NASA awards $4.8M contract for technical standard systems to ALLIUM US HOLDING LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,818,818 ($4.8M)
Contractor: Allium US Holding LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-08-16
End Date: 2025-08-15
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: NASA TECHNICAL STANDARD SYSTEMS
Place of Performance
Location: DENVER, DENVER County, COLORADO, 80237
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $4.8 million to ALLIUM US HOLDING LLC for work described as: NASA TECHNICAL STANDARD SYSTEMS Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating clear cost expectations. 2. The contract duration is one year, suggesting a need for ongoing support. 3. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a competitive bidding process. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 518210 points to services related to computing infrastructure and data processing. 5. The contract value is within a moderate range for IT infrastructure support services. 6. The contractor, ALLIUM US HOLDING LLC, is receiving this award from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $4.8 million for a one-year period for computing infrastructure and data processing services appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT infrastructure support within federal agencies suggests this pricing is competitive. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for NASA, reducing the risk of cost overruns. Without specific details on the scope of services, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process supports a presumption of fair pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 4 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government receives offers from a range of qualified vendors, potentially driving down costs and improving service quality.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive award process as it is designed to secure the best value by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their most competitive pricing and solutions.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA's IT operations, ensuring the availability and reliability of critical computing infrastructure and data processing services. The services delivered will support NASA's mission-critical functions by maintaining essential technological systems. The geographic impact is likely concentrated around NASA facilities that rely on these computing and data processing services. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized IT personnel to manage and maintain the systems under this contract.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on contracts are not competitively procured.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
- Ensuring adequate cybersecurity measures are in place for data processing and hosting services is paramount.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for NASA.
- Contract duration of one year allows for periodic re-evaluation of needs and vendor performance.
Sector Analysis
The IT services sector, specifically focusing on computing infrastructure, data processing, and web hosting, is a significant area of federal spending. This contract falls within the broader category of IT support services, which are essential for the functioning of virtually all government agencies. The market for these services is highly competitive, with numerous providers ranging from large corporations to specialized firms. NASA's spending in this area is consistent with the agency's reliance on advanced technological systems to support its research, development, and operational activities.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor is ALLIUM US HOLDING LLC, there is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain or if there are opportunities for them to participate in future related procurements.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, allowing for scrutiny. NASA's internal procurement and program management offices, and potentially the NASA Office of Inspector General, would be responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance.
Related Government Programs
- NASA IT Infrastructure Support
- Cloud Computing Services
- Data Center Operations
- IT Managed Services
Risk Flags
- Cybersecurity Risk
- Contractor Performance Risk
- Vendor Lock-in Potential
Tags
nasa, it-services, computing-infrastructure, data-processing, web-hosting, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, definitive-contract, allium-us-holding-llc, national-aeronautics-and-space-administration, colorado, moderate-value
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $4.8 million to ALLIUM US HOLDING LLC. NASA TECHNICAL STANDARD SYSTEMS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ALLIUM US HOLDING 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 $4.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-08-16. End: 2025-08-15.
What is the track record of ALLIUM US HOLDING LLC with federal contracts, particularly with NASA?
A review of federal procurement data indicates that ALLIUM US HOLDING LLC has received multiple federal contracts. While specific details on past performance with NASA are not provided in this summary, the agency's decision to award this contract suggests that ALLIUM US HOLDING LLC met the necessary qualifications and performance standards during the bidding process. Further investigation into their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any reported issues, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and expertise in delivering similar IT services.
How does the $4.8 million contract value compare to similar IT infrastructure support contracts awarded by NASA or other agencies?
The $4.8 million contract value for a one-year term for computing infrastructure and data processing services is considered moderate within the federal IT services landscape. Comparable contracts for similar scope and duration can vary significantly based on specific service requirements, security levels, and geographic locations. However, given the firm-fixed-price nature and the competitive award process with four bidders, this value suggests a potentially efficient use of funds. Benchmarking against recent awards for NAICS code 518210 from agencies of similar size and mission complexity would provide a more precise comparison.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, cybersecurity threats to data processing and hosting, and the possibility of vendor lock-in for future needs. Mitigation strategies are likely embedded within the contract terms and NASA's oversight. The firm-fixed-price structure incentivizes performance within budget. NASA's standard procurement processes typically include requirements for robust cybersecurity measures and contingency planning. The full and open competition for this award also mitigates the risk of inadequate vendor selection. Ongoing performance monitoring by NASA will be crucial for identifying and addressing any emerging issues.
How effective is the full and open competition process in ensuring value for money for this specific contract?
The full and open competition process is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in federal contracting. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, it fosters a competitive environment that encourages vendors to offer their best pricing and technical solutions. The fact that four bids were received for this NASA contract indicates sufficient market interest. This competition helps prevent inflated pricing and ensures that NASA can select the offer that provides the optimal balance of cost, performance, and risk, thereby maximizing the value of taxpayer dollars.
What is the historical spending pattern for NASA's technical standard systems or similar IT infrastructure services?
Historical spending patterns for NASA's technical standard systems and similar IT infrastructure services would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and types of services procured over time. Analyzing past expenditures can help identify whether this $4.8 million award is consistent with previous investments, or if it represents an increase or decrease in spending for these capabilities. Understanding these patterns can inform future budget planning and procurement strategies, ensuring that NASA's IT investments align with its evolving mission requirements and technological advancements.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - DATA CENTER
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 80MSFC24R0012
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7979 E TUFTS AVE STE 300, DENVER, CO, 80237
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $7,543,022
Exercised Options: $4,818,818
Current Obligation: $4,818,818
Actual Outlays: $4,188,278
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-08-16
Current End Date: 2025-08-15
Potential End Date: 2027-08-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-06
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