NASA's IMPASS Contract Awarded to INDYNE, INC. for Over $113 Million
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $113,548,009 ($113.5M)
Contractor: Indyne, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2000-09-27
End Date: 2004-07-31
Contract Duration: 1,403 days
Daily Burn Rate: $80.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE
Sector: IT
Official Description: INFORMATION IMAGERY MEDIA AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS SUPPORT SERVICES (IMPASS)
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77058
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $113.5 million to INDYNE, INC. for work described as: INFORMATION IMAGERY MEDIA AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS SUPPORT SERVICES (IMPASS) Key points: 1. Contract Value: $113.5 million for information, imagery, media, and public affairs support. 2. Competition: Awarded under full and open competition. 3. Risk: Cost-plus incentive fee contract type introduces potential for cost overruns. 4. Sector: Information Technology and Professional Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's cost-plus incentive fee structure suggests a focus on performance incentives rather than strict cost control. Benchmarking against similar support services contracts would be necessary to fully assess pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified contractors. The incentive fee structure may influence price discovery by aligning contractor and agency goals.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for essential public affairs and media support services, with the incentive fee structure aiming for efficient service delivery.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's communication and public outreach efforts. Provides critical imagery and media services for agency initiatives. Contract duration spans over four years, indicating long-term support needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus incentive fee contract type.
- Contract awarded in 2000, ending in 2004, may not reflect current market rates.
- Small business participation not indicated.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical agency functions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically supporting information, imagery, and public affairs. Spending in this area is crucial for government agencies to communicate effectively with the public and stakeholders.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting opportunities were pursued or met.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Oversight would involve monitoring performance against contract requirements and managing the incentive fee structure effectively.
Related Government Programs
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost-plus incentive fee contract type.
- Contract awarded over 20 years ago.
- No indication of small business participation.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics in provided data.
Tags
national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, tx, dca, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $113.5 million to INDYNE, INC.. INFORMATION IMAGERY MEDIA AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS SUPPORT SERVICES (IMPASS)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INDYNE, 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 $113.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2000-09-27. End: 2004-07-31.
What was the primary objective of the IMPASS contract and how was its success measured?
The primary objective of the IMPASS contract was to provide comprehensive information, imagery, media, and public affairs support services to NASA. Success was likely measured through performance metrics related to the quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of the delivered services, as well as the achievement of specific communication goals outlined in the contract. The incentive fee structure suggests that performance against these metrics directly impacted the contractor's final payment.
Given the contract's age, how might current market conditions and technological advancements affect the value proposition of this type of service today?
The contract, awarded in 2000 and ending in 2004, predates significant advancements in digital media, social networking, and data analytics. Current market conditions likely offer more specialized and cost-effective solutions, particularly in areas like digital content creation, targeted online outreach, and advanced data visualization. The value proposition today would be heavily influenced by the integration of new technologies and potentially more agile service delivery models compared to those available during the contract's term.
What are the potential risks associated with a cost-plus incentive fee contract for public affairs support?
A cost-plus incentive fee (CPIF) contract for public affairs support carries risks such as potential for scope creep if not tightly managed, and the contractor may focus on maximizing profit through higher costs rather than efficiency if the incentive targets are not well-defined or achievable. There's also a risk that the 'incentive' aspect might not fully align with the public interest or the most cost-effective communication strategies, especially if the metrics are not carefully chosen. Ensuring clear deliverables and performance standards is crucial to mitigate these risks.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE (V)
Evaluated Preference: SPS
Contractor Details
Address: 400 VIRGINIA AVE SW, WASHINGTON
Business Categories: Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Timeline
Start Date: 2000-09-27
Current End Date: 2004-07-31
Potential End Date: 2004-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-06-28
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