NASA's $137M Gamma Ray Telescope contract awarded to GOLDBELT ORCA, LLC for R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,701,121 ($13.7M)
Contractor: Goldbelt Orca, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2004-09-23
End Date: 2010-07-31
Contract Duration: 2,137 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: GAMMA RAY LARGE AREA SPACE TELESCOPE MISSION OPERATIONS CENTER AND MISSION OPERATIONS SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20771
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $13.7 million to GOLDBELT ORCA, LLC for work described as: GAMMA RAY LARGE AREA SPACE TELESCOPE MISSION OPERATIONS CENTER AND MISSION OPERATIONS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for mission operations and support for a significant space telescope. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, indicating performance-based incentives. 3. Duration of the contract is over 6 years, suggesting a long-term operational need. 4. The contract was competed after exclusion of sources, implying a specific justification. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541710, for R&D. 6. The contract was awarded to GOLDBELT ORCA, LLC, a single entity. 7. The contract was not set aside for small businesses.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without detailed performance metrics and cost breakdowns. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure suggests that the final cost could vary based on performance, making a direct comparison to fixed-price contracts difficult. However, the total award amount of $137 million over approximately 6.7 years indicates a significant investment in space science operations. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and performance standards tied to the award fee.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This designation suggests that while competition was intended, specific circumstances led to the exclusion of certain potential bidders. The exact reasons for this exclusion are not detailed in the provided data. A limited competition may result in less aggressive pricing compared to full and open competition, as the pool of potential offerors is restricted.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the most competitive pricing due to the limited nature of the competition. The exclusion of sources could mean fewer bids were submitted, potentially leading to a higher final cost than if all qualified vendors had been allowed to compete.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the scientific community, who will receive operational support for the Gamma Ray Large Area Space Telescope. This contract ensures the continued operation and data collection from a crucial space-based observatory. The services delivered are essential for maintaining the functionality and scientific output of the telescope. The geographic impact is global, as space telescope data is typically shared internationally. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff involved in mission operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition could lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
- The 'Cost Plus Award Fee' structure requires careful monitoring to ensure cost control and effective performance.
- Lack of transparency regarding the 'exclusion of sources' raises questions about the fairness of the competition process.
Positive Signals
- The contract supports a significant scientific mission (Gamma Ray Large Area Space Telescope).
- The long contract duration (over 6 years) suggests a stable and ongoing need for these services.
- The award fee mechanism incentivizes contractor performance, potentially leading to better mission outcomes.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and space exploration. The aerospace industry, a subset of this sector, involves significant government investment in research, development, and operational support for space missions. Comparable spending benchmarks would include other large-scale NASA mission support contracts or R&D contracts for advanced scientific instruments and observatories. The market for such specialized services is often concentrated among a few highly capable contractors.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by 'sb': false. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications specifically mandated for small businesses through a set-aside program. However, the prime contractor, GOLDBELT ORCA, LLC, may still engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill certain aspects of the contract, depending on their own procurement strategies and the nature of the services required.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NASA's contracting officer and program management. The 'Cost Plus Award Fee' structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure that the contractor meets performance objectives and that costs are reasonable and allocable. Transparency would be assessed through contract reporting and performance reviews. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction isn't detailed, NASA's Office of Inspector General typically has oversight over NASA contracts to detect and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Space Science Missions
- Astrophysics Research Programs
- Satellite Operations Support
- Cost Plus Award Fee Contracts
- Research and Development Services
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may reduce price competitiveness.
- Cost Plus Award Fee contracts require diligent oversight to manage costs and ensure performance.
- Justification for 'exclusion of sources' needs to be clearly understood to assess fairness.
Tags
nasa, space-telescope, r&d, mission-operations, cost-plus-award-fee, limited-competition, goldbelt-orca-llc, research-and-development, maryland, definitive-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $13.7 million to GOLDBELT ORCA, LLC. GAMMA RAY LARGE AREA SPACE TELESCOPE MISSION OPERATIONS CENTER AND MISSION OPERATIONS SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GOLDBELT ORCA, 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 $13.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-09-23. End: 2010-07-31.
What is the track record of GOLDBELT ORCA, LLC with NASA or similar agencies?
Information regarding the specific track record of GOLDBELT ORCA, LLC with NASA or similar agencies is not provided in the data. To assess their track record, one would need to review past performance evaluations, previous contract awards, and any history of disputes or contract terminations. A thorough review would involve searching government contract databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for prior awards to this contractor, examining their performance metrics on those contracts, and looking for any debriefings or protest information. Without this external data, it's impossible to definitively state their historical performance quality and reliability for complex R&D and mission operations.
How does the value of this contract compare to similar space telescope mission operations contracts?
Direct comparison of this $137 million contract value to similar space telescope mission operations contracts is difficult without specific details on the scope, duration, and complexity of comparable missions. However, the duration of over 6 years suggests a substantial operational period. Large-scale space missions, such as Hubble or James Webb Space Telescope operations, involve multi-year contracts often in the hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. The value of this contract appears to be within a reasonable range for supporting a major scientific instrument over an extended period, assuming the scope of work is commensurate with its cost. A more precise benchmark would require analyzing contracts for missions with similar scientific objectives and technological requirements.
What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract?
The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract include potential cost overruns if performance targets are not met or if the base cost estimates are inaccurate. There is also a risk that the award fee structure might not adequately incentivize the desired performance outcomes, or conversely, that contractors might focus excessively on achieving award fee criteria at the expense of other critical mission aspects. For NASA, ensuring robust oversight is crucial to manage these risks. This involves clearly defining performance metrics, diligently monitoring contractor expenditures, and objectively evaluating performance to determine award fee payouts. Without strong oversight, CPAF contracts can become more expensive than anticipated.
How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' approach for ensuring value?
The effectiveness of 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' in ensuring value is highly dependent on the justification for excluding sources. If sources are excluded for legitimate, well-documented reasons (e.g., unique capabilities, national security concerns), it can still lead to competitive pricing among the remaining qualified bidders. However, if the exclusion is arbitrary or poorly justified, it can significantly limit competition, potentially leading to higher prices and reduced innovation. This approach carries a higher risk of not achieving the best possible value for taxpayers compared to true full and open competition where all responsible sources are permitted to bid. Transparency in the exclusion rationale is key to assessing its impact on value.
What are the historical spending patterns for Gamma Ray Large Area Space Telescope operations?
The provided data only details a single contract award of $137,011,210 to GOLDBELT ORCA, LLC for the Gamma Ray Large Area Space Telescope Mission Operations Center and Mission Operations Support, running from September 23, 2004, to July 31, 2010. This represents a specific period and scope of support. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to examine all prior and subsequent contracts related to this telescope's operations, including research, development, launch, and ongoing mission support. Without data on other contracts, it's impossible to establish a trend or pattern of spending for this program over its entire lifecycle.
What is the significance of the NAICS code 541710 for this contract?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541710 signifies 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.' For this contract, it indicates that the primary purpose of the work performed by GOLDBELT ORCA, LLC is research and development activities related to the Gamma Ray Large Area Space Telescope. This includes activities such as developing new operational procedures, analyzing scientific data, improving instrument performance, and potentially conducting theoretical research based on observational data. This classification distinguishes the contract from purely service-based or manufacturing contracts, highlighting its focus on scientific advancement and knowledge creation.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Goldbelt, Incorporated (UEI: 096763800)
Address: 7051 MURIKIRK MEADOWS DR # A 1, BELTSVILLE, MD, 20705
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,758,007
Exercised Options: $13,758,007
Current Obligation: $13,701,121
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-09-23
Current End Date: 2010-07-31
Potential End Date: 2010-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-09-20
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