NASA's $73.9M Spacecraft Contract with BAE Systems: R&D Focus
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $73,939,753 ($73.9M)
Contractor: BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 1999-10-15
End Date: 2015-12-31
Contract Duration: 5,921 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: RAPID SPACECRAFT ACQUISITION MASTER CONTRACT (EXTEND POP PER DO #1003)
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80301, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $73.9 million to BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC. for work described as: RAPID SPACECRAFT ACQUISITION MASTER CONTRACT (EXTEND POP PER DO #1003) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. BAE Systems is a significant player in the aerospace and defense sector. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The firm fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $73.9M over its period of performance appears reasonable for a spacecraft acquisition, especially considering the R&D focus. Benchmarking against similar NASA R&D contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government. This method allows all eligible contractors to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is a positive for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more favorable price than a sole-source or limited competition contract.
Public Impact
Supports advanced space exploration and research capabilities. Enhances national security through technological advancements in space. Drives innovation in the aerospace sector, potentially leading to commercial spin-offs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration is extensive (over 16 years).
- No specific small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded via full and open competition.
- Firm fixed-price contract type.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically for physical, engineering, and life sciences. NASA's R&D spending is crucial for technological advancement in space exploration and related fields.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific set-asides or participation goals for small businesses in this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by NASA, an agency with established oversight mechanisms. The firm fixed-price nature provides some cost control, but the long duration may require ongoing monitoring for performance and scope creep.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration.
- Lack of explicit small business participation.
- Potential for evolving R&D requirements over time.
- Complexity of R&D projects can lead to unforeseen challenges.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, 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 $73.9 million to BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC.. RAPID SPACECRAFT ACQUISITION MASTER CONTRACT (EXTEND POP PER DO #1003)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS 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 $73.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1999-10-15. End: 2015-12-31.
What was the specific technological advancement or research outcome expected from this $73.9M contract?
The contract's objective was likely to fund the research, design, development, and potentially early testing of advanced spacecraft systems. This could encompass areas like propulsion, life support, communication, or scientific instrumentation, aimed at enabling new space missions or enhancing existing capabilities for NASA's scientific and exploration goals.
Given the long contract duration, what mechanisms were in place to mitigate cost overruns or scope creep?
The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type inherently shifts cost risk to the contractor, BAE Systems. However, for such a long-duration R&D effort, NASA likely employed phased funding, rigorous milestone reviews, and change control processes to manage scope and ensure alignment with evolving research objectives and technological feasibility.
How did the full and open competition process ensure the best value was achieved for this specialized R&D requirement?
Full and open competition allowed multiple qualified contractors to submit proposals, fostering a competitive environment. NASA likely evaluated proposals based on a combination of technical merit, past performance, and price. This process aimed to identify the contractor offering the most advantageous solution for the complex R&D requirements, balancing innovation with cost-effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: SPACE VEHICLES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Ball Corp (UEI: 006419147)
Address: 1600 COMMERCE ST, BOULDER, CO, 80301
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Timeline
Start Date: 1999-10-15
Current End Date: 2015-12-31
Potential End Date: 2015-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-08-20
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