NASA awards $71.4M for Space Station robotic arm support, with no competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $71,378,344 ($71.4M)
Contractor: Canadian Commercial Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2008-01-01
End Date: 2012-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $39.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THESE REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE ALL ASPECTS OF SUPPORT FOR BOTH PREVIOUSLY DELIVERED SHUTTLE REMOTE MANIPULATOR SYSTEM (RMS), INSPECTION BOOM ASSEMBLY (IBA), ROBOTIC WORK STATION (RWS) AND BERTHING CUES SYSTEM (BCS) HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS ITEMS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED UNDER THIS CONTRACT. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS ALSO INCLUDE VARIOUS TYPES OF PROGRAM RELATED ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS IN SUPPORT OF THE SHUTTLE AND SPACE STATION PROGRAMS. THE EQUIPMENT COMPRISING THE RMS WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED, DEVELOPED, CERTIFIED, AND FABRICATED BY SPAR AEROSPACE LIMITED [NOW MACDONALD DETTWILER ASSOCIATES (MDA)], UNDER CONTRACT TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT FOR RMS DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION (DDT&E). SUBSEQUENT FOLLOW ON PRODUCTION (FOP) WAS PERFORMED UNDER NASA CONTRACTS NAS 9-15712, NAS 9-18552 AND NAS 9-97220. IN ADDITION TO THE FOLLOW ON PRODUCTION OF REMOTE MANIPULATOR SYSTEMS FOR THE SHUTTLE PROGRAM, CONTRACTS NAS 9 15712, NAS 9 18552, NAS 9-97220 AND NAS 9-03045 PROVIDED FOR THE OVERHAUL AND REPAIR OF RMS HARDWARE, SUSTAINING ENGINEERING FOR THE RMS PROGRAM AND ITS SUPPORT TO THE SHUTTLE PROGRAM, THE REDESIGN OF EXISTING EQUIPMENT, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPLACEMENT HARDWARE AND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT. THE IBA IS THE MDA PROVIDED PORTION OF THE ORBITER BOOM SENSOR SYSTEM (OBSS) WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT ON-ORBIT THERMAL PROTECTION SYSTEM INSPECTION AND REPAIR. THE IBA WAS DESIGNED, DEVELOPED AND MANUFACTURED BY MDA UNDER CONTRACT NAS 9-03045. THE RWS IS THE NASA FUNDED PORTION OF THE SPACE STATION ROBOTICS SYSTEM. THE SPACE STATION ROBOTICS WERE DEVELOPED AS AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM BY SPAR AEROSPACE LIMITED (NOW MDA), WITH THE MOBILE SERVICING SYSTEM (MSS) PORTION OF THE ACTIVITY BEING FUNDED BY THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT. THE RWS WAS DESIGNED, DEVELOPED, MANUFACTURED, AND DELIVERED UNDER CONTRACT NAS 15-10204. THE BCS IS USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SPACE STATION REMOTE MANIPULATOR SYSTEM (SSRMS) TO BERTH PALLETS AND PAYLOADS TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS) COMMON ATTACH SYSTEM BERTHING LOCATIONS. THE BCS WAS DEVELOPED AS AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM, WITHIN EACH CARRIER SYSTEM, BY MDROBOTICS (NOW MDA). THE BCS WAS DESIGNED, DEVELOPED, MANUFACTURED, AND DELIVERED UNDER CONTRACT NAS 9-00089. THE INTENT OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE FOR CONTINUING REQUIRED PROGRAM SUPPORT, SYSTEM EVOLUTION, AND MODIFICATION OF THE EXISTING EQUIPMENT, PLUS THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FINAL DESIGN AND FABRICATION, AND THEREFORE, THE ULTIMATE FLIGHT WORTHINESS OF THE RMS, IBA, RWS, BCS AND OTHER SYSTEM RELATED HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE, AS IT MAY BE DEVELOPED OR MODIFIED AS DIRECTED BY THIS CONTRACT. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL FURNISH ALL RESOURCES AND APPROPRIATE CONTIGUOUS FACILITIES NECESSARY FOR PERFORMANCE OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS STATEMENT OF WORK AND AS DEFINED IN TASK ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THIS CONTRACT. (DRD 37)
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $71.4 million to CANADIAN COMMERCIAL CORPORATION for work described as: THESE REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE ALL ASPECTS OF SUPPORT FOR BOTH PREVIOUSLY DELIVERED SHUTTLE REMOTE MANIPULATOR SYSTEM (RMS), INSPECTION BOOM ASSEMBLY (IBA), ROBOTIC WORK STATION (RWS) AND BERTHING CUES SYSTEM (BCS) HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS ITEMS PRODUCED A… Key points: 1. Contract covers support for Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (RMS) and related hardware/software. 2. Original design by Spar Aerospace (MDA) for Canadian government; follow-on production by NASA. 3. No competition was utilized for this definitive contract. 4. Sector is dominated by large aerospace contractors with specialized capabilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $71.4M over four years for specialized space hardware support is difficult to benchmark without specific performance data. The 'COST NO FEE' (Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee) contract type suggests potential for cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This likely stems from the specialized nature of the equipment and the original manufacturer's intellectual property or unique expertise, potentially limiting price discovery and competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive procurement process.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation and maintenance of critical robotic systems for the International Space Station. Supports ongoing space exploration and research activities reliant on these robotic capabilities. Potential for increased costs to taxpayers due to the absence of competitive bidding.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits price competition.
- Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical systems.
Positive Signals
- Ensures continuity of support for essential space hardware.
- Leverages existing specialized knowledge for complex systems.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on space vehicle parts and auxiliary equipment. Spending in this niche is typically high due to the complexity, R&D, and stringent quality requirements, often involving specialized, non-competitive procurements.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to the Canadian Commercial Corporation, and the original design was by Spar Aerospace (now MDA). Neither are typically considered small businesses. There is no indication of small business subcontracting in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is a definitive contract awarded by NASA, implying standard oversight mechanisms. However, the sole-source nature and cost-plus contract type warrant close monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent potential waste.
Related Government Programs
- Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition may result in inflated costs.
- Cost-plus contract type increases risk of cost overruns.
- Sole-source award raises concerns about market fairness.
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized knowledge.
Tags
other-guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-p, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $71.4 million to CANADIAN COMMERCIAL CORPORATION. THESE REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE ALL ASPECTS OF SUPPORT FOR BOTH PREVIOUSLY DELIVERED SHUTTLE REMOTE MANIPULATOR SYSTEM (RMS), INSPECTION BOOM ASSEMBLY (IBA), ROBOTIC WORK STATION (RWS) AND BERTHING CUES SYSTEM (BCS) HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS ITEMS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED UNDER THIS CONTRACT. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS ALSO INCLUDE VARIOUS TYPES OF PROGRAM RELATED ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS IN SUPPORT OF THE SHUTTLE AND SPACE STATION PROGRAMS. THE EQUIPMENT COMPRISING THE RMS WAS OR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CANADIAN COMMERCIAL CORPORATION.
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 $71.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-01-01. End: 2012-12-31.
What specific performance metrics or deliverables were established to ensure value for money under this sole-source, cost-plus contract?
The provided data does not detail specific performance metrics or deliverables. For a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee contract, value is typically assessed through adherence to the fixed fee, efficient cost management, and meeting technical requirements. Without detailed contract terms, it's difficult to ascertain the precise mechanisms for ensuring value.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, particularly regarding the availability of alternative suppliers or the expiration of intellectual property rights?
The justification for the sole-source award likely relates to the highly specialized nature of the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (RMS) and its associated components, originally developed by a specific entity. NASA may have determined that only the incumbent contractor possessed the unique knowledge, tooling, or proprietary data necessary for continued support, making competition impractical or excessively costly.
How effectively has NASA managed the cost and schedule of this contract, given its cost-plus nature and lack of competition?
The provided data covers the period from 2008 to 2012 and indicates a final award amount of $71.4M. Without access to interim financial reports, cost variances, or schedule performance indices, it's impossible to definitively assess NASA's management effectiveness. The 'COST NO FEE' structure suggests the fee was fixed, but overall cost control would depend on diligent oversight.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Government of Canada (UEI: 241015486)
Address: 50 O'CONNOR ST SUITE 1100, OTTAWA
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $71,378,344
Exercised Options: $71,378,344
Current Obligation: $71,378,344
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-01-01
Current End Date: 2012-12-31
Potential End Date: 2012-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-01-14
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