NASA's $12.9M Engineering Directorate Configuration Management contract awarded to BASTION TECHNOLOGIES, INC. in 2002
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,889,044 ($12.9M)
Contractor: Bastion Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2002-07-16
End Date: 2007-07-15
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: IT
Official Description: ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77058
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $12.9 million to BASTION TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of configuration management services. 2. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources suggests a deliberate procurement strategy. 3. The contract's long duration (5 years) indicates a need for sustained support. 4. Performance context is within NASA's engineering directorate, a critical function. 5. Sector positioning is in IT services, specifically computer-related services. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, indicating a focus on larger prime contractors.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $12.9 million over five years, averaging around $2.58 million annually, seems within a reasonable range for specialized engineering support services. Benchmarking against similar IT and engineering support contracts at NASA or other federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The absence of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes a detailed value assessment challenging, but the duration suggests a stable, ongoing need.
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.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria, possibly related to technical capabilities or prior performance. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method suggests a competitive process was initiated, aiming to secure the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: This procurement method, when executed properly, should lead to competitive pricing and ensure taxpayers receive good value for the services rendered. The exclusion of sources, if justified, ensures that only qualified entities participate, potentially leading to better outcomes.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's Engineering Directorate by ensuring proper configuration management of critical systems. Delivers essential IT and engineering support services to maintain project integrity. Geographic impact is primarily at NASA facilities where engineering operations are conducted. Workforce implications include skilled IT and engineering professionals supporting NASA's mission.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to long contract duration and specialized services.
- Risk of cost overruns if scope creep occurs without adequate change control.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical configuration management functions.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.
- Long-term contract indicates a stable and predictable need for services.
- Contractor's sustained engagement implies successful performance over time.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) and professional services sector, specifically focusing on computer-related services and engineering support. The market for such services is large and competitive, with numerous firms capable of providing configuration management and engineering support. NASA's spending in this area is consistent with the complex technological needs of space exploration and research, requiring robust systems engineering and management.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. This suggests that the procurement was open to all responsible sources, and the primary contractor, BASTION TECHNOLOGIES, INC., is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, but given the nature of the services, it's possible that specialized tasks could be subcontracted.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers within the Engineering Directorate. Accountability measures would be tied to contract performance clauses, milestones, and deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific internal oversight processes are not detailed here.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Engineering Support Services
- IT Services Contracts
- Configuration Management Services
- Aerospace Engineering Support
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may indicate potential for vendor lock-in.
- Procurement method 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' warrants further investigation into justification.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes objective value assessment difficult.
Tags
nasa, it-services, configuration-management, engineering-support, bastion-technologies-inc, full-and-open-competition, labor-hours, texas, professional-services, it-support, aerospace, 2002-award
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $12.9 million to BASTION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BASTION TECHNOLOGIES, 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 $12.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2002-07-16. End: 2007-07-15.
What was the specific justification for excluding certain sources in this 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award?
The provided data does not specify the exact reasons for excluding certain sources. Typically, 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' is used when a solicitation is issued broadly, but specific vendors are later excluded based on criteria such as failure to meet technical requirements, past performance issues, or inability to meet specific security or operational needs. For this NASA contract, the exclusion might have been related to specialized knowledge of NASA's systems or unique engineering requirements that only a subset of potential bidders could fulfill. A deeper dive into the contract's solicitation documents or award justification would be needed to ascertain the precise reasons for source exclusion.
How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar configuration management contracts at NASA or other federal agencies?
The annual cost for this contract averaged approximately $2.58 million ($12.9M / 5 years). Benchmarking this against similar contracts is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of federal IT and engineering support contracts with detailed scope and performance metrics. However, for a five-year period supporting a major federal agency like NASA, this annual figure appears to be within a plausible range for specialized engineering and configuration management services. Factors like the complexity of systems managed, the level of security required, and the specific deliverables would heavily influence comparisons. Without more granular data on comparable contracts, a definitive assessment of cost-effectiveness is difficult.
What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?
The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or deliverables for this contract. Configuration management contracts typically involve maintaining accurate records of system configurations, managing changes to hardware and software, ensuring version control, and supporting the overall engineering lifecycle. Expected deliverables would likely include regular status reports, updated configuration databases, change request documentation, and potentially audits of configuration baselines. The success of the contract would be measured against the contractor's ability to meet these defined requirements accurately and efficiently, ensuring the integrity and traceability of NASA's engineering assets.
What is the track record of BASTION TECHNOLOGIES, INC. with NASA and other federal agencies for similar services?
BASTION TECHNOLOGIES, INC. has a history of contracting with federal agencies, including NASA. This specific contract, awarded in 2002 and ending in 2007, indicates a significant engagement with NASA during that period. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine their performance on this and other contracts, looking for indicators such as contract modifications, performance reviews, any disputes or terminations, and the overall value and duration of their federal awards. A review of contract databases like FPDS or SAM.gov could provide more insights into their broader federal contracting history and performance.
Were there any significant contract modifications or challenges encountered during the life of this contract?
The provided summary data does not include information on contract modifications, challenges, or disputes that may have occurred during the five-year term of this contract (2002-2007). Significant modifications could indicate changes in scope, funding adjustments, or extensions. Challenges might involve technical difficulties, performance issues, or changes in requirements. Without access to the contract's official file or modification history, it is impossible to determine if any such events transpired. Such details are crucial for a complete understanding of the contract's execution and the contractor's adaptability.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 17625 EL CAMINO REAL # 330, HOUSTON, TX, 90
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,075,000
Exercised Options: $14,075,000
Current Obligation: $12,889,044
Timeline
Start Date: 2002-07-16
Current End Date: 2007-07-15
Potential End Date: 2007-07-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-03-09
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