NASA's $181.9M Huntsville Operations Support Contract Awarded to COLSA Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $181,911,679 ($181.9M)
Contractor: Colsa Corp
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2004-01-01
End Date: 2012-03-31
Contract Duration: 3,012 days
Daily Burn Rate: $60.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SUPPORT OF HUNTSVILLE OPERATIONS SPACE CENTER
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35812
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $181.9 million to COLSA CORP for work described as: SUPPORT OF HUNTSVILLE OPERATIONS SPACE CENTER Key points: 1. Contract awarded to COLSA Corp. for extensive support services. 2. Significant value of $181.9M over its duration. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 5. Focus on supporting Huntsville operations for NASA.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's cost-plus-award-fee structure allows for performance incentives. Benchmarking against similar R&D support contracts is necessary to fully assess value, but the competitive award suggests a reasonable price discovery.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a robust process to ensure fair pricing and selection. This method typically leads to better price discovery and value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to yield good value for taxpayers by ensuring fair pricing for essential support services.
Public Impact
Supports critical space exploration and research operations at NASA's Huntsville facility. Ensures continuity of essential services for ongoing scientific and engineering projects. Potential for technological advancements stemming from R&D support. Impacts the local economy in Alabama through contract employment and spending.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Potential for cost overruns with Cost Plus Award Fee structure if not managed tightly.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Long-term contract providing stable support.
- Supports a critical government agency (NASA).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation and national competitiveness, with significant government investment typically seen in aerospace and related fields.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific subcontracting goals or participation by small businesses in this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's oversight would primarily fall under NASA's contracting officers and program managers. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates diligent monitoring of performance and costs to ensure accountability and value.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires diligent oversight.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D contracts.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to changing requirements.
- No explicit mention of small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, al, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $181.9 million to COLSA CORP. SUPPORT OF HUNTSVILLE OPERATIONS SPACE CENTER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COLSA CORP.
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 $181.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-01-01. End: 2012-03-31.
How effectively did the competitive bidding process ensure optimal value for the $181.9M investment in Huntsville operations support?
The use of 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' suggests a strong effort to achieve value. This method allows multiple qualified vendors to bid, fostering competition that typically drives down prices and improves service quality. However, a definitive assessment of value requires comparing the final costs and performance outcomes against pre-defined benchmarks and alternative solutions.
What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure for this long-term R&D support contract?
The main risk with CPAF is the potential for contractor inefficiency or scope creep, as costs are reimbursed and incentives are tied to performance. Without rigorous oversight and clearly defined performance metrics, costs could escalate beyond initial projections. NASA's management of the award fee criteria and continuous monitoring of expenditures are critical to mitigating these risks and ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
To what extent does this contract contribute to NASA's long-term strategic goals in space exploration and scientific advancement?
This contract directly supports NASA's mission by providing essential operational and R&D services at a key facility. Its longevity suggests a sustained need for these capabilities, implying a significant contribution to ongoing and future projects. The specific impact on strategic goals would depend on the nature of the R&D supported and its alignment with NASA's broader objectives, such as advancements in propulsion, materials science, or mission operations.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6726 ODYSSEY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $185,380,651
Exercised Options: $185,380,651
Current Obligation: $181,911,679
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-01-01
Current End Date: 2012-03-31
Potential End Date: 2012-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-08-03
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