NASA awards $16.1M contract to SMI INTERNATIONAL, LLC for services, raising questions about value and competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,092,385 ($16.1M)
Contractor: SMI International, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2000-02-15
End Date: 2002-06-30
Contract Duration: 866 days
Daily Burn Rate: $18.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Place of Performance
Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, EL PASO County, COLORADO, 80919
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $16.1 million to SMI INTERNATIONAL, LLC for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract value of $16.1M over a short period suggests a focused scope. 2. The awardee, SMI INTERNATIONAL, LLC, is a single entity, prompting scrutiny of competition. 3. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' designation is positive, but details are needed to assess its effectiveness. 4. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $16.1M over approximately 1.5 years, using a CPFF structure, warrants careful review. Without specific deliverables or benchmarks, assessing value for money against similar services is challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
While advertised as 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION', the limited duration and specific nature of the services may have naturally restricted the pool of bidders. Further analysis of the solicitation and awarded proposals is needed to confirm robust price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of taxpayer funds for this contract requires assurance that the competition process yielded the best possible price and quality for the services rendered.
Public Impact
Taxpayers fund NASA's operations, making contract efficiency crucial. The specific services procured impact NASA's mission objectives. Transparency in contracting builds public trust in government spending.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Limited contract duration may indicate a specific, potentially narrow, need.
- Lack of detailed service description hinders independent value assessment.
Positive Signals
- Contract was awarded under Full and Open Competition.
- Agency and Office are clearly identified.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broad category of professional services or support for aerospace operations. Benchmarking requires understanding the specific technical or administrative functions performed.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation is needed to assess opportunities for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which has established oversight mechanisms. However, the effectiveness of these mechanisms for this specific contract requires detailed review of performance reports and audits.
Related Government Programs
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract type (CPFF) can lead to cost overruns.
- Limited contract duration may indicate a narrow scope, potentially missing broader needs.
- Lack of detailed service description hinders value assessment.
- No indication of small business participation.
- Need to verify effectiveness of 'Full and Open Competition' in practice.
Tags
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 $16.1 million to SMI INTERNATIONAL, LLC. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SMI INTERNATIONAL, LLC.
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 $16.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2000-02-15. End: 2002-06-30.
What specific services were procured under this $16.1M contract, and how do they align with NASA's strategic goals?
The provided data lacks specifics on the services rendered. Understanding the nature of the work, whether it's research support, technical services, or administrative functions, is crucial for assessing its alignment with NASA's mission. Without this detail, it's difficult to determine if the $16.1M investment directly contributes to achieving key agency objectives or if it represents a discretionary expenditure.
How effectively did the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' process ensure competitive pricing and prevent potential cost overruns with the CPFF structure?
While 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' is a positive indicator, its effectiveness hinges on the details of the solicitation and the number/quality of bids received. The CPFF structure inherently carries risk of cost escalation. A thorough review would examine the bid evaluation process, the reasonableness of the fixed fee, and post-award cost performance data to determine if the competition truly drove value and mitigated the risks associated with this contract type.
What is the long-term impact of this contract on NASA's operational capabilities and budget, considering its relatively short duration?
The short duration (approx. 1.5 years) suggests this contract may address a specific, time-bound need rather than a long-term capability. Its impact depends on whether it fulfills a critical gap, enables a specific project, or provides essential support. Without knowing the services, assessing its contribution to sustained operational capabilities or its influence on future budget allocations is speculative. It could be a necessary, efficient expenditure or a short-term solution with limited lasting benefit.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Nana Regional Corporation Inc (UEI: 079253761)
Address: 5475 TECH CENTER DR, COLORADO SPRI
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $32,048,385
Exercised Options: $32,048,385
Current Obligation: $16,092,385
Timeline
Start Date: 2000-02-15
Current End Date: 2002-06-30
Potential End Date: 2002-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-06-28
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