NASA's $179M Test and Evaluation Contract Awarded to Amentum Technology, Inc. for WSTF Mission
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $178,876,188 ($178.9M)
Contractor: Amentum Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2006-05-01
End Date: 2011-04-30
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $98.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TEST AND EVALUATION CONTRACT PRIMARY MISSION OF WSTF INCLUDING MATERIALS COMPONENTS TESTING
Place of Performance
Location: LAS CRUCES, DONA ANA County, NEW MEXICO, 88004
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $178.9 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: TEST AND EVALUATION CONTRACT PRIMARY MISSION OF WSTF INCLUDING MATERIALS COMPONENTS TESTING Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical materials and components testing for the White Sands Test Facility (WSTF). 2. Amentum Technology, Inc. secured this significant award, indicating strong performance or competitive advantage. 3. The contract duration of 5 years suggests a long-term need for these specialized services. 4. Primary mission support for WSTF is a key indicator of the contract's strategic importance.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $178.9M over 5 years for R&D services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of WSTF's testing requirements. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D contracts would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally maximizes taxpayer value by ensuring the government receives the best possible price for services rendered.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operational capability for critical space and defense testing at WSTF. Supports advanced research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Maintains a vital government testing infrastructure for national security and space exploration programs. Provides stable employment and economic activity in New Mexico.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in Cost Plus Award Fee contracts if performance incentives are not carefully managed.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical testing services could pose a risk if performance degrades.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
- Long contract duration suggests a stable and ongoing need for these essential services.
- Contract supports a critical national facility (WSTF) with significant research and development objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement and national security, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific research domain and scale.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which has established oversight mechanisms for its major contracts. The 'Cost Plus Award Fee' structure implies performance metrics that are subject to review and potential award adjustments.
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 contract type can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly.
- Long-term reliance on a single contractor for critical testing functions.
- Potential for scope creep if testing requirements evolve significantly beyond initial contract parameters.
- Limited visibility into subcontractor performance without specific reporting requirements.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, nm, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $178.9 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC.. TEST AND EVALUATION CONTRACT PRIMARY MISSION OF WSTF INCLUDING MATERIALS COMPONENTS TESTING
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, 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 $178.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-05-01. End: 2011-04-30.
What specific materials and components are tested under this contract, and how do these testing capabilities align with current and future NASA missions?
This contract primarily supports the White Sands Test Facility's (WSTF) mission, which includes testing hazardous materials, energetic components, and propulsion systems for spacecraft and missile programs. These capabilities are crucial for ensuring the safety and reliability of NASA's exploratory missions, such as Artemis, and for supporting national defense initiatives by validating the performance of critical aerospace hardware.
How does the performance of Amentum Technology, Inc. on this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar R&D and testing services, particularly concerning cost efficiency and technical executi
Assessing Amentum's performance requires access to detailed contract performance reports and award fee determinations. However, the 'Cost Plus Award Fee' structure suggests that performance is actively monitored against defined metrics. Benchmarking would involve comparing their cost per test, turnaround times, and success rates in identifying material flaws against other government-contracted R&D facilities and private sector testing labs.
What are the potential long-term implications of this contract's focus on WSTF's primary mission for the broader aerospace R&D ecosystem and potential future technological advancements?
This contract ensures the continued operation and advancement of WSTF's unique testing capabilities, which are vital for developing and certifying next-generation aerospace technologies. By maintaining this specialized infrastructure, it supports innovation in areas like advanced propulsion, materials science, and space systems safety. This, in turn, fosters a robust R&D ecosystem and provides a foundation for future breakthroughs in space exploration and national security.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Pae-Parsons Global Logistics Services, LLC
Address: 600 WILLIAM NORTHERN BLVD, TULLAHOMA, TN, 37388
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $270,899,316
Exercised Options: $270,899,316
Current Obligation: $178,876,188
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-05-01
Current End Date: 2011-04-30
Potential End Date: 2011-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-04
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