NASA's $29.7M contract for institutional safety services awarded to Anadarko Industries, L.L.C

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,696,175 ($29.7M)

Contractor: Anadarko Industries, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2009-07-01

End Date: 2014-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: JOHNSON SPACE CENTER INSTITUTIONAL SAFETY SERVICES (CISS)TO INLCUDE FIRE PROTECTION, SAFETY, MAINTENANCE OF FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS, TRAINING, TEST SAFETY AND SPECIAL PROJECTS.

Place of Performance

Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77058

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $29.7 million to ANADARKO INDUSTRIES, L.L.C. for work described as: JOHNSON SPACE CENTER INSTITUTIONAL SAFETY SERVICES (CISS)TO INLCUDE FIRE PROTECTION, SAFETY, MAINTENANCE OF FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS, TRAINING, TEST SAFETY AND SPECIAL PROJECTS. Key points: 1. The contract value of $29.7 million over five years suggests a significant investment in maintaining critical safety infrastructure. 2. The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' indicates a competitive process, though the exclusion of specific sources warrants further examination. 3. The 'Time and Materials' contract type introduces potential cost variability, requiring robust oversight to manage expenditures effectively. 4. The duration of 1825 days (5 years) allows for sustained service delivery but also necessitates long-term performance monitoring. 5. The contract's focus on fire protection and safety systems is crucial for the operational integrity and personnel well-being at Johnson Space Center. 6. The geographic concentration in Texas (ST: TX, SN: TEXAS) highlights a localized impact for this federal spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $29.7 million over five years for institutional safety services at NASA's Johnson Space Center appears to be within a reasonable range for comprehensive safety and fire protection management. Benchmarking against similar large-scale institutional support contracts would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The 'Time and Materials' pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed, potentially impacting the overall value proposition compared to fixed-price contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded from the bidding process. The exact reasons for this exclusion are not detailed but could impact the breadth of competition and potentially the final pricing. With two bidders identified, the level of competition was limited, which may have influenced price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A limited number of bidders, even after an open competition phase, can sometimes result in higher prices for taxpayers compared to a scenario with numerous competitive offers. The exclusion of sources further complicates the assessment of optimal price discovery.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NASA personnel and facilities at the Johnson Space Center, ensuring a safe working environment. Services delivered include fire protection, maintenance of fire protection systems, safety training, and support for test safety and special projects. The geographic impact is concentrated in Houston, Texas, where the Johnson Space Center is located. Workforce implications include the employment of personnel to deliver these critical safety and maintenance services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Potential for cost escalation due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
  • Limited competition due to exclusion of sources may impact optimal price discovery.
  • Dependence on a single contractor for critical safety functions over a five-year period.

Positive Signals

  • Contract addresses essential safety and fire protection services, crucial for NASA operations.
  • The duration allows for continuity of service and development of specialized expertise.
  • Awarded after a competitive process, indicating some level of vetting.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), specifically focusing on institutional safety and facility maintenance. The market for such services is driven by government and large industrial clients requiring specialized expertise in safety protocols, fire suppression, and system maintenance. Spending in this area is critical for operational continuity and risk mitigation in high-stakes environments like space exploration.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (SB: false) and the contractor, Anadarko Industries, L.L.C., is not explicitly identified as a small business in this context. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a small business set-aside. The focus is on the prime contractor's capabilities for these specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would include performance reviews, adherence to contract terms, and financial reporting. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics and spending breakdowns may be less publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

  • NASA Johnson Space Center Operations Support
  • Federal Fire Protection Services
  • Institutional Maintenance Contracts
  • Aerospace Safety and Security Services

Risk Flags

  • Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
  • Limited competition may affect price discovery.
  • Dependence on contractor performance for critical safety functions.

Tags

engineering-services, nasa, johnson-space-center, texas, definitive-contract, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition-after-exclusion-of-sources, safety-services, fire-protection, institutional-support, large-contract

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $29.7 million to ANADARKO INDUSTRIES, L.L.C.. JOHNSON SPACE CENTER INSTITUTIONAL SAFETY SERVICES (CISS)TO INLCUDE FIRE PROTECTION, SAFETY, MAINTENANCE OF FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS, TRAINING, TEST SAFETY AND SPECIAL PROJECTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ANADARKO INDUSTRIES, L.L.C..

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 $29.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-07-01. End: 2014-06-30.

What is the track record of Anadarko Industries, L.L.C. in performing similar institutional safety and fire protection contracts for federal agencies?

Assessing the track record of Anadarko Industries, L.L.C. requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving institutional safety, fire protection systems maintenance, and training. Information from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) would be crucial. Key indicators to examine include on-time delivery, quality of service, adherence to budget, and any past disputes or contract terminations. A history of successful, similar contract completions would suggest a lower performance risk for this NASA contract. Conversely, a pattern of issues could raise concerns about the contractor's ability to meet the demanding requirements of the Johnson Space Center.

How does the awarded value of $29.7 million compare to similar institutional safety service contracts awarded by NASA or other federal agencies?

To benchmark the $29.7 million contract value, one would compare it against contracts for similar services (e.g., fire protection, safety management, facility maintenance) awarded to other federal agencies or within NASA itself. Factors such as contract duration (5 years), scope of services, geographic location, and the specific requirements of the facility are critical for a fair comparison. For instance, if other agencies are awarding similar five-year contracts for comparable facilities in the range of $5-7 million annually, this $29.7 million contract ($5.94 million annually) appears to be within a reasonable market range. However, if comparable contracts are significantly lower, it might indicate potential overpricing or a broader scope of services in this specific award.

What are the primary risks associated with the 'Time and Materials' (T&M) contract type for this safety services contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk of a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor, plus a fixed fee or நிர்ணயம். This can lead to unpredictable expenditures if not managed diligently. For this NASA contract, risks include inflated labor hours, excessive material costs, or scope creep without adequate justification. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust government oversight, including detailed review of timesheets and invoices, establishing labor hour ceilings, defining clear material cost guidelines, and implementing strong change control processes. Regular performance reviews and audits are essential to ensure the contractor is operating efficiently and within the spirit of the T&M agreement.

What does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation imply for the effectiveness of competition and potential cost savings for taxpayers?

The designation 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' suggests that while the initial solicitation was broadly advertised, certain potential bidders were subsequently excluded from the final competition. The effectiveness of competition hinges on the reasons for exclusion and the number of remaining bidders. If the exclusion was based on objective, justifiable criteria (e.g., lack of specific certifications, past performance issues), and multiple qualified bidders remained, the competition could still be effective. However, if the exclusion significantly narrowed the field or was perceived as arbitrary, it could limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers. The fact that only two bidders were identified suggests the exclusion may have had a substantial impact on the competitive landscape.

How has NASA's spending on institutional safety services at Johnson Space Center evolved over time, and does this contract represent a significant shift?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for institutional safety services at NASA's Johnson Space Center would involve examining contract awards over previous years. Data from FPDS would reveal the total amounts spent, the types of contracts used (e.g., T&M, fixed-price), and the contractors involved. Comparing this $29.7 million, five-year contract to previous spending levels would indicate whether this represents an increase, decrease, or stable investment in these services. A significant shift might be driven by changes in safety regulations, facility upgrades, or evolving mission requirements. Understanding this trend provides context for the current contract's scale and importance.

What are the potential implications of this contract on the small business ecosystem, given it was not a small business set-aside?

Since this contract was not a small business set-aside and the prime contractor is not identified as a small business, its direct impact on the small business ecosystem is limited to potential subcontracting opportunities. The contract's scope, focusing on specialized safety and fire protection services, might not lend itself to extensive subcontracting with small businesses unless specific components or support functions are outsourced. NASA's overall small business goals and utilization plans would be a separate consideration. Without specific subcontracting plans detailed in the award, it's difficult to quantify the direct benefit or impact on small businesses from this particular prime contract.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesArchitectural, Engineering, and Related ServicesEngineering Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPINGHOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: NNJ08239192R

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 17625 EL CAMINO REAL STE 410, HOUSTON, TX, 77058

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,061,561

Exercised Options: $37,061,561

Current Obligation: $29,696,175

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline

Start Date: 2009-07-01

Current End Date: 2014-06-30

Potential End Date: 2020-06-18 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2020-08-06

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