NASA awards COLSA Corp $29.6M for Configuration and Data Management Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $29,643,418 ($29.6M)
Contractor: Colsa Corp
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2001-09-01
End Date: 2007-04-01
Contract Duration: 2,038 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: CONFIGURATION AND DATA MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35812
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $29.6 million to COLSA CORP for work described as: CONFIGURATION AND DATA MANAGEMENT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Cost Plus Incentive fee structure, suggesting shared risk and reward. 2. Full and open competition indicates a broad market search for qualified bidders. 3. Contract duration of 2038 days (approx. 5.6 years) suggests a long-term need for these services. 4. Services fall under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 5. Contract awarded to COLSA Corp, a company with a history of government contracts. 6. The contract's value is moderate within the context of large federal R&D procurements.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's Cost Plus Incentive fee structure is common for R&D projects where outcomes are uncertain. Benchmarking against similar configuration and data management contracts within NASA and other agencies would provide a clearer picture of value. However, the duration and the competitive nature suggest a reasonable price was likely achieved. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process is a positive indicator.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 5 bidders indicates a healthy level of interest and competition for this type of service. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures the government can select from a wide pool of qualified contractors, potentially leading to better terms and innovation.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value by driving down prices and encouraging efficiency among bidders.
Public Impact
NASA benefits from enhanced configuration and data management capabilities, crucial for complex research and engineering projects. The services support the agency's mission in physical, engineering, and life sciences research. The geographic impact is primarily at NASA facilities where these services are rendered, likely concentrated in areas with significant NASA presence. Workforce implications include employment for skilled professionals in data management, engineering, and research support roles.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Incentive fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- The long contract duration could present risks if technology or requirements change significantly over time.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical data management functions could pose a risk if performance degrades.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
- The contractor, COLSA Corp, likely has established expertise in government contracting and R&D support.
- The incentive fee structure encourages contractor performance aligned with NASA's objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on engineering and physical sciences. The market for configuration and data management services is substantial, driven by the increasing complexity of government projects and the need for robust data integrity. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large R&D support contracts awarded by agencies like NASA, DoD, and DOE, which often involve significant investments in specialized technical services.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless COLSA Corp actively engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers. The Cost Plus Incentive fee structure implies performance monitoring to ensure incentives are met. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Programs
- Aerospace Engineering Support Services
- Information Technology Support Services
- Government Data Management Solutions
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in CPIF contracts.
- Long contract duration may not adapt to rapidly changing R&D needs.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical data management functions.
Tags
research-and-development, configuration-management, data-management, national-aeronautics-and-space-administration, nasa, colsa-corp, cost-plus-incentive, full-and-open-competition, it-services, engineering-support, alabama, federal-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $29.6 million to COLSA CORP. CONFIGURATION AND DATA MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COLSA CORP.
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 $29.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2001-09-01. End: 2007-04-01.
What is COLSA Corp's track record with NASA and similar government agencies?
COLSA Corporation has a significant history of contracting with various U.S. government agencies, including NASA and the Department of Defense. Their portfolio often includes IT services, engineering support, cybersecurity, and data management solutions. For NASA specifically, COLSA has been involved in providing technical support for various missions and research initiatives. Their experience suggests a familiarity with the agency's operational requirements and procurement processes. A deeper dive into their past performance ratings and any past performance issues on similar contracts would provide more granular insight into their reliability and capability for this specific award.
How does the $29.6 million value compare to similar configuration and data management contracts?
The $29.6 million value for this 5.6-year contract (approximately $5.3 million per year) is within a moderate range for specialized R&D support services. Large federal agencies like NASA frequently award contracts in the tens or hundreds of millions for complex engineering, IT, and research support. When compared to contracts for enterprise-wide data management systems or extensive IT infrastructure overhauls, this award appears less substantial. However, for targeted configuration and data management services within specific R&D programs, it represents a significant investment. Benchmarking against contracts with similar scope, duration, and agency would be necessary for a precise comparison.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Incentive (CPIF) fee contract for R&D services?
Cost Plus Incentive fee contracts, while designed to align contractor and government interests, carry inherent risks. For R&D services, the primary risk is that the 'incentive' aspect might not perfectly capture the desired outcomes, or that the target costs become unrealistic, leading to disputes or excessive profits. There's also a risk that the contractor may focus on achieving the incentive targets at the expense of other critical, non-incentivized aspects of the work. For the government, managing the cost ceiling and ensuring that the incentives truly drive efficiency and innovation, rather than just cost escalation, requires diligent oversight and clear performance metrics. The potential for cost growth, even with incentives, remains a key concern.
How effective is full and open competition in ensuring value for taxpayer money in R&D procurements?
Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for taxpayer money in R&D procurements. By allowing all responsible sources to bid, it fosters a competitive environment that drives down prices, encourages innovation, and ensures the government has access to the widest possible range of capabilities. In R&D, where technical solutions can vary widely, this broad competition allows the government to evaluate diverse approaches and select the most promising and cost-effective ones. The process also enhances transparency and accountability. However, the effectiveness is contingent on the clarity of the solicitation requirements and the rigor of the evaluation process.
What are the historical spending patterns for configuration and data management services at NASA?
NASA's historical spending on configuration and data management services is substantial and has likely grown over time, reflecting the increasing complexity of space missions and research projects. The agency relies heavily on robust data management to handle vast amounts of scientific, engineering, and operational data. Spending in this area is often distributed across various contracts, including those for IT support, systems engineering, and specific mission support. Analyzing historical spending trends would reveal patterns in contract types (e.g., FFP, CPFF, CPIF), average contract values, and the primary contractors involved. This contract's value and duration should be viewed within this broader context of NASA's ongoing investment in managing its critical data assets.
What are the implications of the contract's duration (2038 days) for long-term program stability?
A contract duration of 2038 days (approximately 5.6 years) suggests a significant commitment by NASA to the services provided by COLSA Corp. This extended period can offer program stability, allowing for consistent application of expertise and development of deep institutional knowledge within the contractor team. It reduces the frequency of contract recompetes, which can be costly and disruptive. However, such long durations also introduce risks. Technological advancements or shifts in program priorities could render the contracted services less relevant or require significant adaptation. Effective contract management, including potential modifications or reviews, is crucial to ensure the contract remains aligned with evolving needs throughout its term.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE (V)
Contractor Details
Address: 6726 ODYSSEY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 05
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $31,835,745
Exercised Options: $31,835,745
Current Obligation: $29,643,418
Timeline
Start Date: 2001-09-01
Current End Date: 2007-04-01
Potential End Date: 2007-04-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-05-14
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