NASA's $257M Facilities Support Contract Awarded to Amentum Technology, Inc. for LARC Operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $257,101,922 ($257.1M)

Contractor: Amentum Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2014-02-01

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 4,563 days

Daily Burn Rate: $56.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF THIS "TASK ORDER" HAS BEEN CREATED IN THE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT MODULE (CMM) SYSTEM FOR FUNDING PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT AN ACTUAL TASK ORDER WITH A STATEMENT OF WORK AND OTHER TASK ORDER REQUIREMENTS. THIS "TASK ORDER" HAS BEEN CREATED FOR FUNDING OBLIGATIONS ONLY AND TO ACCOUNT FOR CMM AND SAP FINANCIAL SYSTEM FUNCTIONALITY. THIS "TASK ORDER" IS TO FUND NNL13AA14C CLIN 2 (OPERATIONS). CENTER MAINTENANCE, OPERATIONS, AND ENGINEERING (CMOE) CONTRACT. REQUIREMENT FOR THE MAINTENANCE, OPERATIONS, AND ENGINEERING OF LARC'S INSTITUTIONAL FACILITIES AND HIGHLY TECHNICAL RESEARCH FACILITIES FOR MISSION SUCCESS. THE CMOE CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE CORE SUPPORT SERVICES TO LARC IN THE AREAS OF INSTITUTIONAL AND RESEARCH OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, AND ENGINEERING (OME). THESE TECHNICAL SERVICES INCLUDE: RESEARCH FACILITIES OPERATIONS (E.G., HIGHLY SPECIALIZED WIND TUNNELS, LABORATORIES, TEST STANDS, INSTRUMENTATION CALIBRATION/REPAIR); CENTRAL UTILITIES OPERATIONS (E.G., STEAM, COMPRESSED AIR, ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION, POTABLE WATER); TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT/ADMINISTRATION (E.G., FACILITY AUTOMATION SYSTEMS [FAS], DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS [DAS]); RESEARCH AND INSTITUTIONAL FACILITY MAINTENANCE (E.G., PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, TROUBLE CALLS, RELIABILITY CENTERED MAINTENANCE [RCM], FACILITY CONDITION ASSESSMENT [FCA]); AND FACILITY ENGINEERING (E.G., DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT, TACTICAL ENGINEERING, PRESSURE SYSTEM RECERTIFICATION, PROJECT MANAGEMENT/PLANNING SUPPORT).

Place of Performance

Location: HAMPTON, HAMPTON CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23681

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $257.1 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF THIS "TASK ORDER" HAS BEEN CREATED IN THE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT MODULE (CMM) SYSTEM FOR FUNDING PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT AN ACTUAL TASK ORDER WITH A STATEMENT OF WORK AND OTHER TASK ORDER REQUIREMENTS. THIS "TASK ORDER" HAS BEEN CREATED FOR FUNDING OBLIGATIONS ONLY AN… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential maintenance, operations, and engineering for NASA's Langley Research Center (LaRC) facilities. 2. Amentum Technology, Inc. secured this significant contract, indicating a strong position in the facilities support services sector. 3. The contract's duration of over 12 years suggests a long-term need for these critical support services. 4. Awarded under full and open competition, this contract likely benefited from competitive pricing and a wide range of potential bidders. 5. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPA) structure incentivizes contractor performance while allowing for flexibility in managing costs. 6. This contract represents a substantial investment in maintaining the infrastructure necessary for advanced research and development.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $257 million over approximately 12 years for facilities support services at a major research center appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar large-scale facilities maintenance and operations contracts at federal research institutions would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPA) structure allows for performance-based incentives, which can drive efficiency and quality, but also requires robust oversight to ensure costs remain controlled and justified. Without specific performance metrics and award fee payouts, a definitive assessment of cost-effectiveness is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple companies had the opportunity to bid. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation implies a robust bidding process that likely led to a well-vetted selection and a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and a wider selection of qualified contractors, leading to better value for their investment.

Public Impact

NASA's Langley Research Center (LaRC) benefits through the reliable maintenance and operation of its critical research and institutional facilities. The contract ensures the continued functionality of highly technical research facilities, supporting NASA's mission success. Services encompass institutional and research operations, maintenance, and engineering, covering a broad spectrum of facility needs. The geographic impact is concentrated at LaRC in Hampton, Virginia, supporting a key federal research hub. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for personnel skilled in facilities management, engineering, and technical support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

• Potential for cost overruns in a Cost Plus Award Fee contract if performance incentives are not carefully managed and monitored.
• Ensuring consistent and high-quality service delivery across all aspects of maintenance, operations, and engineering over the long contract term.
• Dependence on a single contractor for critical facility operations could pose a risk if performance issues arise or if the contractor faces financial instability.

Positive Signals

• Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that likely secured a fair price.
• The long contract duration indicates a stable, long-term partnership for essential services, providing continuity for NASA's operations.
• The Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivizes contractor performance, potentially leading to higher quality service delivery.
• Amentum Technology, Inc. is an established contractor in the federal space, suggesting experience and capability in managing large contracts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, a critical component of government operations that ensures the functionality of federal buildings and research infrastructure. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561210 (Facilities Support Services) encompasses a broad range of services including building operation and maintenance, groundskeeping, and security. Spending in this sector is substantial across federal agencies, supporting everything from office buildings to highly specialized research laboratories like those at NASA's LaRC. This contract represents a significant portion of spending within this niche for NASA.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large prime contract awarded through full and open competition, it is unlikely to have significant direct subcontracting opportunities specifically mandated for small businesses, although the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests the primary focus was on securing the best overall value from a broad competitive field, rather than specifically fostering small business participation at the prime contract level.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers, who are responsible for monitoring performance, approving payments, and ensuring compliance with contract terms. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPA) structure necessitates robust oversight to evaluate performance against established criteria and determine award fee amounts. Transparency is facilitated through contract reporting mechanisms, and while specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction isn't detailed here, the NASA OIG would have oversight authority over potential fraud, waste, and abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

• NASA Facilities Maintenance Contracts
• Research Center Operations Support
• Federal Facilities Management Services
• Cost Plus Award Fee Contracts
• Large-Scale Government Service Contracts

Risk Flags

• Long-term contract duration may reduce future competition opportunities.
• Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
• Dependence on a single contractor for critical infrastructure.

Tags

facilities-support-services, nasa, amentum-technology-inc, langley-research-center, cost-plus-award-fee, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, operations-maintenance-engineering, research-and-development, virginia, large-contract

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $257.1 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC.. IGF::CT::IGF THIS "TASK ORDER" HAS BEEN CREATED IN THE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT MODULE (CMM) SYSTEM FOR FUNDING PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT AN ACTUAL TASK ORDER WITH A STATEMENT OF WORK AND OTHER TASK ORDER REQUIREMENTS. THIS "TASK ORDER" HAS BEEN CREATED FOR FUNDING OBLIGATIONS ONLY AND TO ACCOUNT FOR CMM AND SAP FINANCIAL SYSTEM FUNCTIONALITY. THIS "TASK ORDER" IS TO FUND NNL13AA14C CLIN 2 (OPERATIONS). CENTER MAINTENANCE, OPERATIONS, AND ENGINEERING (CMOE) CONTRACT. REQUIREMENT FOR THE MAINTENANCE

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 $257.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-02-01. End: 2026-07-31.

What is Amentum Technology, Inc.'s track record with NASA and similar federal agencies for facilities support services?

Amentum Technology, Inc. (formerly URS Federal Services and AECOM Management Services) has a significant history of performing large-scale facilities support, operations, and maintenance contracts for various federal agencies, including NASA. They have managed complex operations at research centers and military installations. Their experience often includes providing a comprehensive suite of services similar to those required under this contract, such as infrastructure maintenance, engineering support, and operational services. NASA has previously awarded substantial contracts to Amentum and its predecessors for similar functions at other centers. A review of past performance evaluations and contract awards would provide a detailed understanding of their reliability, technical capabilities, and past success in meeting performance requirements and managing costs within similar contract vehicles.

How does the awarded value of $257 million compare to similar facilities support contracts at other NASA centers or comparable federal research facilities?

The $257 million value over approximately 12.5 years (February 2014 to July 2026) equates to an average annual value of roughly $20.5 million. This figure appears to be within the expected range for comprehensive facilities support services at a major federal research center like NASA's Langley Research Center. For context, similar contracts at other NASA centers (e.g., Johnson Space Center, Kennedy Space Center) or Department of Energy national laboratories often range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars over similar durations, depending on the size and complexity of the facilities managed. Factors influencing the value include the square footage of buildings, the criticality of research equipment, the scope of engineering and maintenance required, and the level of operational support. This contract's value suggests a substantial scope of work commensurate with a large research campus.

What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Award Fee (CPA) contract structure for NASA?

The primary risks associated with a CPA contract structure for NASA revolve around cost control and performance management. While CPA incentivizes performance by offering award fees for exceeding requirements, it also carries the risk of cost growth if the base fee is too high or if the award fee criteria are not sufficiently stringent or well-defined. NASA must diligently monitor the contractor's performance against objective metrics to ensure that award fees are earned appropriately and that costs remain reasonable and allocable. There's also a risk that the contractor might focus excessively on achieving award fee targets at the expense of other critical, but less incentivized, aspects of the contract. Effective oversight and clear communication are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives optimal value.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach likely to be in ensuring value for money for this facilities support contract?

The 'full and open competition' approach is generally considered highly effective in ensuring value for money for large, complex service contracts like this facilities support agreement. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, NASA maximizes the pool of potential contractors, fostering robust competition. This competitive pressure typically drives down prices and encourages offerors to propose innovative and efficient solutions to meet the government's requirements. A well-defined Statement of Work (SOW) and clear evaluation criteria are essential to ensure that the lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) or best value trade-off selection process accurately identifies the offer that provides the greatest overall value to the government, balancing cost with technical merit and past performance.

What are the historical spending patterns for facilities support services at NASA's Langley Research Center?

Historical spending patterns for facilities support services at NASA's Langley Research Center (LaRC) would likely show a consistent need for significant investment in maintaining its research and institutional infrastructure. Prior to this $257 million contract awarded in 2014, LaRC would have had previous contracts, potentially with different contractors or through different contract vehicles, to cover similar maintenance, operations, and engineering functions. These historical expenditures would reflect the ongoing costs associated with managing a large, complex research campus, including utilities, repairs, upgrades, and specialized technical support. Analyzing past spending levels would help establish a baseline for current costs and identify any trends in investment or potential efficiencies gained over time.

What are the implications of the contract's long duration (over 12 years) for service continuity and potential contractor lock-in?

The long duration of this contract, spanning over 12 years, offers significant benefits in terms of service continuity and stability for NASA's Langley Research Center. It allows the contractor, Amentum Technology, Inc., to invest in specialized equipment, personnel training, and process improvements, knowing there is a stable demand for their services. This continuity is crucial for maintaining critical research facilities without interruption. However, such long-term contracts can also raise concerns about potential contractor lock-in, where the incumbent contractor may have an advantage in future re-competes due to established knowledge and infrastructure. NASA must ensure robust performance management and market research throughout the contract's life to maintain leverage and prepare for future procurement actions effectively.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: NNL13458016R

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: $270,594,327

Exercised Options: $270,594,327

Current Obligation: $257,101,922

Actual Outlays: $154,777,504

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 55

Total Subaward Amount: $3,828,267

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNL13AA14C

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2014-02-01

Current End Date: 2026-07-31

Potential End Date: 2026-07-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-04-01

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