NASA's $1.7B Mission Integration Contract Awarded to Barrios Technology, LLC Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $169,974,243 ($170.0M)
Contractor: Barrios Technology, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2004-01-01
End Date: 2010-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,464 days
Daily Burn Rate: $69.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MISSION INTEGRATION CONTRACT
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77058
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $170.0 million to BARRIOS TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: MISSION INTEGRATION CONTRACT Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $1.7 billion, focuses on Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Barrios Technology, LLC secured the award through full and open competition after excluding sources, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which incentivizes contractor performance while managing costs. 4. This significant award highlights investment in advanced R&D within the aerospace sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's value of $1.7 billion over its duration suggests a substantial investment. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D contracts is difficult without more specific service details, but the award amount indicates a significant scope of work.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This implies that multiple sources were considered, but specific exclusions were made, potentially based on prior performance or specialized capabilities. The competitive nature should drive price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for critical research and development activities.
Public Impact
Supports critical NASA missions requiring advanced research and engineering. Potential for technological advancements with broad applications beyond aerospace. Job creation and economic impact in the Texas region. Long-term investment in national scientific and technological capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
- Complexity of integrating diverse research and development efforts.
- Dependence on a single prime contractor for mission-critical integration.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Focus on high-impact R&D.
- Long contract duration allows for sustained development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541710. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation and technological advancement, with government contracts often driving significant breakthroughs.
Small Business Impact
While the prime contractor is Barrios Technology, LLC, the contract details do not specify the extent of small business participation. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were adequately provided to small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's duration and value necessitate robust oversight from NASA to ensure performance, cost control, and adherence to research objectives. Award Fee structures require clear performance metrics and monitoring.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly.
- Potential for scope creep in long-term R&D contracts.
- Dependence on a single entity for critical mission integration.
- Complexity of managing diverse R&D projects under one contract.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, tx, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $170.0 million to BARRIOS TECHNOLOGY, LLC. MISSION INTEGRATION CONTRACT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BARRIOS TECHNOLOGY, LLC.
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 $170.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-01-01. End: 2010-09-30.
What specific research and development areas are prioritized under this contract, and how do they align with NASA's strategic goals?
The contract focuses on 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.' While specific priorities aren't detailed, it's understood to support NASA's broader mission objectives, which typically include space exploration, aeronautics research, and scientific discovery. Alignment would be assessed by NASA's program managers based on project milestones and contributions to agency-wide goals.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to determine the award fee for Barrios Technology, LLC?
The award fee structure implies that Barrios Technology, LLC's performance is evaluated against specific, measurable criteria. These KPIs likely relate to technical achievement, schedule adherence, cost management, and overall contribution to mission success. NASA would have established these metrics upfront, with regular reviews to determine the fee awarded.
How does the 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition impact the potential for innovation and cost-effectiveness?
Excluding certain sources, while potentially ensuring a known or specialized capability, could limit the breadth of innovative approaches and competitive pressure. If exclusions were based on factors other than essential qualifications, it might reduce price discovery. However, if exclusions were justified by unique expertise vital for mission integration, it could be necessary for achieving specific technical outcomes.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 9BG79278P
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2525 BAY AREA BLVD., SUITE 300, HOUSTON, TX, 77058
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $176,914,498
Exercised Options: $175,426,851
Current Obligation: $169,974,243
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-01-01
Current End Date: 2010-09-30
Potential End Date: 2010-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-08-30
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