NASA's $17.9M PAAC Bridge Contract Awarded to KBR Wyle Services for Engineering Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,906,949 ($17.9M)
Contractor: KBR Wyle Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2008-10-28
End Date: 2009-04-27
Contract Duration: 181 days
Daily Burn Rate: $98.9K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE PROGRAM ANALYSIS AND CONTROL (PAAC) BRIDGE CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE SERVICES INCLUDING PLANNING AND SCHEDULING; CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT; INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY; DOCUMENTATION/LIBRARY; GENERAL BUSINESS; AND GENERAL ACCOUNTING
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20771
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $17.9 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: THE PROGRAM ANALYSIS AND CONTROL (PAAC) BRIDGE CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE SERVICES INCLUDING PLANNING AND SCHEDULING; CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT; INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY; DOCUMENTATION/LIBRARY; GENERAL BUSINESS; AND GENERAL ACCOUNTING Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential program support services, including IT, planning, and accounting. 2. KBR Wyle Services, LLC is the sole awardee, indicating a lack of competition. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can incentivize performance but requires careful oversight. 4. The Engineering Services sector is broad, and this contract appears to be for specialized program management.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $17.9M for 181 days suggests a significant daily burn rate. Without comparable contracts for similar program support services, assessing value is difficult. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for performance incentives but can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, suggesting a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers. The rationale for a sole-source award, especially for a bridge contract, would need further justification.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this $17.9M contract may result in taxpayers paying more than if the services had been competitively procured.
Public Impact
Essential program support services are being provided to NASA. The contract duration is relatively short (181 days), suggesting it's a bridge to a future, potentially larger, contract. The award to KBR Wyle Services, LLC impacts a specific segment of the federal contracting market for engineering and program support.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract type
- Potential for cost overruns without strong oversight
Positive Signals
- Provides critical program support services
- Awarded to an established contractor (KBR Wyle Services, LLC)
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330). Spending in this sector is substantial, covering a wide range of technical and management support for government projects. This specific award appears to be for program management and administrative support rather than direct engineering design.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or subcontracted.
Oversight & Accountability
As a sole-source award, this contract warrants close oversight to ensure fair pricing and effective service delivery. NASA's internal oversight mechanisms will be crucial in managing the Cost Plus Award Fee structure and preventing potential cost creep.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires diligent oversight to control costs.
- Potential for contractor to maximize fees without proportional value increase.
- Lack of transparency regarding the justification for sole-source award.
Tags
engineering-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, md, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $17.9 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. THE PROGRAM ANALYSIS AND CONTROL (PAAC) BRIDGE CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE SERVICES INCLUDING PLANNING AND SCHEDULING; CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT; INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY; DOCUMENTATION/LIBRARY; GENERAL BUSINESS; AND GENERAL ACCOUNTING
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 $17.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-10-28. End: 2009-04-27.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, especially given its significant value?
The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, urgent needs, or the absence of adequate competition. For a bridge contract, it might be to maintain continuity of essential services while a new, competitively awarded contract is being finalized. A thorough review of NASA's justification documentation is necessary to understand the specific rationale and ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations.
How will NASA ensure cost control and value for money with a Cost Plus Award Fee contract, particularly in a sole-source scenario?
NASA must establish clear performance metrics and award fee criteria that are directly tied to mission objectives and cost efficiency. Robust monitoring of expenditures, regular performance reviews, and transparent communication with KBR Wyle Services, LLC are essential. The agency should also benchmark costs against industry standards where possible to ensure the fees awarded are justified by exceptional performance.
What is the expected impact of this bridge contract on the follow-on procurement strategy for these program support services?
This bridge contract suggests that NASA is transitioning or re-evaluating its strategy for acquiring these program support services. The duration and nature of the bridge contract may indicate efforts to refine requirements, explore different acquisition approaches, or await budgetary approvals for a larger, long-term solution. The success and cost-effectiveness of this bridge contract could influence the requirements and evaluation criteria for the subsequent procurement.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: KBR, Inc.
Address: 7701 GREENBELT RD STE 400, GREENBELT, MD, 20770
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: $24,000,000
Exercised Options: $24,000,000
Current Obligation: $17,906,949
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-10-28
Current End Date: 2009-04-27
Potential End Date: 2009-04-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-09-07
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