NASA awards $252M for education and outreach software systems, supporting R&D in physical and engineering sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $252,087,424 ($252.1M)
Contractor: Columbus Technologies and Services, Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2010-08-14
End Date: 2016-03-31
Contract Duration: 2,056 days
Daily Burn Rate: $122.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR MAY PERFORM THE DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, VERIFICATION, VALIDATION, DOCUMENTATION, AND SUSTAINING ENGINEERING OF SOFTWARE AND SYSTEMS FOR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH APPLICATIONS. EXISTING EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SYSTEMS MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE SPACE OPERATIONS LEARNING CENTER (SOLC). THE CONTRACTOR MAY SUPPORT VARIOUS EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PREPARATION OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS VIA WRITTEN, ELECTRONIC, WEB, AND AUDIO-VISUAL METHODS AND FORMATS THAT INCLUDE PUBLICATIONS, POSTERS, INSTRUMENTS, APPARATUS, ITEMS, VIDEOS, SOFTWARE, HARDWARE, CD ROM, LASER DISCS, AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY-BASED MEDIUMS.
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20771
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $252.1 million to COLUMBUS TECHNOLOGIES AND SERVICES, INC for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR MAY PERFORM THE DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, VERIFICATION, VALIDATION, DOCUMENTATION, AND SUSTAINING ENGINEERING OF SOFTWARE AND SYSTEMS FOR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH APPLICATIONS. EXISTING EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SYSTEMS MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE SPACE OPERA… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on design, implementation, and sustaining engineering for educational software and systems. 2. Scope includes support for events and activities, and creation of diverse educational materials. 3. The contract is a Cost Plus Award Fee type, incentivizing performance. 4. It falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 5. The contract duration spans over 2000 days, indicating a long-term need. 6. The contractor is responsible for a wide range of educational media formats.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $252 million over approximately 5.6 years suggests a significant investment in educational outreach technology. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for R&D support and educational material development is challenging without more specific service details. However, the breadth of services, from software engineering to multi-format content creation, indicates a comprehensive approach. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for performance-based incentives, which can drive value if managed effectively.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that multiple sources were considered and allowed to compete. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this competition type generally fosters price discovery and encourages multiple companies to submit proposals, potentially leading to more competitive pricing. The exclusion of sources might suggest a specific set of capabilities were sought, but the 'full and open' aspect implies a broad solicitation.
Taxpayer Impact: This competitive approach is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at a fair market price, reducing the risk of overpayment and maximizing the value of federal investment.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are students, educators, and the public who will engage with NASA's educational and outreach programs. Services delivered include the development and maintenance of software for educational applications and the creation of diverse learning materials. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting NASA's mission to disseminate scientific knowledge and inspire future generations. Workforce implications include roles for software engineers, technical writers, instructional designers, and multimedia specialists.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can sometimes lead to higher costs if award fees are consistently met without stringent oversight of the base cost.
- The long duration of the contract (2056 days) may present challenges in adapting to rapidly evolving educational technologies.
- Defining and measuring 'success' for award fees in R&D and educational outreach can be subjective, potentially leading to disputes or inflated payouts.
Positive Signals
- The 'Full and Open Competition' award basis suggests a robust selection process that likely identified a capable contractor.
- The Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivizes high performance and quality in the delivery of software and educational materials.
- The contract's focus on sustaining engineering implies a commitment to long-term support and reliability of critical educational systems.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on software and systems for education and outreach. The market for such services involves companies specializing in educational technology, software development, and technical communication. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in contracts supporting federal agency educational initiatives, STEM outreach programs, and the development of digital learning platforms. The size of this contract suggests a significant, long-term program within NASA's science and education directorates.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Columbus Technologies and Services, Inc., is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small businesses would primarily arise through subcontracting, if the prime contractor chooses to engage them.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers, ensuring adherence to the contract terms and performance standards. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates careful monitoring of performance metrics to justify award fee payments. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements and public contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Education and Public Outreach Programs
- Federal STEM Education Initiatives
- Software Development Contracts
- Educational Technology Services
- Research and Development Support Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for technological obsolescence due to long contract duration.
- Subjectivity in award fee determination could lead to cost overruns if not managed.
- Dependence on contractor's ability to adapt to evolving educational needs and technologies.
Tags
research-and-development, software-development, educational-technology, nasa, cost-plus-award-fee, full-and-open-competition, definitive-contract, science-communication, stem-education, outreach-programs, systems-engineering, maryland
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $252.1 million to COLUMBUS TECHNOLOGIES AND SERVICES, INC. THE CONTRACTOR MAY PERFORM THE DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, VERIFICATION, VALIDATION, DOCUMENTATION, AND SUSTAINING ENGINEERING OF SOFTWARE AND SYSTEMS FOR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH APPLICATIONS. EXISTING EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SYSTEMS MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE SPACE OPERATIONS LEARNING CENTER (SOLC). THE CONTRACTOR MAY SUPPORT VARIOUS EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PREPARATION OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS VIA WRITTEN, ELEC
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COLUMBUS TECHNOLOGIES AND SERVICES, 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 $252.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-08-14. End: 2016-03-31.
What is the track record of Columbus Technologies and Services, Inc. with NASA and similar government contracts?
Columbus Technologies and Services, Inc. has a history of performing work for NASA and other federal agencies. While the provided data focuses on this specific contract, a deeper dive into their contract history would reveal their performance on other R&D, software development, and educational support contracts. Analyzing past performance ratings, any contract disputes, and the types of agencies they have served would provide a comprehensive view of their track record. Their ability to successfully manage complex software development and educational outreach projects, as evidenced by this significant award, suggests a level of established capability and trust with the agency.
How does the value of this contract compare to similar R&D and educational outreach contracts awarded by NASA or other agencies?
The $252 million value over approximately 5.6 years positions this as a substantial contract for R&D support and educational outreach. To benchmark effectively, one would compare it to other large-scale contracts for developing and sustaining complex software systems, creating multi-format educational content, and supporting agency-wide outreach initiatives. Contracts for similar services, especially those involving advanced technology development and broad dissemination, can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. The specific nature of supporting NASA's unique educational and outreach missions, which often involve complex scientific concepts, may justify a higher investment compared to more generic educational software contracts.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to determine the award fees for this contract?
The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for determining award fees are not detailed in the provided data but are inherent to the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure. Typically, for a contract of this nature, KPIs would likely focus on the quality and timeliness of software development, the effectiveness and reach of educational materials produced, user satisfaction with the educational systems, successful support of outreach events, and overall project management efficiency. NASA would have established objective and subjective criteria against which Columbus Technologies and Services, Inc.'s performance would be measured to justify the 'award fee' portion of the contract's total potential value.
What is the potential risk associated with the long duration and evolving nature of educational technology?
The contract's duration of 2056 days (over 5.6 years) presents a risk of technological obsolescence in the rapidly evolving field of educational technology. Software developed early in the contract may become outdated before its completion or sustaining engineering phase. To mitigate this, the contract likely includes provisions for iterative development, agile methodologies, and regular technology refresh cycles. Effective program management by both NASA and Columbus Technologies and Services, Inc. is crucial to ensure the systems and materials remain relevant and effective throughout the contract period, adapting to new pedagogical approaches and technological advancements.
How does this contract align with NASA's broader strategic goals for science communication and STEM education?
This contract directly aligns with NASA's strategic goals of advancing scientific knowledge and inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers. By funding the development of software and educational materials for outreach, NASA aims to make its missions and discoveries accessible to a wider audience, fostering interest in STEM fields. The contract supports the dissemination of information about space exploration, Earth science, aeronautics, and other areas of NASA's work. The emphasis on diverse formats (written, electronic, web, audio-visual) ensures broad reach and engagement across different learning styles and demographics, contributing to NASA's public engagement mandate.
What is the historical spending pattern for similar education and outreach technology support at NASA?
Historical spending patterns for similar education and outreach technology support at NASA would likely show a consistent, albeit potentially fluctuating, investment in these areas. Agencies like NASA recognize the importance of public engagement and STEM education, often dedicating significant resources to these efforts. While specific historical dollar amounts for comparable contracts are not provided, the existence of this $252 million contract suggests that NASA views such support as a critical and substantial component of its operations. Trends might indicate an increasing reliance on digital platforms and interactive technologies over time, reflecting broader shifts in educational delivery.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNG09276134R
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1960 E GRAND AVE STE 1000, EL SEGUNDO, CA, 90245
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $255,000,000
Exercised Options: $255,000,000
Current Obligation: $252,087,424
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 26
Total Subaward Amount: $102,632,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-08-14
Current End Date: 2016-03-31
Potential End Date: 2016-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-05-04
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