NASA's $74M Facilities Support Services contract with THE COLLABORATIVE INC shows a long duration and full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $74,153,874 ($74.2M)
Contractor: THE Collaborative Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2004-07-29
End Date: 2011-08-01
Contract Duration: 2,559 days
Daily Burn Rate: $29.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND TECHNICAL SERVICES (BOATS)
Place of Performance
Location: MOFFETT FIELD, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $74.2 million to THE COLLABORATIVE INC for work described as: BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND TECHNICAL SERVICES (BOATS) Key points: 1. The contract's extended duration of over 7 years suggests a need for stable, long-term support for NASA's facilities. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating a broad market search and potential for competitive pricing. 3. The contract was awarded as a definitive contract, typically used for services with uncertain scope or duration. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561210 points to a focus on facilities support services. 5. The contract's base award value is $28,978, with a total potential value of $74,153,874. 6. The contract was awarded in 2004 and completed in 2011, providing historical context for current spending.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its age and the specific nature of facilities support services. The initial award of $28,978 is minimal, but the total potential value of $74.15 million over more than 7 years indicates a significant investment. Without more granular data on the services provided and their performance metrics, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the use of full and open competition suggests an attempt to achieve competitive pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies that while the competition was broad, there might have been specific reasons for excluding certain sources initially, though the final award was open. The presence of 9 bidders indicates a healthy level of competition for this facilities support services contract. This level of competition generally supports price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.
Public Impact
NASA facilities across California likely benefited from the provision of essential support services, ensuring operational continuity. The contract supported the maintenance and operation of critical infrastructure, enabling NASA's core missions. The services delivered likely encompassed a range of facility management tasks, from maintenance to operational support. The contract's duration suggests a stable demand for these services, potentially supporting a consistent workforce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The long duration of the contract could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
- Assessing the true value for money is difficult without detailed performance data from the contract period.
- The specific nature of 'Facilities Support Services' can be broad, requiring clear performance metrics to ensure accountability.
Positive Signals
- The use of full and open competition suggests a commitment to leveraging market competition for better outcomes.
- The award to THE COLLABORATIVE INC, a single entity, implies a clear point of accountability for service delivery.
- The contract's completion indicates that the required services were delivered over its term.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, a critical component of maintaining government and private infrastructure. This sector is characterized by a wide range of services, from janitorial and maintenance to complex building operations. Spending in this area is often driven by the need to ensure the safety, functionality, and efficiency of physical assets. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within government-wide facilities management contracts or large-scale real estate service agreements.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract included small business set-asides, as the 'sb' field is false. Furthermore, the 'ss' field is also false, meaning it was not a small business set-aside. This suggests that the contract was likely awarded to a large business or that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were not a primary focus of the contract's structure. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting occurred.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would have been managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers. As a definitive contract awarded in 2004, it predates some of the more recent, enhanced transparency and oversight mechanisms. Accountability would have been tied to the performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the contract. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract's execution.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Facilities Management Contracts
- Government Facilities Support Services
- General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules for Facilities Maintenance
- Department of Defense Facilities Operations Contracts
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration
- Potential for scope creep given definitive contract type and labor hours pricing
- Lack of detailed performance data in summary
Tags
facilities-support-services, nasa, california, definitive-contract, labor-hours, full-and-open-competition, services, large-contract, historical-contract, operations-support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $74.2 million to THE COLLABORATIVE INC. BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND TECHNICAL SERVICES (BOATS)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE COLLABORATIVE 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 $74.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-07-29. End: 2011-08-01.
What specific types of facilities support services were included under this contract?
While the NAICS code 561210 indicates 'Facilities Support Services,' the specific breakdown of services under this particular contract with THE COLLABORATIVE INC is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such services can encompass a broad range, including but not limited to building maintenance, repair, janitorial services, groundskeeping, security, and potentially specialized technical support for NASA's unique facilities. The 'LABOR HOURS' (pt) contract type suggests that the payment was based on the time and effort expended by personnel, rather than fixed-price deliverables, which is common for service contracts where the exact scope can fluctuate.
How did the final obligated amount compare to the total potential value?
The provided data shows a base award of $28,978 and a total potential value of $74,153,874. The contract duration was 2559 days (approximately 7 years). Without knowing the final obligated amount at the contract's completion, it's impossible to definitively say how much of the potential value was utilized. However, the significant difference between the base award and the total potential value suggests that the contract allowed for substantial growth and task orders to be issued over its lifespan, reflecting the dynamic needs of NASA's facilities.
What was the performance history of THE COLLABORATIVE INC on this contract?
The provided data does not include specific performance metrics or ratings for THE COLLABORATIVE INC on this particular contract. Performance history is typically tracked through contract performance reports (CPARs) or similar evaluations. Given that the contract was awarded in 2004 and completed in 2011, such records might exist within NASA's procurement systems. A thorough review of CPARs, if available, would be necessary to assess the contractor's track record regarding timeliness, quality of service, and adherence to contract requirements.
Were there any significant contract modifications or change orders issued during its term?
The data indicates a 'DEFINITIVE CONTRACT' award type and a 'LABOR HOURS' pricing structure, which often accommodate changes and evolving requirements. While the specific number and value of modifications are not provided, the substantial difference between the base award ($28,978) and the total potential value ($74,153,874) strongly suggests that numerous modifications or task orders were likely issued throughout the contract's 7-year duration. These modifications would have adjusted the scope, duration, or funding to meet NASA's changing facility support needs.
How does this contract's spending compare to other NASA facilities support contracts during the same period?
Comparing this $74 million contract to other NASA facilities support contracts from 2004-2011 requires access to historical NASA procurement data. However, $74 million over 7 years for facilities support at a major agency like NASA is a substantial but not necessarily outlier amount, depending on the scale and complexity of the facilities managed. Facilities support is a consistent need across government agencies, and spending levels can vary significantly based on the number, size, and type of installations an agency operates. This contract appears to represent a significant investment in maintaining NASA's infrastructure in California.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support 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
Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 273 SUMMER ST, BOSTON, MA, 02210
Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $81,035,439
Exercised Options: $77,546,199
Current Obligation: $74,153,874
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-07-29
Current End Date: 2011-08-01
Potential End Date: 2011-08-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-10-31
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