NASA's $13.5M contract for closeout services awarded to Brace Management Group, Inc. shows long duration
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,563,042 ($13.6M)
Contractor: Brace Management Group, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2000-09-01
End Date: 2007-01-15
Contract Duration: 2,327 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: CONTRACT, GRANT, PURCHASE ORDER, COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENT CLOSEOUT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: MOFFETT FIELD, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $13.6 million to BRACE MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC. for work described as: CONTRACT, GRANT, PURCHASE ORDER, COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENT CLOSEOUT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract duration of 2327 days (over 6 years) suggests a sustained need for these services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad market search. 3. The contract type, Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), can incentivize cost control by the contractor. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561410 points to document preparation services. 5. The contract was awarded by NASA, a key agency with significant procurement needs. 6. The small business flags are false, meaning this was not specifically set aside for small businesses.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data. However, the duration and the CPFF structure suggest a need for careful oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness. The total award amount of $13.5 million over more than six years averages to approximately $2.2 million annually, which may be reasonable for specialized document preparation and administrative services for a large agency like NASA. Further analysis would require understanding the scope and complexity of the 'closeout services' provided.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' which implies that while the competition was open, there might have been specific reasons for excluding certain sources, or it could be a standard phrasing for open competition. The presence of 6 bids suggests a reasonably competitive process, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and encouraging efficiency from the winning contractor.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA's administrative and financial departments, which require efficient contract closeout processes. The services delivered include document preparation and other administrative support crucial for closing out contracts. The geographic impact is primarily associated with NASA's operations, likely supporting its headquarters or major field centers. Workforce implications may include support for government personnel managing contract closeouts and potentially the contractor's own staff.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The extended duration of the contract (over 6 years) could lead to potential cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- The CPFF contract type, while allowing for flexibility, requires robust government oversight to prevent contractor inefficiencies.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value for money delivered.
- The 'exclusion of sources' phrasing in the competition type warrants further clarification to ensure maximum competition was achieved.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified contractors.
- The contract secured multiple bids (6), suggesting market interest and a competitive environment.
- The CPFF structure can provide incentives for the contractor to manage costs effectively when paired with strong oversight.
- The long duration indicates a consistent and reliable service provider was selected for a critical function.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on administrative and support services. The market for contract closeout and document preparation services is diverse, serving government agencies and large corporations. NASA, as a major federal agency, frequently procures such services to manage its complex procurement lifecycle. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other agencies' expenditures on similar administrative support contracts.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). This means that large businesses were eligible and likely participated in the competition. The implications for the small business ecosystem are minimal in terms of direct set-aside opportunities, but large prime contractors may engage small businesses for subcontracting, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, NASA would be responsible for monitoring costs, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and verifying the quality of services rendered. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but specific performance reporting and Inspector General oversight details would depend on NASA's internal policies and the contract's specific clauses.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Contract Closeout Services
- Administrative Support Services
- Document Management Services
- NASA Procurement Support
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contracts
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may increase risk of cost escalation.
- CPFF contract type requires robust government oversight to ensure cost control.
- Ambiguity in 'exclusion of sources' phrasing could warrant further investigation into competition levels.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Tags
nasa, document-preparation-services, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, administrative-support, federal-contract-closeout, brace-management-group-inc, california, professional-scientific-and-technical-services, long-term-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $13.6 million to BRACE MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC.. CONTRACT, GRANT, PURCHASE ORDER, COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENT CLOSEOUT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BRACE MANAGEMENT GROUP, 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 $13.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2000-09-01. End: 2007-01-15.
What specific types of 'closeout services' were provided under this contract?
The provided data indicates the NAICS code is 561410, which covers 'Document Preparation Services.' This suggests that the 'closeout services' likely involved extensive documentation, record-keeping, and administrative tasks associated with formally closing out contracts. This could include compiling final reports, verifying deliverables, processing final payments, archiving records, and ensuring all contractual obligations were met by both NASA and the contractor. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's statement of work, which is not provided here but would specify the precise administrative and documentation requirements for contract closure.
How does the $13.5 million award amount compare to similar contract vehicles for document preparation services at NASA or other agencies?
Direct comparison of the $13.5 million award for document preparation services is difficult without knowing the exact scope, duration, and specific deliverables. However, considering this contract spanned over 2327 days (more than 6 years), the average annual spend was approximately $2.2 million. This figure needs to be contextualized against the complexity and volume of contracts NASA manages. For large agencies with extensive procurement portfolios, such annual expenditures for specialized administrative support functions like contract closeout are not uncommon. Benchmarking would require analyzing contracts with similar NAICS codes and durations across different federal agencies, factoring in inflation and the specific agency's operational scale.
What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Brace Management Group, Inc.'s performance under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Brace Management Group, Inc.'s performance. For a contract focused on document preparation and closeout services, typical KPIs might include timeliness of closeout processing, accuracy of documentation, compliance with archival standards, and adherence to budget. Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, NASA would likely have had mechanisms to monitor efficiency and effectiveness. Without access to the contract's statement of work or performance reports, these specific metrics remain unknown.
What is the significance of the contract type being 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' (CPFF) in terms of risk and incentive for the contractor?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type means the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. This structure shifts some cost risk to the government, as the government pays the actual costs incurred. However, the fixed fee provides a clear profit target, incentivizing the contractor to manage costs efficiently to maximize their return within that fixed fee. For NASA, this requires diligent oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable, while the fixed fee provides a predictable profit margin for Brace Management Group, Inc.
Were there any specific challenges or risks identified during the performance of this contract, and how were they addressed?
The provided summary data does not detail specific challenges or risks encountered during the performance of this contract. However, common risks in long-term service contracts include scope creep, cost overruns, contractor performance issues, and changes in government requirements. For a CPFF contract, managing cost escalation and ensuring the contractor maintains efficiency are primary concerns. Addressing these would typically involve proactive contract management by NASA, regular performance reviews, and clear communication channels with Brace Management Group, Inc. to resolve issues as they arise.
What is the historical spending pattern for contract closeout services at NASA, and how does this contract fit within that pattern?
Historical spending patterns for contract closeout services at NASA are not detailed in the provided data. However, agencies like NASA, with vast and complex procurement activities, consistently require services to manage the lifecycle of their contracts, including the crucial final closeout phase. This $13.5 million contract, spanning over six years, represents a significant but likely necessary investment to ensure compliance and administrative efficiency. Without broader historical data, it's difficult to definitively state how this contract fits, but it reflects an ongoing need for specialized support in managing NASA's extensive contract portfolio.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › Document Preparation Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: RFO2-36481(BAD)
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Address: 9500 ARENA DR STE 250, UPPER MARLBORO, MD, 05
Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,563,042
Exercised Options: $13,563,042
Current Obligation: $13,563,042
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2000-09-01
Current End Date: 2007-01-15
Potential End Date: 2007-01-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2011-10-04
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