NASA's PESS Contract Awarded to Millennium Engineering for $203M in R&D Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $203,012,204 ($203.0M)
Contractor: Millennium Engineering and Integration Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2013-10-01
End Date: 2021-03-31
Contract Duration: 2,738 days
Daily Burn Rate: $74.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF THE AMES RESEARCH CENTER(ARC)PROJECT AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES (PESS)
Place of Performance
Location: MOFFETT FIELD, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $203.0 million to MILLENNIUM ENGINEERING AND INTEGRATION SERVICES, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF THE AMES RESEARCH CENTER(ARC)PROJECT AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES (PESS) Key points: 1. The contract supports Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Millennium Engineering and Integration Services, LLC was the awardee. 3. The contract was awarded under Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources. 4. The total award value is $203,001,204.27. 5. The contract duration was 2738 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. However, the fixed fee component provides some cost control.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources, indicating a competitive process was intended. This method aims to ensure fair pricing and access for qualified contractors.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process likely resulted in a fair market price, maximizing taxpayer value for the R&D services procured.
Public Impact
Supports critical research and development at NASA's Ames Research Center. The contract's duration of over 7 years suggests a long-term need for these services. Awarded to a single contractor, Millennium Engineering and Integration Services, LLC. The specific NAICS code (541712) points to specialized scientific and technical services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 74 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract type (CPFF) can incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- Exclusion of sources in the competition method warrants further review for potential impact on competition.
- Small business participation is not indicated (ss: false, sb: false).
Positive Signals
- Awarded under Full and Open Competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- Significant contract value indicates a substantial investment in R&D.
- Long contract duration (2738 days) implies sustained need and potential for contractor expertise development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement and innovation, often characterized by long project timelines and specialized expertise.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the scope of work or the required capabilities may have favored larger, more established firms.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Oversight would typically involve program managers and contracting officers ensuring performance and adherence to contract terms, especially given the CPFF structure.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF contract type.
- The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause may have limited competition.
- No indication of small business participation.
- Contract duration is substantial, requiring long-term oversight.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $203.0 million to MILLENNIUM ENGINEERING AND INTEGRATION SERVICES, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF THE AMES RESEARCH CENTER(ARC)PROJECT AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES (PESS)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MILLENNIUM ENGINEERING AND INTEGRATION SERVICES, 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 $203.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-10-01. End: 2021-03-31.
What specific R&D projects were supported by this contract, and what were the key outcomes or innovations achieved?
The contract supported Project and Engineering Support Services (PESS) at NASA's Ames Research Center. While specific project details are not provided, the R&D focus suggests contributions to areas like aerospace engineering, materials science, or life sciences research relevant to space exploration. Outcomes would likely include research findings, prototype development, and technical solutions to complex engineering challenges faced by NASA.
How did the 'Exclusion of Sources' clause in the 'Full and Open Competition' affect the bidding landscape and final price?
The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause, while part of a 'Full and Open Competition' framework, typically allows for specific sources to be excluded based on predefined criteria (e.g., security, specific capabilities). This could limit the number of potential bidders, potentially impacting the competitiveness of the bidding process and the final negotiated price. A thorough review would be needed to understand the justification for exclusion and its market impact.
What mechanisms were in place to manage costs and ensure value under the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure?
Under a CPFF contract, NASA would have established mechanisms to monitor the contractor's costs and ensure they were reasonable and allocable to the contract. The fixed fee provides a ceiling for the contractor's profit. Effective oversight would involve regular reviews of incurred costs, performance metrics, and adherence to the Statement of Work to prevent cost overruns and ensure the government received the intended value for its investment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Axient LLC (UEI: 011971939)
Address: 1400 CRYSTAL DR STE 800, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $257,651,782
Exercised Options: $227,517,643
Current Obligation: $203,012,204
Actual Outlays: $58,120,104
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 55
Total Subaward Amount: $15,039,536
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-10-01
Current End Date: 2021-03-31
Potential End Date: 2021-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-03-31
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