NASA's $49.2M Safety and Mission Assurance Services Contract Awarded to A-P-T Research, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $49,203,397 ($49.2M)
Contractor: A-P-T Research, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2012-09-01
End Date: 2018-04-30
Contract Duration: 2,067 days
Daily Burn Rate: $23.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF OTHER FUNCTIONS. SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE SUPPORT SERVICES II
Place of Performance
Location: ORLANDO, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32899
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $49.2 million to A-P-T RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF OTHER FUNCTIONS. SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE SUPPORT SERVICES II Key points: 1. Contract value of $49.2 million over its period of performance. 2. A-P-T Research, Inc. secured the contract. 3. The contract falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330). 4. Awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which incentivizes contractor performance. The total value of $49.2 million over approximately 6.5 years suggests a reasonable annual spend for specialized engineering services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process was intended. This method aims to ensure fair pricing and access to a broad range of qualified contractors.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is designed to achieve value for taxpayer money by selecting the most capable offeror at a fair price.
Public Impact
Ensures critical safety and mission assurance for NASA programs. Supports engineering services essential for space exploration and research. A-P-T Research, Inc. provides specialized expertise to the agency. The contract duration spans over 6 years, indicating long-term support.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration is lengthy (2067 days).
- Contract type (CPAF) can lead to higher costs if not managed well.
- Small business participation is not indicated (ss: false, sb: false).
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Focus on critical safety and mission assurance.
- Long-term contract provides stability for services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, which is crucial for government agencies like NASA. Spending in this sector often involves highly specialized expertise and significant investment in research and development.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). There is no specific information provided regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires robust oversight from NASA to ensure performance targets are met and costs are controlled effectively. Regular performance reviews are essential for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lengthy contract duration may lead to scope creep or outdated requirements.
- CPAF contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs effectively.
- No indication of small business participation or subcontracting goals.
- Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' clause.
Tags
engineering-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, fl, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $49.2 million to A-P-T RESEARCH, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF OTHER FUNCTIONS. SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE SUPPORT SERVICES II
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is A-P-T RESEARCH, 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 $49.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-09-01. End: 2018-04-30.
What specific safety and mission assurance functions are covered under this contract, and how do they align with NASA's current and future mission objectives?
The contract covers safety and mission assurance support services, which are critical for the success and safety of NASA's complex space missions. These services likely include risk assessments, systems engineering, quality assurance, and independent verification and validation. Their alignment with NASA's objectives would depend on the specific programs being supported, such as Artemis or ongoing scientific missions, ensuring that all operational and developmental phases meet stringent safety standards.
How does the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure incentivize A-P-T Research, Inc. to achieve optimal performance and cost efficiency for NASA?
The CPAF structure allows the contractor to incur costs plus a negotiated fee, which includes a base fee plus an award amount. The award fee is determined by NASA's evaluation of the contractor's performance against pre-defined criteria. This incentivizes A-P-T Research, Inc. to exceed minimum requirements and deliver high-quality services, as superior performance directly translates to a higher overall fee, while still providing NASA with a mechanism to control costs through performance-based evaluations.
What is the potential impact of the 'exclusion of sources' clause in the full and open competition on the overall competitiveness and final pricing of this contract?
The 'exclusion of sources' clause, while part of a full and open competition, suggests that certain potential sources were intentionally excluded, possibly due to specific technical requirements, security clearances, or prior performance issues. This could limit the pool of bidders compared to a completely unrestricted competition. While aiming for competition, the exclusion might subtly influence the final pricing if the remaining bidders face less direct pressure from a wider array of competitors, though NASA's oversight is intended to mitigate this.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4950 RESEARCH DR, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35805
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Emerging Small Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $54,162,229
Exercised Options: $54,162,229
Current Obligation: $49,203,397
Actual Outlays: $1,657
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-09-01
Current End Date: 2018-04-30
Potential End Date: 2018-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-20
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