NASA's James Webb Space Telescope engineering support contract valued at $38.8M, awarded to Genesis Engineering Solutions
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $38,774,399 ($38.8M)
Contractor: Genesis Engineering Solutions, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2014-07-18
End Date: 2017-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,262 days
Daily Burn Rate: $30.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF OBSERVATORY ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ENGINEERING DOCUMENTATION SUPPORT TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: INSTRUMENT AND MISSION DEVELOPMENT PLANS, MISSION INTERFACE CONTROL DOCUMENTS, ENVIRONMENTAL VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS PLAN, AND MISSION IMPLEMENTATION PLANS. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL SUPPORT REVIEWS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF VERIFICATION DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR THE DELIVERY OF HARDWARE AND SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: LANHAM, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20706
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $38.8 million to GENESIS ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF OBSERVATORY ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ENGINEERING DOCUMENTATION SUPPORT TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: INSTRUMENT AND MISSION DEVELOPMENT PLANS, MISSION INTERFACE CONTROL DOCUMENTS, EN… Key points: 1. Contract provides critical engineering documentation and support for the James Webb Space Telescope's mission. 2. Focus on instrument and mission development plans, interface control documents, and verification requirements. 3. Supports hardware and services delivery through review and verification documentation. 4. Contract duration spans over three years, indicating sustained support needs. 5. Awarded as a Firm Fixed Price contract, establishing clear cost expectations. 6. The contractor has a track record in engineering services, relevant to the scope of work.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's value of $38.8 million over approximately three years for specialized engineering support to a mission as complex as the James Webb Space Telescope appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar large-scale aerospace engineering support contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the critical nature of the JWST and the specialized expertise required, the pricing is likely competitive within this niche sector.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the selection of a qualified contractor. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation implies a robust competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and prevent price gouging.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the scientific community, who will receive crucial engineering support for the James Webb Space Telescope. Services delivered include the development of essential mission documentation, such as development plans, interface control documents, and verification requirements. The geographic impact is primarily at NASA centers involved in the JWST program, with potential for distributed engineering support. Workforce implications include the employment of specialized engineers and technical staff with expertise in aerospace and mission support.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if initial documentation requirements are not clearly defined.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical, long-term engineering support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive selection process.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government.
- Contractor's specialization in engineering services aligns with the contract's technical requirements.
- The contract supports a high-profile, scientifically significant project (JWST).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting large-scale, complex scientific and aerospace projects. The market for such specialized engineering support is relatively niche, dominated by firms with proven expertise in space missions. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in other major NASA or Department of Defense space and technology programs, where multi-million dollar contracts for specialized engineering and technical support are common.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus, as the 'ss' (small business set-aside) field is false and the 'sb' (small business) field is also false. This suggests the contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor, Genesis Engineering Solutions, Inc., is likely a larger entity. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist but are not explicitly detailed in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contracting officer and program management. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is generally maintained through NASA's public contract databases and reporting, though specific performance metrics and detailed oversight activities may not be publicly disclosed.
Related Government Programs
- James Webb Space Telescope Program
- NASA Engineering and Technical Services Contracts
- Aerospace Engineering Support
- Mission Development and Planning Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for schedule slippage impacting JWST mission timeline.
- Risk of technical documentation not meeting stringent NASA requirements.
- Dependency on a single contractor for critical support functions.
Tags
nasa, engineering-services, james-webb-space-telescope, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, aerospace, research-and-development, maryland, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $38.8 million to GENESIS ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF OBSERVATORY ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ENGINEERING DOCUMENTATION SUPPORT TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: INSTRUMENT AND MISSION DEVELOPMENT PLANS, MISSION INTERFACE CONTROL DOCUMENTS, ENVIRONMENTAL VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS PLAN, AND MISSION IMPLEMENTATION PLANS. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL SUPPORT REVIEWS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF VERIFICATION DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR THE DELIVERY OF HARDWARE AND SERVICES
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 $38.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-07-18. End: 2017-12-31.
What is the track record of Genesis Engineering Solutions, Inc. with NASA and similar large-scale projects?
Genesis Engineering Solutions, Inc. has a history of providing engineering and technical support services, particularly within the aerospace and defense sectors. Their involvement with NASA projects, including support for the James Webb Space Telescope, indicates a demonstrated capability to handle complex, high-stakes missions. While specific details on past performance metrics for this particular contract are not provided, their continued engagement with significant government contracts suggests a satisfactory performance history. Further analysis would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and any documented issues or commendations from previous NASA contracts to fully assess their track record.
How does the cost of this contract compare to similar engineering support services for major space telescopes?
Directly comparing the $38.8 million cost for this specific engineering support contract to similar services for other major space telescopes is challenging without access to detailed cost breakdowns and scope definitions for those comparable contracts. However, considering the complexity and duration of the James Webb Space Telescope mission, the expenditure appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized engineering documentation and support. Large-scale space projects often involve significant investments in engineering expertise. To provide a more robust comparison, one would need to analyze contracts for projects like Hubble, Chandra, or future missions, looking at the total value, duration, and the specific services rendered to establish a benchmark for value for money.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
Key risks for this contract include potential technical challenges in providing the required engineering documentation, schedule delays impacting the JWST's overall timeline, and cost overruns if the scope is not precisely managed. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management by both NASA and Genesis Engineering Solutions, clear definition and adherence to the Statement of Work, regular progress reviews, and the firm fixed-price contract structure which incentivizes cost control. NASA's oversight mechanisms, including technical reviews and acceptance criteria for deliverables, also serve to mitigate risks related to the quality and accuracy of the engineering support provided.
How effective has Genesis Engineering Solutions been in delivering the required engineering documentation and support for the JWST program?
Assessing the effectiveness of Genesis Engineering Solutions' delivery requires access to NASA's performance evaluations and project milestones for the James Webb Space Telescope. The fact that the contract was awarded and executed over its intended period suggests a baseline level of effectiveness. However, without specific performance data, such as on-time delivery rates, quality of documentation, and responsiveness to NASA's needs, a definitive judgment on effectiveness cannot be made. Publicly available information often focuses on contract awards rather than ongoing performance assessments. A thorough review of NASA's Inspector General reports or program reviews related to JWST could potentially offer insights into contractor performance.
What are the historical spending patterns for engineering support services by NASA on major telescope projects?
NASA's historical spending on engineering support services for major telescope projects, such as Hubble, Chandra, and Spitzer, has consistently involved substantial investments. These expenditures cover a wide range of activities, including design, development, testing, integration, and ongoing operational support. Contracts for such services are often multi-year, firm-fixed-price or cost-plus-incentive-fee arrangements, reflecting the long-term and complex nature of these missions. The total spending can run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars per project over their lifecycles. The $38.8 million for the JWST engineering support contract aligns with the scale of investment seen in previous flagship missions, indicating a consistent approach to securing specialized expertise for critical scientific endeavors.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4501 BOSTON WAY STE A, LANHAM, MD, 20706
Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $39,354,292
Exercised Options: $38,774,399
Current Obligation: $38,774,399
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS23F0345K
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-07-18
Current End Date: 2017-12-31
Potential End Date: 2018-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-09-23
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