NASA awards Raytheon $41.7M for computer systems and scientific analysis support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $41,715,125 ($41.7M)
Contractor: Raytheon Company
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 1999-10-15
End Date: 2001-11-30
Contract Duration: 777 days
Daily Burn Rate: $53.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: COMPUTER SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT AND SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR 600 AND 900
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20771
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $41.7 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY for work described as: COMPUTER SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT AND SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR 600 AND 900 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Raytheon Company for IT support services. 2. Significant contract value of $41.7 million over two years. 3. Full and open competition was utilized. 4. Services include computer systems management and scientific analysis. 5. Contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee) can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts is difficult without more detailed service descriptions.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee structure may incentivize higher costs if performance metrics are not strictly defined and monitored.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential IT and scientific support services for NASA. The effectiveness of competition and contract management will determine the value for money.
Public Impact
Supports critical NASA operations requiring specialized IT and scientific expertise. Potential for innovation in systems management and data analysis. Ensures continuity of essential scientific research and space exploration support.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure can lead to uncontrolled costs.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes oversight challenging.
- Contract duration is relatively long for IT services.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Awarded to a reputable contractor (Raytheon).
- Supports critical government functions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically IT services and scientific support. Spending benchmarks for similar large-scale IT support contracts can vary widely based on scope and duration, but $41.7M over two years suggests a substantial, complex engagement.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as the prime contractor is Raytheon Company. There is no information on subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is crucial for Cost Plus Award Fee contracts to ensure performance targets are met and costs are controlled. NASA's contracting officers must diligently monitor Raytheon's performance and expenditures to ensure accountability and prevent waste.
Related Government Programs
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost overrun risk due to CPAF structure.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed.
- Performance metrics ambiguity.
- Limited visibility into specific scientific tasks.
Tags
national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, md, purchase-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $41.7 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY. COMPUTER SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT AND SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR 600 AND 900
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RAYTHEON COMPANY.
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 $41.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1999-10-15. End: 2001-11-30.
What specific scientific analysis tasks are included, and how are they measured for effectiveness?
The provided data lacks specifics on the scientific analysis tasks. Effective measurement would require clearly defined deliverables, objective performance metrics, and regular progress reviews tied to NASA's scientific objectives. Without this, assessing the true value and impact of the scientific support is difficult.
How does the Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivize Raytheon to control costs while maximizing performance?
The 'Cost Plus' component allows Raytheon to recover allowable costs plus a fee. The 'Award Fee' portion provides an incentive for exceeding performance expectations. However, the effectiveness hinges on well-defined performance criteria and objective evaluations by NASA to ensure Raytheon is motivated to control costs and deliver high-quality service.
What is the potential impact of this contract on NASA's long-term IT infrastructure and scientific capabilities?
This contract supports ongoing IT operations and scientific analysis, ensuring continuity. Its long-term impact depends on whether the services provided contribute to modernization, efficiency gains, or advancements in NASA's core missions. Without insight into strategic alignment, it's primarily seen as operational support.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Contractor Details
Address: 22270 PACIFIC BLVD STE 600, DULLES, VA, 20166
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 1999-10-15
Current End Date: 2001-11-30
Potential End Date: 2001-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-04-21
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