NASA Awards $19.5M for Airborne Remote Sensing R&D to Leidos, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,454,212 ($19.5M)
Contractor: Leidos, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 1999-10-22
End Date: 2005-05-31
Contract Duration: 2,048 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: AIRBORNE REMOTE SENSING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT P ROGRAM SERVICE
Place of Performance
Location: MOUNTAIN VIEW, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $19.5 million to LEIDOS, INC. for work described as: AIRBORNE REMOTE SENSING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT P ROGRAM SERVICE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Leidos, Inc. for specialized R&D services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is substantial, indicating a long-term project. 4. The sector involves advanced technology and research, aligning with NASA's mission.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Without specific cost breakdowns or benchmarks for similar R&D programs, assessing the value is challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. However, the CPFF structure may limit the direct price discovery benefits typically seen in fixed-price contracts.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced research and development, which has the potential for long-term technological benefits, but the CPFF structure warrants careful oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's scientific and technological advancement in remote sensing. Potential for new technologies and data applications in environmental monitoring and Earth science. Investment in R&D can foster innovation and economic growth in related industries.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- CPFF contract type can incentivize cost escalation.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports critical NASA research objectives.
- Potential for significant technological advancements.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on advanced airborne remote sensing. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific discovery and technological innovation, often characterized by complex projects and specialized expertise.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific contract award. Future opportunities may exist for small businesses as subcontractors or in subsequent phases of related research.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's CPFF structure necessitates robust oversight from NASA to monitor costs, ensure progress aligns with objectives, and prevent potential overspending. Regular reviews and performance evaluations are critical for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Long contract duration.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $19.5 million to LEIDOS, INC.. AIRBORNE REMOTE SENSING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT P ROGRAM SERVICE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LEIDOS, 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 $19.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1999-10-22. End: 2005-05-31.
How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure compare to other contract types for similar R&D projects in terms of overall cost efficiency and risk to the government?
Cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contracts are often used for R&D where the scope is not fully defined, allowing flexibility. However, they shift cost risk to the government, potentially leading to higher final costs than fixed-price contracts if not managed rigorously. Benchmarking against similar CPFF R&D contracts would reveal if this award's fee structure is competitive and reasonable given the project's complexity and duration.
What specific deliverables or milestones are expected from Leidos, Inc. under this contract, and how are they measured to ensure effective use of taxpayer funds?
The provided data does not detail specific deliverables or milestones. Effective use of funds would be measured by the successful completion of research objectives, development of new sensing technologies, and generation of valuable data sets as outlined in the contract's statement of work. NASA's oversight would involve tracking progress against these defined objectives and ensuring the quality and utility of the research outcomes.
What is the long-term strategic value of this airborne remote sensing R&D program for NASA and its broader scientific mission?
This program likely contributes to NASA's Earth science mission by advancing capabilities in monitoring climate change, natural disasters, and environmental conditions. The R&D could lead to more accurate data collection, improved predictive models, and new applications for remote sensing technology in areas like resource management and public safety, ultimately enhancing scientific understanding and informing policy decisions.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 611641312)
Address: 10260 CAMPUS POINT DRIVE, SAN DIEGO, CA, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $-7,635,725
Exercised Options: $11,710,725
Current Obligation: $19,454,212
Timeline
Start Date: 1999-10-22
Current End Date: 2005-05-31
Potential End Date: 2005-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-09-20
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