NASA's $127.7M contract for space science research fellows awarded to Oak Ridge Associated Universities
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $127,727,892 ($127.7M)
Contractor: OAK Ridge Associated Universities, Incorporated
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2005-11-01
End Date: 2016-01-31
Contract Duration: 3,743 days
Daily Burn Rate: $34.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: RESEARCH FELLOWS IN SPACE SCIENCE
Place of Performance
Location: OAK RIDGE, ANDERSON County, TENNESSEE, 37830
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $127.7 million to OAK RIDGE ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES, INCORPORATED for work described as: RESEARCH FELLOWS IN SPACE SCIENCE Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in specialized research personnel. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially robust market for research fellowship services. 3. Contract duration of over 10 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility but requires careful cost monitoring. 5. Geographic concentration in Tennessee for service delivery. 6. This contract supports NASA's broader mission in space exploration and scientific advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific details on the number of fellows, their qualifications, and the scope of research. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) pricing structure, while common for research and development, can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently. Comparing it to similar contracts for research fellows is difficult due to the specialized nature of space science and the long duration. However, the total award amount over more than a decade suggests a substantial per-year investment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders likely had the opportunity to submit proposals. This suggests a competitive environment for providing research fellowship services. The number of bidders is not specified, but the full and open nature generally promotes price discovery and potentially better value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of offers, potentially leading to more competitive pricing and innovative solutions.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's research initiatives by providing specialized scientific talent. Supports the advancement of space science through dedicated research fellows. Impacts the scientific community by offering opportunities for researchers. Workforce implications include the creation of specialized research positions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost creep in CPFF contracts if not closely monitored.
- Long contract duration may reduce flexibility to adapt to changing research needs.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a decade could limit exposure to new approaches.
Positive Signals
- Secured specialized expertise for critical space science research.
- Long-term commitment provides stability for research continuity.
- Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing environment.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting research and development in space science. The market for such specialized research support services is often niche, involving academic institutions and specialized research organizations. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining its scientific and exploratory capabilities, and contracts like this benchmark the cost of acquiring high-level scientific talent.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Given the specialized nature of space science research fellows and the large contract value, it is possible that larger, established research institutions or corporations were the primary bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by NASA contracting officers and program managers. The CPFF structure necessitates rigorous financial oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract. Inspector General involvement would be triggered by any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly available.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Technology Programs
- Scientific and Technical Services Contracts
- Federal Research Fellowships
- Space Science Research Grants
Risk Flags
- Cost Overruns Risk (CPFF)
- Long-Term Contract Lock-in
- Limited Competition Visibility
Tags
nasa, research-and-development, space-science, professional-scientific-and-technical-services, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, delivery-order, tennessee, long-term-contract, research-fellows
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $127.7 million to OAK RIDGE ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES, INCORPORATED. RESEARCH FELLOWS IN SPACE SCIENCE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is OAK RIDGE ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES, INCORPORATED.
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 $127.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-11-01. End: 2016-01-31.
What was the specific scope of work for the research fellows under this contract?
The contract, identified as 'RESEARCH FELLOWS IN SPACE SCIENCE,' was awarded to OAK RIDGE ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES, INCORPORATED by NASA. While the specific scope of work for the research fellows is not detailed in the provided data, the title strongly suggests that the fellows were engaged in advanced research related to space science. This could encompass a wide range of activities, including theoretical research, data analysis, experimental design, and potentially fieldwork or laboratory work supporting NASA's various space exploration and scientific missions. The long duration of the contract (over 10 years) implies a sustained need for these specialized research capabilities, likely contributing to ongoing or long-term NASA projects and objectives in areas such as astrophysics, planetary science, heliophysics, or Earth science from space.
How does the total contract value of $127.7 million compare to similar NASA contracts for research support?
Comparing the $127.7 million total contract value for 'RESEARCH FELLOWS IN SPACE SCIENCE' requires context regarding the number of fellows, their duration of service, and the specific scientific disciplines involved. NASA frequently awards large contracts for research and development, including those that support personnel. However, without specific benchmarks for the number of fellows or the average cost per fellow per year, a direct comparison is difficult. Contracts for specialized scientific expertise can vary significantly. Given the over 10-year duration, the annual average value is approximately $10-12 million, which is substantial but not necessarily out of line for large-scale, long-term research support initiatives within a major agency like NASA. Further analysis would involve examining contracts with similar objectives and durations.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract of this magnitude and duration?
The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract of this magnitude ($127.7 million) and long duration (over 10 years) revolve around cost control and contractor performance. For the government, the main risk is potential cost overruns, as the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a fixed fee. If costs escalate beyond initial projections, the total expenditure can increase significantly. Effective oversight and robust auditing are crucial to mitigate this. For the contractor, the risk lies in accurately estimating costs to ensure the fixed fee remains profitable, especially over a long period where unforeseen challenges can arise. There's also a risk of reduced incentive for the contractor to control costs aggressively, as their profit is fixed regardless of the final cost, although the CPFF structure does provide some incentive to complete the work efficiently to realize profit sooner.
What is the historical spending pattern for NASA's research fellowship programs?
The provided data focuses on a single contract awarded in 2005 and ending in 2016. This specific contract represents a significant investment of $127.7 million over more than a decade for space science research fellows. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to analyze NASA's budget allocations and contract awards across multiple fiscal years and for various research support categories. This would involve looking at trends in funding for scientific personnel, research grants, and support services. Without a broader dataset, it's impossible to determine if this contract's value or duration is typical or an outlier in NASA's historical spending on research fellows. Analyzing past solicitations and awards for similar services would provide more comprehensive insights into spending trends.
How does the geographic location of service delivery (Tennessee) impact the contract's execution and cost?
The contract specifies service delivery in Tennessee (ST: TN, SN: TENNESSEE), with Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc. being the contractor. This geographic concentration suggests that the research fellows were likely based or managed from facilities within Tennessee. This could potentially streamline operations and reduce logistical costs associated with managing personnel across multiple locations. However, it also means that the talent pool might be geographically limited unless remote work arrangements were extensively utilized. The cost structure would reflect local labor rates and operational expenses in Tennessee. For a federal contract, especially one involving specialized scientific talent, the location can influence recruitment success and the overall cost-effectiveness, though the specific impact depends heavily on the nature of the research and the need for on-site presence.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Human Resources Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 130 BADGER RD, OAK RIDGE, TN, 37830
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $127,727,892
Exercised Options: $127,727,892
Current Obligation: $127,727,892
Actual Outlays: $157,412
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNH06CC03B
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-11-01
Current End Date: 2016-01-31
Potential End Date: 2016-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-02-22
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