NASA's Kepler Phase B contract awarded to Ball Aerospace for $42M, spanning 2002-2005
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $41,996,632 ($42.0M)
Contractor: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2002-11-05
End Date: 2005-05-31
Contract Duration: 938 days
Daily Burn Rate: $44.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: KEPLER PHASE B-DEFINITION AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80301
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $42.0 million to BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP. for work described as: KEPLER PHASE B-DEFINITION AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN Key points: 1. Contract value of $41.99M for a 3-year effort. 2. Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. is the sole awardee. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open', suggesting market availability. 4. The sector is primarily R&D and Engineering Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The award amount of $41.99M needs to be benchmarked against similar NASA R&D contracts for a precise value assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition', indicating multiple bidders were likely considered. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives fair value.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is positive for taxpayers, as it aims to secure the best possible price through market forces.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's scientific exploration goals, potentially leading to new astronomical discoveries. Investment in advanced aerospace engineering and technology development. Contract duration of nearly 3 years suggests a significant project scope.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize contractor to increase costs.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess efficiency.
- Limited data on the competitive landscape for this specific phase.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under Full and Open Competition.
- Contract supports a significant scientific mission.
- Experienced contractor likely involved.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330) and supports NASA's research and development initiatives. Spending in this sector is critical for technological advancement but requires careful oversight due to its complex and often uncertain outcomes.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to a large corporation, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. There is no indication of small business participation or subcontracting in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by NASA, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. However, the effectiveness of oversight for this specific contract is not detailed in the provided data.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency on performance metrics
- No indication of small business utilization
Tags
engineering-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, co, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $42.0 million to BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP.. KEPLER PHASE B-DEFINITION AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP..
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 $42.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2002-11-05. End: 2005-05-31.
What was the final cost compared to the initial estimate for this CPFF contract?
The provided data does not include final cost information, only the initial award amount. For Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts, tracking the final expenditure against the initial estimate is crucial for assessing cost control and contractor performance. Without this, it's difficult to determine if the project remained within budget or incurred significant overruns.
Were there any performance issues or contract modifications during the contract period?
The provided data does not detail any performance issues, contract modifications, or disputes. A thorough review would require access to contract performance reports, modification logs, and any associated documentation to understand the contractor's adherence to requirements and the overall health of the contract.
How did the technical proposals of competing firms compare during the 'Full and Open Competition' phase?
The data states 'Full and Open Competition' but does not provide details on the technical proposals submitted by bidders. Understanding the technical merits and innovations offered by different firms is essential to confirm that the selected contractor provided the best overall value, not just the lowest price.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Ball Corp (UEI: 006419147)
Address: P.O. BOX 70084, CHICAGO, IL, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $42,201,958
Exercised Options: $42,201,508
Current Obligation: $41,996,632
Timeline
Start Date: 2002-11-05
Current End Date: 2005-05-31
Potential End Date: 2005-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-05-30
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