NASA's $438.5M Life Sciences Contract with AS AND D, LLC: A Decade of R&D Spending
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $438,507,908 ($438.5M)
Contractor: AS and D, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-03-01
End Date: 2011-05-31
Contract Duration: 3,013 days
Daily Burn Rate: $145.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: LIFE SCIENCES - USTDC
Place of Performance
Location: ORLANDO, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32899
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $438.5 million to AS AND D, LLC for work described as: LIFE SCIENCES - USTDC Key points: 1. Significant investment in life sciences R&D over a 9-year period. 2. Sole-source award suggests limited competition, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. High contract value indicates substantial resource allocation to this specific vendor. 4. Focus on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Without available pricing data, it's difficult to benchmark against similar contracts, raising questions about overall value for money.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source award. This lack of competition limits the government's ability to secure the best possible price through market forces.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were allocated without competitive bidding, potentially leading to a higher cost than if multiple vendors had competed.
Public Impact
Long-term commitment to a single research provider. Potential for specialized knowledge development within AS AND D, LLC. Impact on broader scientific community due to focused funding. Government reliance on one entity for critical life sciences research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Long contract duration
- No small business participation
Positive Signals
- Long-term R&D investment
- Potential for specialized expertise development
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Life Sciences sector, specifically R&D. Benchmarking is challenging without specific contract details, but significant government investment in specialized R&D is common.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no small business participation in this contract, which is a missed opportunity for fostering small business growth in the R&D sector.
Oversight & Accountability
The long duration and sole-source nature of this contract warrant close oversight to ensure continued alignment with NASA's research objectives and responsible use of funds.
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
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type can inflate costs.
- Lack of transparency on specific research outcomes.
- No small business participation.
- Long contract duration (9 years).
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, fl, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $438.5 million to AS AND D, LLC. LIFE SCIENCES - USTDC
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AS AND D, 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 $438.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-03-01. End: 2011-05-31.
What specific life sciences research was conducted under this contract, and what were the key scientific outcomes or breakthroughs achieved?
The contract focused on Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Specific outcomes are not detailed in the provided data. Further investigation into NASA's research reports and publications from 2003-2011 would be necessary to identify key scientific achievements and assess the value derived from the $438.5 million investment.
Given the sole-source nature, were there any documented justifications or market research efforts that supported awarding the contract to AS AND D, LLC without competition?
The data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' indicating a sole-source award. While justifications for sole-source awards typically exist (e.g., unique capabilities, national security), they are not provided here. A review of NASA's contract files would be required to understand the specific rationale and any preceding market research.
How effectively did the Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivize AS AND D, LLC to achieve NASA's research objectives within budget constraints?
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for reimbursement of costs plus a fee that can be adjusted based on performance. Without performance metrics, award fee details, or final cost data, it's impossible to assess effectiveness. The long duration and significant cost suggest a need for robust performance monitoring to ensure taxpayer value.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (UEI: 076637073)
Address: 7000 MUIRKIRK MEADOWS DR STE 100, BELTSVILLE, MD, 20705
Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $600,093,747
Exercised Options: $441,540,813
Current Obligation: $438,507,908
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-03-01
Current End Date: 2011-05-31
Potential End Date: 2011-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-10-10
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