NASA's TOSC Contract: $2.1B for KSC Support, Awarded via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,099,373,525 ($2.1B)
Contractor: Amentum Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2013-03-01
End Date: 2023-04-30
Contract Duration: 3,712 days
Daily Burn Rate: $565.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF THE TEST AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT CONTRACT (TOSC) IS A COST-PLUS-AWARD-FEE CONTRACT WITH AN INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY TASK ORDERING PROVISION. TOSC PROVIDES A PROCESSING CONTRACT FOR THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER (KSC) SUPPORTING MULTIPLE CUSTOMERS. THE SCOPE OF THIS CONTRACT INCLUDES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL; SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE; INFORMATION MANAGEMENT; PROCESSING SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND INTEGRATION; FLIGHT HARDWARE PROCESSING; GROUND SYSTEMS OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE AND SUSTAINING ENGINEERING; LOGISTICS AND SPACEPORT SERVICES. TOSC PROVIDES OVERALL MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GROUND SYSTEMS CAPABILITIES, FLIGHT HARDWARE PROCESSING AND LAUNCH OPERATIONS AT KSC IN FLORIDA. THESE TASKS WILL SUPPORT THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, GROUND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS, AND THE SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM, ORION MULTI-PURPOSE CREW VEHICLE AND LAUNCH SERVICES PROGRAMS. TOSC ALSO PROVIDES GROUND PROCESSING FOR LAUNCH VEHICLES, SPACECRAFT AND PAYLOADS IN SUPPORT OF EMERGING PROGRAMS, COMMERCIAL ENTITIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AS DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNMENT. SERVICES INCLUDE ADVANCED PLANNING AND SPECIAL STUDIES; DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGNATED GROUND SYSTEMS; OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF FLIGHT HARDWARE AND GROUND SYSTEMS; SPACECRAFT, PAYLOAD, AND LAUNCH VEHICLE SERVICING AND PROCESSING; GROUND SYSTEMS SERVICES; AND LOGISTICS AND OTHER PROCESSING SUPPORT SERVICES. FLIGHT HARDWARE PROCESSING AND SERVICING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ASSEMBLY, INTEGRATION, CHECKOUT, AND DEPOT-LEVEL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR. LAUNCH VEHICLE AND SPACECRAFT OPERATIONS INCLUDE ADVANCED PLANNING, ELEMENT PROCESSING, INTEGRATION, TEST, LAUNCH AND RECOVERY SERVICES. GROUND SYSTEMS SERVICES INCLUDE OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE AND VALIDATION OF ASSOCIATED GROUND SYSTEMS AND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT NECESSARY FOR HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT AND EXPLORATION. CONTRACT ACTIVITIES WILL BE PERFORMED IN THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MANNER SUPPORTING THE GOVERNMENT S PRIORITIES FOR SAFETY, MISSION SUCCESS, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND INNOVATION WHILE MAINTAINING FLEXIBILITY AND RESPONSIVENESS TO CHANGING REQUIREMENTS. WITH THE AWARD OF THIS CONTRACT, KSC IS POSITIONING ITSELF FOR THE NEXT ERA OF SPACE EXPLORATION. KSC IS TRANSITIONING TO A 21ST-CENTURY LAUNCH FACILITY WITH MULTIPLE USERS, BOTH PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT. A DYNAMIC INFRASTRUCTURE IS TAKING SHAPE, DESIGNED TO HOST MANY KINDS OF SPACECRAFT AND ROCKETS SENDING PEOPLE ON AMERICA'S NEXT VOYAGES IN SPACE.
Place of Performance
Location: ORLANDO, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32899
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.10 billion to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF THE TEST AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT CONTRACT (TOSC) IS A COST-PLUS-AWARD-FEE CONTRACT WITH AN INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY TASK ORDERING PROVISION. TOSC PROVIDES A PROCESSING CONTRACT FOR THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER (KSC) SUPPORTING MULTIPLE CUSTOMERS. THE SCOPE … Key points: 1. The TOSC contract is a significant investment in Kennedy Space Center's ground systems and flight hardware processing. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, it suggests a competitive bidding process for these critical spaceport services. 3. The contract's cost-plus-award-fee structure incentivizes performance but requires careful oversight to manage costs. 4. The broad scope covers program management, safety, IT, and logistics, indicating a comprehensive support role.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.1 billion over its life is substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale, multi-faceted support contracts for major federal facilities is complex, but the award fee structure suggests a focus on achieving specific performance targets.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders participated. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.
Public Impact
Supports critical NASA missions, including the International Space Station, by ensuring robust ground systems and hardware processing. The contract's duration and scope imply a long-term commitment to maintaining and advancing spaceport capabilities at KSC. Provides essential services that underpin the success of space launches and ongoing space exploration efforts.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus-award-fee structure requires diligent monitoring to ensure cost control and prevent overruns.
- The broad scope could lead to scope creep if not managed effectively.
- Reliance on a single contractor for such critical infrastructure poses a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
- The contract aims to provide comprehensive support for KSC operations.
- Performance incentives are built into the award fee structure.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The significant value suggests it supports large-scale, complex operations typical of major federal research and development facilities like KSC, rather than pure R&D projects.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Analysis of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would be necessary to determine their involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The cost-plus-award-fee structure necessitates robust oversight from NASA to ensure contractor performance meets objectives and costs remain controlled. Regular audits and performance reviews are crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Cost-Plus-Award-Fee structure.
- Risk of contractor prioritizing award fee achievement over broader mission objectives.
- Dependency on a single contractor for critical spaceport operations.
- Lack of small business participation noted in prime contract award.
- Broad scope increases potential for scope creep if not managed diligently.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, fl, definitive-contract, billion-dollar
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.10 billion to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF THE TEST AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT CONTRACT (TOSC) IS A COST-PLUS-AWARD-FEE CONTRACT WITH AN INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY TASK ORDERING PROVISION. TOSC PROVIDES A PROCESSING CONTRACT FOR THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER (KSC) SUPPORTING MULTIPLE CUSTOMERS. THE SCOPE OF THIS CONTRACT INCLUDES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL; SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE; INFORMATION MANAGEMENT; PROCESSING SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND INTEGRATION; FLIGHT HARDWARE PROCESSING; GROUND SYSTEMS OPERATIONS, MAINTENAN
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 $2.10 billion.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-03-01. End: 2023-04-30.
How does the performance of Amentum Technology, Inc. on this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar support services, and what impact does the award fee structure have on achieving optima
Assessing performance against industry benchmarks requires detailed metrics not present in the provided data. However, the award fee structure is designed to incentivize meeting or exceeding specific performance targets. NASA's oversight would focus on ensuring these targets are met cost-effectively. If performance consistently earns high award fees, it suggests good value; conversely, low award fees would indicate potential issues with performance or cost efficiency.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost-Plus-Award-Fee contract of this magnitude, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
The primary risks include potential cost overruns if the 'cost-plus' element is not tightly managed, and the possibility of the contractor focusing on earning award fees rather than overall mission success. Mitigation strategies typically involve stringent government oversight, detailed performance metrics, clear definition of award fee criteria, and regular audits to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable.
Given the critical nature of KSC operations, what is the contingency plan if Amentum Technology, Inc. fails to meet its contractual obligations under the TOSC contract?
Contingency plans for critical contracts like TOSC usually involve pre-defined steps for performance deficiencies, including corrective action requests and potential penalties. In severe cases of non-performance, NASA would have mechanisms to transition services to another contractor or bring them in-house, though this is a complex and disruptive process. The contract's indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity nature might allow for task order adjustments or the issuance of new task orders to other entities if necessary.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNK12403225R
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, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,107,162,688
Exercised Options: $2,107,162,688
Current Obligation: $2,099,373,525
Actual Outlays: $1,138,246,605
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1373
Total Subaward Amount: $12,337,006,891
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-03-01
Current End Date: 2023-04-30
Potential End Date: 2023-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-01-30
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