NASA's Webb Telescope Engineering Support Task Order Reaches $20.2M, Awarded to Genesis Engineering Solutions
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,203,780 ($20.2M)
Contractor: Genesis Engineering Solutions, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2012-02-01
End Date: 2014-07-25
Contract Duration: 905 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: TASK ORDER TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES TO NASA/ GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER'S JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE (JWST) PROJECT.
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGE'S County, MARYLAND, 20771
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $20.2 million to GENESIS ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: TASK ORDER TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES TO NASA/ GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER'S JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE (JWST) PROJECT. Key points: 1. The task order for engineering support services for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) project was awarded in 2012 and completed in 2014. 2. Genesis Engineering Solutions, Inc. secured the contract, valued at $20.2 million. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. The primary sector for this spending is IT/Engineering Services, with a PSC code of 541330. 5. This task order represents a small portion of the overall JWST budget, which has faced significant cost overruns.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract was awarded at a firm fixed price, indicating a clear understanding of costs and scope. The awarded amount of $20.2 million appears reasonable for specialized engineering support on a complex, multi-year project like the JWST.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing as multiple vendors have the opportunity to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The $20.2 million spent on this task order is a direct investment in the successful development and operation of a major scientific instrument, with potential long-term benefits for research and technological advancement.
Public Impact
Supports a flagship scientific mission with global implications for astronomy. The engineering services provided are critical for the successful operation and maintenance of the James Webb Space Telescope. This contract contributes to the advancement of space exploration and scientific discovery. The project highlights the significant investment required for large-scale scientific endeavors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in large-scale scientific projects.
- Complexity of engineering support for advanced space telescopes.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Firm fixed price contract type.
Sector Analysis
This task order falls under Engineering Services, a critical component of the IT and Aerospace sectors. Spending in this area is often characterized by high specialization, long project durations, and significant R&D investment, as seen with the JWST.
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 businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by NASA, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. The firm fixed price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the awarded amount.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in large-scale scientific projects.
- Complexity of engineering support for advanced space telescopes.
- Contract duration extended beyond initial estimates (905 days vs. planned duration).
- Small business participation not indicated.
Tags
engineering-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, md, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $20.2 million to GENESIS ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS, INC.. TASK ORDER TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES TO NASA/ GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER'S JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE (JWST) PROJECT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GENESIS ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS, 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 $20.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-02-01. End: 2014-07-25.
What was the specific nature of the engineering support provided, and how did it contribute to the JWST's success?
The engineering support likely encompassed a range of technical services crucial for the James Webb Space Telescope's development and operation. This could include design analysis, systems engineering, testing, integration, and troubleshooting. Such expertise is vital for ensuring the complex telescope functions as intended in its extreme space environment, directly contributing to the mission's scientific objectives and overall success.
Given the JWST's history of cost overruns, how does this $20.2M task order fit into the broader financial picture?
While $20.2 million is a substantial sum, it represents a specific task order within the much larger, multi-billion dollar budget of the JWST program. The program has indeed experienced significant cost escalations over its lifecycle. This particular task order, awarded and completed early in the project's timeline, likely addressed critical engineering needs at that stage. Its cost should be viewed in context of the overall project's financial trajectory and the value of the engineering expertise it secured.
How effective was the full and open competition in ensuring value for money for this specific engineering support contract?
The full and open competition is a strong indicator of an effort to achieve value for money. By allowing multiple qualified vendors to bid, NASA likely fostered a competitive environment that drove down pricing and encouraged innovative solutions. The firm fixed price contract further solidifies this, as the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. While the ultimate effectiveness is best judged by the quality of services delivered and their impact on the JWST, the procurement method itself is designed to maximize taxpayer value.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4501 BOSTON WAY STE A, LANHAM, MD, 04
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,203,780
Exercised Options: $20,203,780
Current Obligation: $20,203,780
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS23F0345K
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-02-01
Current End Date: 2014-07-25
Potential End Date: 2014-07-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-10-17
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