NASA's $18.4M contract for education support services awarded to Valador Inc. shows fair value
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,417,644 ($18.4M)
Contractor: Valador Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2012-03-01
End Date: 2018-01-31
Contract Duration: 2,162 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF OTHER FUNCTIONS - THIS ORDER IS FOR ON-SITE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION. PROVIDE PROJECT AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR SPECIAL ACTIVITIES, AS REQUIRED BY THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION. ACTIVITIES MAY INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION RELATED MISSIONS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR PRE-LAUNCH CONFERENCES AND RELATED ACTIVITIES, PROJECT MANAGERS MEETINGS, INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUPS, PARTICIPATING IN SPECIAL ACTION COMMITTEES FOR THE EDUCATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE SUCH AS EVALUATION AND REVIEW OF PILOT PROJECTS. PROVIDE PROJECT MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT TO ASSIGNED ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SCOPING THE EFFORT, IDENTIFYING REQUIREMENTS, MAPPING OUTCOMES TO THE NASA EDUCATION STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK (AS APPROPRIATE), IDENTIFYING AND PURSUING POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS, AND DEVELOPING SCHEDULES, MILESTONES, PROVIDING AND MONITORING WORK ASSIGNMENTS FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS, ESTABLISHING COMMUNICATION CHANNELS, EVALUATING, AND PROVIDING DOWN-AND-IN AND UP-AND-OUT REPORTING. PROVIDE SUPPORT THAT IMPROVES DATA COLLECTION EFFORTS, EVALUATION OF ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS, AND PERFORMANCE MONITORING OF WORK PERFORMED ACROSS NASA EDUCATION. PROVIDE GUIDANCE IN DEVELOPING END-USER SURVEYS TO COLLECT DATA THAT SUPPORTS PART AND OTHER MEASURES OF IMPACT AND EFFECTIVENESS. ALIGN DATA COLLECTION ACTIVITIES TO STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES, ASSIST IN DEVELOPING TOOLS TO FACILITATE MEANINGFUL DATA COLLECTION, AND PROVIDE TRAINING AND EXPERTISE ON EVALUATING AND IMPROVING UTILITY OF NASA EDUCATION PROJECTS. PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR ALL ASPECTS OF THE EVALUATION OF THE NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM INCLUDING THE AFFILIATE SURVEY, NETWORK PARTICIPATION AND RESPONSIVENESS, PROGRAM PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS REPORT, AND LOGISTICS. PROVIDE PROGRAMMATIC AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE SUMMER OF INNOVATION PROJECT INCLUDING ASSISTANCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECT SCHEDULES AND MILESTONES, COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION ACROSS THE AGENCY WITH NASA EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF PROJECT OUTCOMES, DATA COLLECTION, AND EVALUATION. TRACK SCHEDULES, MILESTONES, ACTIONS, ETC., FOR NASA OFFICE OF EDUCATION INTEGRATION TEAM AND SPACE GRANT PROGRAM (MS PROJECT AND/OR VISIO PROFICIENCY). PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH THE COLLECTION, ERROR ANALYSIS, AND CORRECTIONS TO 2010 SPACE GRANT PERFORMANCE DATA (MS EXCEL PROFICIENCY). CREATE AND EDIT OF PROGRAMMATIC CORRESPONDENCE, ANALYTICAL REPORTS, AND OTHER DELIVERABLES. ASSIST THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION IN PREPARING FOR MEETINGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND BRIEFINGS (POWERPOINT PROFICIENCY).
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20546
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $18.4 million to VALADOR INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF OTHER FUNCTIONS - THIS ORDER IS FOR ON-SITE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION. PROVIDE PROJECT AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR SPECIAL ACTIVITIES, AS REQUIRED BY THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION. ACTIVITIES MAY INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION RELATED MISSIONS IN… Key points: 1. The contract provided essential project and program management support for special activities within the Office of Education. 2. Services included strategic planning, meeting facilitation, and evaluation of pilot projects, aligning with NASA's education framework. 3. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 4. Valador Inc. has a track record of providing similar management consulting services to government agencies. 5. The contract's duration of over 6 years allowed for consistent support and knowledge retention. 6. The use of Time and Materials pricing may introduce some cost variability but allows flexibility for evolving needs.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's total value of $18.4 million over approximately six years suggests a reasonable annual spend for specialized management and consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for program management support in federal agencies indicates that the pricing was likely competitive, especially given the full and open competition. While specific cost breakdowns are not available, the overall value appears aligned with the scope of work, which involved strategic planning, interagency coordination, and project oversight for educational initiatives.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure that the government receives the best value. The presence of multiple bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions. The specific number of bidders is not detailed, but the competition type itself is a positive indicator for cost-effectiveness.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that generally drives down costs and ensures that public funds are used efficiently for essential services.
Public Impact
The Office of Education at NASA directly benefited from enhanced project and program management capabilities. Services supported NASA's education-related missions, potentially impacting outreach and strategic planning for educational programs. The contract facilitated interagency working groups and special action committees, fostering collaboration on educational initiatives. Workforce implications include the provision of specialized project management expertise to support NASA's educational goals.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored, as it bills for direct labor hours and indirect costs at specified rates.
- The broad scope of 'special activities' could allow for scope creep if not clearly defined and managed.
- Reliance on a single contractor for extended periods may reduce flexibility in adapting to rapidly changing educational strategies or technologies.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust vetting process and competitive pricing.
- The contract duration allowed for continuity of services and development of institutional knowledge within the Office of Education.
- The services provided directly supported NASA's strategic goals in education, indicating alignment with agency priorities.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized expertise offered to government and private entities. The market size for such services is substantial, with numerous firms competing for federal contracts. This particular contract fits within the government's need for specialized support to manage and execute strategic initiatives, particularly in areas like education outreach and program development.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that this was not a small business set-aside, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific contract appears limited. However, the prime contractor, Valador Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors, which would indirectly benefit them. Further investigation into Valador's subcontracting practices would be needed to fully assess the impact.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contracting officers and program managers. The contract's Time and Materials (T&M) nature necessitates diligent oversight to ensure that hours billed and costs incurred are reasonable and allocable to the contract's scope. Transparency is facilitated through contract reporting requirements. While no specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction is mentioned for this particular order, NASA's Office of Inspector General generally has oversight over NASA contracts to ensure accountability and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Education Programs
- Federal Management Consulting Services
- Interagency Collaboration Initiatives
- Project Management Support Contracts
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials Pricing
- Potential for Scope Creep
- Contract Duration
Tags
nasa, management-consulting, administrative-management, full-and-open-competition, time-and-materials, program-management, education-support, district-of-columbia, large-contract, professional-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $18.4 million to VALADOR INC. IGF::OT::IGF OTHER FUNCTIONS - THIS ORDER IS FOR ON-SITE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION. PROVIDE PROJECT AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR SPECIAL ACTIVITIES, AS REQUIRED BY THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION. ACTIVITIES MAY INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION RELATED MISSIONS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR PRE-LAUNCH CONFERENCES AND RELATED ACTIVITIES, PROJECT MANAGERS MEETINGS, INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUPS, PARTICIPATING IN SPECIAL ACTION COMMITTEES FOR THE EDUCATION COORDIN
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VALADOR 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 $18.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-03-01. End: 2018-01-31.
What is Valador Inc.'s overall track record with federal contracts, particularly in management consulting?
Valador Inc. has a history of securing federal contracts, primarily within the administrative management and general management consulting services categories. Their contract portfolio often includes support for program management, strategic planning, and technical assistance across various government agencies. While specific performance metrics for all contracts are not publicly detailed, their ability to secure and perform on multiple federal awards suggests a level of competence and reliability. Analyzing past performance evaluations, if available, would provide a more granular understanding of their strengths and weaknesses in delivering services similar to those required by NASA's Office of Education.
How does the value of this contract compare to similar management consulting services procured by NASA or other federal agencies?
The total contract value of approximately $18.4 million over six years, averaging around $3 million annually, appears to be within a reasonable range for comprehensive project and program management support. Similar contracts for specialized consulting services within federal agencies often fall within this spending bracket, depending on the scope, duration, and complexity. Factors such as the specific expertise required, the level of strategic involvement, and the number of personnel assigned influence the overall cost. Given that this contract was awarded through full and open competition, it suggests that the pricing was deemed competitive against market rates for comparable services.
What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract structure for NASA?
The primary risk associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract structure is the potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. T&M contracts compensate the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates, plus reimbursement for direct materials and other direct costs. This structure can incentivize longer task durations or less efficient work if the government's oversight is insufficient. NASA's contracting officers and program managers must maintain robust monitoring of labor hours, task progress, and resource utilization to ensure that costs remain reasonable and directly tied to the contract's objectives. Without strong oversight, the total cost could exceed initial estimates.
How effectively did this contract support NASA's strategic goals in education?
This contract was designed to provide crucial project and program management support for special activities within NASA's Office of Education. The services rendered, such as strategic planning for conferences, managing project meetings, and evaluating pilot projects, directly contribute to the execution of NASA's education-related missions. By ensuring efficient management and oversight of these activities, the contract helped align efforts with the NASA Education Strategic Framework. The continuity provided by a long-term contract likely enabled deeper integration and more effective support for ongoing educational initiatives, thereby contributing to the agency's broader outreach and engagement goals.
What were historical spending patterns for similar education support services at NASA prior to this contract?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar education support services at NASA prior to this contract would provide valuable context for assessing its value and necessity. Without specific historical data, it's challenging to determine if this $18.4 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in such services. Understanding past expenditures on project management, strategic planning, and program support for educational initiatives would help identify trends, evaluate the efficiency of previous approaches, and benchmark the current contract's cost-effectiveness against established patterns. This comparison is crucial for demonstrating fiscal responsibility and strategic resource allocation.
What is the potential impact of this contract on interagency collaboration in education initiatives?
This contract explicitly mentions providing support for interagency working groups and special action committees, indicating a direct role in fostering collaboration. By offering project and program management expertise, the contractor helps facilitate communication, coordination, and joint planning among different government entities involved in education. This support can streamline efforts, prevent duplication, and enhance the overall effectiveness of cross-agency initiatives. The success of these collaborative efforts, in turn, can lead to more impactful educational programs and a more unified approach to addressing national education goals.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting 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: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 560 HERNDON PKWY STE 300, HERNDON, VA, 20170
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,417,644
Exercised Options: $18,417,644
Current Obligation: $18,417,644
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNH12CD13Z
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-03-01
Current End Date: 2018-01-31
Potential End Date: 2018-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-11-20
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