sophisticated data platforms, advanced analytics tools, or specialized scientific software can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, depending on complexity, duration, and the specific scientific domain. Given NASA's focus on large-scale data generation (e.g., from Earth observation or space missions), investing in advanced exploration capabilities at this price point is consistent with the agency's mission requirements and typical R&D spending patterns.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include potential technical challenges in developing 'scalable' solutions for complex scientific data, the possibility of scope creep if requirements are not precisely defined, and contractor performance issues. Mitigation strategies are embedded in the contract structure. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) nature shifts financial risk to Element 84, Inc., incentivizing them to manage costs effectively. NASA's oversight through program managers and contracting officers will monitor progress and deliverables. The selection process under full and open competition, with three bidders, suggests NASA chose a contractor with a strong likelihood of success based on past performance and technical proposals. Clear performance metrics and regular reviews will be crucial for ongoing risk management.
How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach likely to be in ensuring value for money for this specific contract?
The 'full and open competition' approach is generally effective in ensuring value for money, especially for specialized services like this. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, NASA increases the pool of potential contractors, fostering competition that can drive down prices and encourage innovative solutions. The fact that three bids were received indicates sufficient market interest. This competitive pressure incentivizes bidders to offer their best technical solutions at the most competitive prices. NASA's evaluation process, which likely considers both technical merit and price, will be critical in selecting the offer that provides the best overall value, balancing cost with the advanced capabilities required for scalable science data exploration.
What are the historical spending patterns for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690) at NASA?
NASA's historical spending on NAICS code 541690, 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services,' typically reflects its diverse research and development needs. This category encompasses a wide array of specialized support, including areas like advanced materials, environmental consulting, and, relevantly, scientific data analysis and modeling. NASA frequently utilizes these services to augment its in-house expertise, particularly for cutting-edge research projects or when specific technical skills are required for short-to-medium term initiatives. Spending in this category can fluctuate based on the initiation of new research programs, the need for specialized analysis of large datasets (like those from space missions), or the development of new scientific instruments and methodologies. The $2.55M award represents a significant, but not unprecedented, investment within this service category for the agency.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 210 N LEE ST STE 203, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314
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: $2,705,066
Exercised Options: $2,705,066
Current Obligation: $2,554,333
Actual Outlays: $2,024,222
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-07-29
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-26
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