NASA's $242M R&D contract with KBR Wyle Services for intelligent systems support shows strong competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $242,280,944 ($242.3M)
Contractor: KBR Wyle Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2014-04-01
End Date: 2020-04-30
Contract Duration: 2,221 days
Daily Burn Rate: $109.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF INTELLIGENT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT-2(ISRDS-2) CONTRACT FOR AMES RESEARCH CENTER INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS DIVISION THAT SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING: SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, DEVELOPS TECHNOLOGIES, BUILDS APPLICATIONS AND INFUSES AND DEPLOYS ADVANCED INFORMATION SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES INTO NASA MISSIONS AND OTHER FEDERAL GOVENMENT PROJECTS.
Place of Performance
Location: MOFFETT FIELD, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $242.3 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF INTELLIGENT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT-2(ISRDS-2) CONTRACT FOR AMES RESEARCH CENTER INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS DIVISION THAT SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING: SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, DEVELOPS TECHNOLOGIES, BUILDS APPLICATIONS AND INFUSES AND DEPLOYS ADVANCED INFORMATION SYSTEMS T… Key points: 1. Contract value of $242.3M over 6 years indicates significant investment in advanced R&D. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust market for these specialized services. 3. The contract's duration and scope point to a long-term strategic need for intelligent systems. 4. Performance context is NASA's Ames Research Center, a hub for cutting-edge scientific exploration. 5. Sector positioning is within R&D, specifically physical, engineering, and life sciences. 6. The definitive contract award type implies a clear scope of work and established terms.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total contract value of $242.3 million over approximately six years suggests a substantial investment in research and development. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale R&D contracts within NASA or other federal agencies would provide further context on value for money. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) pricing structure, while common for R&D, requires careful monitoring to ensure costs remain within reasonable bounds and the fixed fee provides adequate incentive for efficiency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 6 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized R&D support. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing as contractors vie for the award.
Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down costs and ensured NASA received competitive proposals for its advanced research needs.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's Ames Research Center by providing critical support for scientific research and technology development. Delivers advanced information systems technologies to enhance NASA missions and other federal government projects. Supports the development of cutting-edge applications and scientific research in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Implications for the scientific and technological workforce through the creation of specialized R&D roles.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- The long duration of the contract may present challenges in adapting to rapidly evolving technological landscapes.
- Reliance on a single contractor for such a critical R&D function could pose a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition indicates a strong market and likely competitive pricing.
- The contract supports NASA's Ames Research Center, a leading institution for innovation.
- The scope of work addresses critical needs in advanced information systems and scientific research.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, excluding biotechnology. This is a highly specialized area crucial for technological advancement across various government functions. The market for such services is characterized by a limited number of highly qualified firms capable of meeting stringent scientific and technical requirements. NASA's spending in this area is consistent with its mission to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and technological capability.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large-scale R&D contract awarded through full and open competition, it is unlikely that small businesses would be primary awardees unless they were part of a joint venture or subcontracting team. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation through subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NASA's contracting officers and program managers, ensuring adherence to the contract terms and performance standards. The Inspector General's office for NASA would also have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Ames Research Center Contracts
- Intelligent Systems Research
- Advanced Technology Development
- Federal Research and Development Spending
- Information Systems Support Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract requires diligent cost oversight.
- Long contract duration may risk technological obsolescence.
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to long-term critical R&D support.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, intelligent-systems, kbr-wyle-services, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, california, Ames-research-center, information-systems, scientific-research
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $242.3 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF INTELLIGENT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT-2(ISRDS-2) CONTRACT FOR AMES RESEARCH CENTER INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS DIVISION THAT SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING: SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, DEVELOPS TECHNOLOGIES, BUILDS APPLICATIONS AND INFUSES AND DEPLOYS ADVANCED INFORMATION SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES INTO NASA MISSIONS AND OTHER FEDERAL GOVENMENT PROJECTS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is KBR WYLE 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 $242.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-04-01. End: 2020-04-30.
What is the historical spending trend for intelligent research and development support at NASA Ames Research Center?
Analyzing historical spending on similar contracts at NASA Ames Research Center would provide valuable context for the $242.3 million awarded to KBR Wyle Services. While this specific contract spans from April 2014 to April 2020, understanding previous investments in intelligent systems research and development support is crucial. For instance, if prior contracts of similar scope were significantly smaller or larger, it could indicate a shift in NASA's R&D priorities or changes in market pricing. Without specific historical data points for comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess if this award represents an increase or decrease in investment relative to past efforts. However, the substantial value suggests a sustained or growing commitment to this area.
How does the per-unit cost of services under this contract compare to industry benchmarks for R&D support?
Determining a precise per-unit cost for this contract is challenging due to its broad scope and cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) structure, which bundles various research, development, and application services. CPFF contracts are inherently difficult to benchmark on a per-unit basis because the 'unit' is not clearly defined and costs can fluctuate. To assess value for money, one would typically compare the total contract value against the complexity and criticality of the services delivered, and against similar large-scale R&D contracts awarded by NASA or other federal agencies. If comparable contracts for similar intelligent systems R&D support have lower total values or deliver comparable outcomes for less investment, it might suggest the per-unit cost is not optimal. However, the competitive nature of the award (6 bidders) suggests that KBR Wyle's proposed pricing was deemed competitive at the time of award.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate KBR Wyle Services' performance on this contract?
While the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not publicly detailed, contracts of this nature typically focus on metrics related to research milestones, technology development timelines, successful application of developed systems, and adherence to budget. For a contract supporting scientific research and technology development, KPIs might include the number of research papers published, patents filed, successful prototypes developed, or the successful integration of new technologies into NASA missions. Performance would also be assessed based on the quality of deliverables, timeliness of project completion, and effective management of resources. NASA's contracting officers would monitor these KPIs to ensure KBR Wyle Services is meeting the objectives outlined in the contract.
What is the track record of KBR Wyle Services in delivering similar R&D support to federal agencies?
KBR Wyle Services, LLC has a significant track record in providing a wide range of services to government agencies, including extensive support for research and development, engineering, and technical services. Their experience often spans complex scientific and technical domains, aligning with the requirements of this NASA contract. Prior performance would be assessed based on factors such as successful completion of previous contracts, quality of work, adherence to schedules and budgets, and customer satisfaction. NASA would have reviewed KBR Wyle's past performance during the procurement process to determine their capability to execute this ISRDS-2 contract effectively. Their ability to win a contract under full and open competition with multiple bidders suggests a strong existing reputation and demonstrated capability.
What are the potential risks associated with the long duration (6 years) and significant value ($242M) of this contract?
The long duration and substantial value of this contract present several potential risks. Firstly, technological advancements can occur rapidly in the field of intelligent systems; a six-year contract might become outdated if not managed adaptively, potentially leading to the development of technologies that are no longer cutting-edge by its end. Secondly, the significant financial commitment requires robust oversight to ensure funds are used efficiently and effectively, guarding against cost overruns inherent in CPFF contracts. Thirdly, a long-term reliance on a single contractor for critical R&D functions could create vendor lock-in and reduce flexibility. Finally, changes in government priorities or budget allocations over the six-year period could impact the contract's scope or funding, requiring careful management and potential renegotiation.
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 › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Brown & Root Industrial Services Holdings, LLC
Address: 7701 GREENBELT RD STE 400, GREENBELT, MD, 20770
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $300,000,000
Exercised Options: $300,000,000
Current Obligation: $242,280,944
Actual Outlays: $31,764,215
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 19
Total Subaward Amount: $13,270,565
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-04-01
Current End Date: 2020-04-30
Potential End Date: 2020-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-28
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