NASA awards $4.8M contract for human capital strategy consulting, with a focus on HR analysis and project support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,804,745 ($4.8M)
Contractor: Strategy Consulting Team, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-08-01
End Date: 2026-02-28
Contract Duration: 942 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: NASA ENTERPRISE-WIDE HUMAN CAPITAL SUPPORT SERVICES (NEHCSS) - STRATEGY CONSULTING TEAM (SCT) CONTRACT # 80NSSC23DA003 HQ HC ANALYSIS AND PROJECT SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20546
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $4.8 million to STRATEGY CONSULTING TEAM, LLC for work described as: NASA ENTERPRISE-WIDE HUMAN CAPITAL SUPPORT SERVICES (NEHCSS) - STRATEGY CONSULTING TEAM (SCT) CONTRACT # 80NSSC23DA003 HQ HC ANALYSIS AND PROJECT SUPPORT Key points: 1. The contract aims to enhance NASA's human capital management through strategic consulting and project support. 2. The chosen contractor, Strategy Consulting Team, LLC, will provide specialized HR analysis and strategic guidance. 3. The contract duration of 942 days suggests a significant, ongoing need for these services. 4. The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the agency. 5. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified bidders. 6. The total award value of $4.8M is spread over approximately 2.5 years.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $4.8M for human capital strategy consulting over 942 days appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar HR consulting contracts for large federal agencies suggests this is within a typical range. The firm fixed-price structure helps manage costs, but detailed performance metrics would be needed for a full value assessment. Without specific deliverables, it's difficult to definitively assess value-for-money, but the competitive award process is a positive indicator.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' which implies that proposals were solicited from all responsible prospective contractors. The presence of 3 bidders indicates a moderate level of competition for this specialized service. While not a large number, it suggests that the market for these specific human capital strategy services is not overly saturated, and NASA was able to identify multiple capable firms.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even with a few bidders, generally leads to better pricing and service quality for taxpayers compared to sole-source awards. It ensures that the selected contractor is offering a competitive rate and a strong value proposition.
Public Impact
NASA employees and leadership will benefit from improved human capital strategies and HR support. Services delivered include strategic consulting, HR analysis, and project support to enhance workforce management. The primary geographic impact is at NASA headquarters in Washington D.C. The contract supports the agency's ability to attract, retain, and develop its scientific and technical workforce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if project requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical human capital strategy could pose a risk if performance falters.
- Ensuring the consulting team's recommendations are actionable and align with NASA's unique operational needs.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for NASA.
- The contractor, Strategy Consulting Team, LLC, is specialized in HR consulting services.
- The contract duration indicates a sustained commitment to improving human capital management.
Sector Analysis
The human capital consulting sector within the federal government is a significant market, driven by agencies' needs to manage complex workforces, adapt to changing regulations, and improve employee engagement and retention. This contract fits within the broader professional services category, specifically HR consulting. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar strategic HR support services across large federal agencies can range from several hundred thousand to millions of dollars annually, depending on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, Strategy Consulting Team, LLC, is not listed as a small business. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. Therefore, this contract is unlikely to have a direct positive impact on the small business ecosystem through set-asides or mandated subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers responsible for human capital initiatives. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance standards outlined in the contract's statement of work and the firm fixed-price terms. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS, where contract awards are reported. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on NASA's internal policies and any potential investigations into contract performance or misuse of funds.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Human Capital Management
- Federal HR Consulting Services
- Strategic Planning Contracts
- Professional Services Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for performance issues if contractor capabilities are overestimated.
- Risk of recommendations not being fully adopted or implemented by NASA.
- Dependency on contractor expertise for critical HR functions.
Tags
nasa, human-capital, hr-consulting, strategy-consulting, professional-services, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, district-of-columbia, it-services-and-support, management-and-consulting-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $4.8 million to STRATEGY CONSULTING TEAM, LLC. NASA ENTERPRISE-WIDE HUMAN CAPITAL SUPPORT SERVICES (NEHCSS) - STRATEGY CONSULTING TEAM (SCT) CONTRACT # 80NSSC23DA003 HQ HC ANALYSIS AND PROJECT SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is STRATEGY CONSULTING TEAM, 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: 2023-08-01. End: 2026-02-28.
What is the track record of Strategy Consulting Team, LLC in performing similar human capital support services for federal agencies?
A thorough review of Strategy Consulting Team, LLC's past performance is crucial for assessing their capability to deliver on this NASA contract. While the provided data confirms their selection, it does not detail their history. Federal procurement databases and past performance evaluations (if publicly available) would reveal their experience with similar HR analysis, strategy development, and project support. Key indicators to examine include the size and complexity of previous contracts, client satisfaction ratings, and any instances of performance issues or disputes. A strong track record with comparable agencies, particularly those with complex scientific or technical workforces like NASA, would increase confidence in their ability to meet NASA's needs effectively and efficiently.
How does the awarded amount of $4.8M compare to the typical cost of similar human capital strategy consulting services for federal agencies of NASA's size?
The $4.8M award for approximately 32 months (942 days) of human capital strategy consulting services for NASA appears to be within a reasonable range for a federal agency of its scale and complexity. Benchmarking against similar contracts awarded to large federal agencies for comprehensive HR strategy, analysis, and project support reveals that costs can vary significantly based on scope, duration, and the specific expertise required. Contracts for high-level strategic advice, workforce planning, and organizational development can easily reach millions of dollars over multi-year periods. Given that this contract covers enterprise-wide human capital support, the value seems commensurate with the potential impact and the specialized nature of the services provided. However, a more precise comparison would require detailed analysis of the specific tasks and deliverables outlined in the contract's statement of work.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
Primary risks for this contract include potential misalignment between the consultant's recommendations and NASA's unique operational environment, challenges in integrating proposed strategies into existing HR systems, and the possibility of the contractor's performance not meeting expectations. Another risk is the potential for scope creep, where the project's objectives expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns or delays, although the firm fixed-price structure aims to mitigate this. Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous oversight by NASA program managers, clearly defined performance metrics and deliverables in the contract, regular progress reviews, and potentially phased implementation of recommendations. The competitive award process itself serves as a risk mitigation tool by selecting a contractor believed to be capable and offering fair pricing.
How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this human capital support service?
The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective in ensuring value for money when the scope of work is well-defined and unlikely to change significantly. For this human capital strategy consulting contract, FFP provides NASA with cost certainty, as the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. This encourages the contractor to manage resources efficiently and deliver services within the agreed-upon budget. Value for money is further supported by the competitive award process, which should have driven down the price. However, the effectiveness hinges on the clarity and completeness of the contract's statement of work; if requirements are ambiguous, it could lead to disputes or suboptimal outcomes despite the fixed price.
What are the historical spending patterns for human capital support services at NASA, and how does this award fit within them?
Historical spending data for human capital support services at NASA would provide context for this $4.8M award. Analyzing past contracts for similar HR consulting, strategic planning, and workforce analysis would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and types of services procured. If NASA has consistently invested in external expertise for human capital management, this award may represent a continuation or expansion of those efforts. Conversely, if this represents a significant increase in spending for such services, it might indicate a new strategic focus or a response to identified workforce challenges. Understanding these patterns helps assess whether this contract aligns with NASA's long-term human capital strategy and budget priorities.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Human Resources Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 80NSSC23Q0076
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4000 LEGATO RD, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $8,033,934
Exercised Options: $6,148,898
Current Obligation: $4,804,745
Actual Outlays: $3,559,209
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80NSSC23DA003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-08-01
Current End Date: 2026-02-28
Potential End Date: 2028-02-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-06
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