NASA's $388M IT Support Contract for Engineering Directorate Awarded to Arctic Slope Technical Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $388,544,135 ($388.5M)
Contractor: Arctic Slope Technical Services, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2016-04-01
End Date: 2022-08-31
Contract Duration: 2,343 days
Daily Burn Rate: $165.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF SOFTWARE AND ENGINEERING II CONTRACT. UNDER THIS CONTRACT, THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE APPLIED ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE (AETD) FACILITIES AND ASSOCIATED DESKTOPS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SUPPORT OF INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY OFFICERS, SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS, HELPDESK SUPPORT, FLIGHT SOFTWARE ENGINEERS, SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEERS, AND NETWORK ENGINEERS.
Place of Performance
Location: BELTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20705
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $388.5 million to ARCTIC SLOPE TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF SOFTWARE AND ENGINEERING II CONTRACT. UNDER THIS CONTRACT, THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE APPLIED ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE (AETD) FACILITIES AND ASSOCIATED DESKTOPS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SUP… Key points: 1. Significant IT technical support for critical engineering functions. 2. Contractor is a large business, not a small business. 3. Potential for cost overruns given Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure. 4. Sector focus on R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $388.5 million over approximately 6.5 years suggests a substantial investment in IT support. Without specific benchmarks for similar R&D IT support contracts, a direct pricing assessment is difficult, but the duration and scope indicate a significant expenditure.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a limited competition. This method may not have yielded the most competitive pricing, as fewer bidders were likely involved compared to unrestricted full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The substantial contract value represents a significant taxpayer investment. The limited competition raises questions about whether taxpayers received the best possible value for the services rendered.
Public Impact
Ensures critical IT infrastructure and support for NASA's Applied Engineering and Technology Directorate. Supports specialized roles like flight software engineers and network engineers, crucial for R&D. The contract's duration and value highlight the ongoing need for advanced IT services in aerospace research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may have inflated costs.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractor overspending.
- Contract duration is long, increasing risk exposure.
Positive Signals
- Provides essential IT support for a key NASA directorate.
- Contractor has experience in providing technical support.
- Supports advanced engineering and research functions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically IT technical support. Spending in this area is critical for innovation but can be complex to benchmark due to specialized needs.
Small Business Impact
The contractor, Arctic Slope Technical Services, Inc., is not identified as a small business. This contract does not appear to have specific provisions or set-asides for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's oversight would typically involve NASA's contracting officers and potentially program managers to ensure deliverables meet requirements and costs are managed. The 'exclusion of sources' aspect warrants scrutiny to ensure the exclusion was justified and competitive.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may have reduced price competitiveness.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to changing technological needs and market conditions.
- Lack of small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, md, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $388.5 million to ARCTIC SLOPE TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.. IGF::CT::IGF SOFTWARE AND ENGINEERING II CONTRACT. UNDER THIS CONTRACT, THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE APPLIED ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE (AETD) FACILITIES AND ASSOCIATED DESKTOPS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SUPPORT OF INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY OFFICERS, SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS, HELPDESK SUPPORT, FLIGHT SOFTWARE ENGINEERS, SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEERS, AND NETWORK ENGINEERS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ARCTIC SLOPE TECHNICAL 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 $388.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2016-04-01. End: 2022-08-31.
What was the justification for excluding sources in this full and open competition, and how did it impact the final price?
The justification for excluding sources is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such exclusions are based on specific technical requirements, proprietary technology, or urgent needs that limit the pool of eligible contractors. This limitation can reduce competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher prices than if a broader competition had been feasible. Further investigation into the specific reasons for exclusion is needed to assess the impact on value for money.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is contractor performance being measured?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or the methods used to measure contractor performance. Effective oversight would require clearly defined KPIs related to IT support availability, response times, system uptime, security compliance, and user satisfaction. Regular performance reviews and reporting against these KPIs are essential for ensuring the contractor meets NASA's needs and for managing the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure align with the R&D nature of the support provided, and what controls are in place to manage potential cost overruns?
The CPFF structure can be challenging in R&D environments where project scope and costs can be uncertain. While it provides flexibility, it also places the risk of cost overruns primarily on the government. NASA likely has established controls, such as detailed cost accounting, regular audits, and defined fee structures tied to performance milestones, to mitigate this risk. However, the inherent nature of CPFF warrants careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency.
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: NNG15498942R
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
Address: 7000 MUIRKIRK MEADOWS DR, BELTSVILLE, MD, 20705
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $420,499,102
Exercised Options: $420,499,102
Current Obligation: $388,544,135
Actual Outlays: $220,854,594
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 52
Total Subaward Amount: $58,921,703
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2016-04-01
Current End Date: 2022-08-31
Potential End Date: 2022-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-11-12
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