NASA awards $13.95M for engineering support, but competition was limited
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,950,938 ($14.0M)
Contractor: Dynamic Concepts LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2008-09-29
End Date: 2014-12-12
Contract Duration: 2,265 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Sector: Other
Official Description: STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING ANALYSIS SUPPORT FOR THE SPACECRAFT & VEHICLE SYSTEMS (EV) AND THE PROPULSION SYSTEMS (ER) DEPARTMENTS IN THE ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $14.0 million to DYNAMIC CONCEPTS LLC for work described as: STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING ANALYSIS SUPPORT FOR THE SPACECRAFT & VEHICLE SYSTEMS (EV) AND THE PROPULSION SYSTEMS (ER) DEPARTMENTS IN THE ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies. 2. Long contract duration of over 6 years suggests a need for sustained services. 3. Services provided to critical spacecraft and propulsion systems highlight the contract's importance. 4. Geographic concentration in Alabama for a federal contract of this nature. 5. No small business set-aside, indicating potential missed opportunities for smaller firms.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $13.95 million over approximately 6 years for engineering support services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. However, without competitive bidding, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing against market rates or identify potential cost savings. The lack of competition means that value for money cannot be definitively assessed, but the sustained award over a long period suggests the agency found the services necessary and satisfactory.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning that only one contractor, Dynamic Concepts LLC, was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves multiple vendors vying for the contract. While sole-source awards can be justified in specific circumstances (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent needs), they limit price discovery and may not result in the most cost-effective outcome for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition means taxpayers may not have received the benefit of lower prices that could have resulted from a bidding process. This could translate to higher overall spending for the services rendered.
Public Impact
The Engineering Directorate at NASA benefits from specialized structural engineering analysis support. Services are critical for the Spacecraft & Vehicle Systems (EV) and Propulsion Systems (ER) departments. The contract supports advanced aerospace research and development activities. Workforce implications are likely within specialized engineering fields, potentially in Alabama.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits price competition and potential taxpayer savings.
- Lack of small business participation may exclude smaller, innovative firms.
- Long contract duration without clear performance metrics could mask inefficiencies.
Positive Signals
- Sustained award over many years suggests contractor reliability and agency satisfaction.
- Focus on critical engineering functions for spacecraft and propulsion systems indicates high-value support.
- Contracting through a BPA Call implies an existing framework for efficient procurement.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting aerospace engineering. The market for such specialized services is often characterized by a limited number of highly qualified firms. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for its mission success, and contracts like this are typical for providing the deep technical expertise required for complex space missions. Benchmarking would ideally involve comparing to similar sole-source or competitively awarded engineering support contracts within the aerospace industry.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, Dynamic Concepts LLC, was selected without specific provisions to involve smaller enterprises. Consequently, this contract may not have directly contributed to the small business ecosystem or provided opportunities for small business innovation in this specialized engineering domain.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of NASA's Engineering Directorate and its contracting officers. As a sole-source award, the justification and terms would be subject to review. Transparency is limited due to the lack of a competitive process. While specific Inspector General (IG) involvement isn't detailed, the NASA OIG has broad jurisdiction over agency contracts to ensure efficiency and prevent fraud.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Engineering Support Services
- Aerospace Engineering Contracts
- Spacecraft Systems Development
- Propulsion Systems Engineering
- Sole-Source Engineering Services
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost overruns due to lack of bidding
Tags
engineering-services, nasa, alabama, sole-source, large-contract, aerospace, structural-engineering, vehicle-systems, propulsion-systems, bpa-call
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $14.0 million to DYNAMIC CONCEPTS LLC. STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING ANALYSIS SUPPORT FOR THE SPACECRAFT & VEHICLE SYSTEMS (EV) AND THE PROPULSION SYSTEMS (ER) DEPARTMENTS IN THE ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DYNAMIC CONCEPTS LLC.
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 $14.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-09-29. End: 2014-12-12.
What is the track record of Dynamic Concepts LLC in securing government contracts, particularly with NASA?
Dynamic Concepts LLC has a history of securing government contracts, primarily within the engineering and technical services domain. While specific details on their entire contract portfolio are not provided here, their award for this significant NASA contract indicates a recognized capability in structural engineering analysis. Further analysis would involve examining their past performance ratings, the types and values of previous contracts, and any history of contract disputes or awards.
How does the value of this contract compare to similar engineering support contracts awarded by NASA or other agencies?
Benchmarking this $13.95 million contract is challenging due to its sole-source nature and specialized focus. Competitively awarded contracts for similar engineering analysis support might reveal a lower per-unit cost or a more favorable overall value proposition. However, the long duration (over 6 years) and the critical nature of supporting spacecraft and propulsion systems suggest that NASA deemed this value appropriate for the required expertise. A comprehensive comparison would require access to detailed data on comparable contracts, including scope, duration, and competition level.
What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical engineering services?
The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical engineering services include a lack of price competition, potentially leading to inflated costs for taxpayers. There's also a risk of reduced innovation, as the absence of multiple bidders can lessen the incentive for contractors to offer novel solutions or efficiencies. Furthermore, over-reliance on a single provider can create vendor lock-in and make it difficult to switch if performance issues arise or if market conditions change, potentially impacting program continuity and cost-effectiveness.
How effective has Dynamic Concepts LLC been in delivering the structural engineering analysis support as per the contract's objectives?
Assessing the effectiveness of Dynamic Concepts LLC in delivering the specified structural engineering analysis support requires access to performance reports, client feedback, and project outcomes. Given the contract's long duration (2008-2014), it implies a level of sustained performance that met NASA's needs. However, without specific performance metrics or independent evaluations, a definitive judgment on effectiveness cannot be made. NASA's continued reliance on this contractor, even if sole-source, suggests a baseline level of satisfaction with their service delivery.
What are the historical spending patterns for structural engineering analysis support at NASA, and how does this contract fit in?
Historical spending patterns for structural engineering analysis support at NASA would reveal the agency's consistent investment in this area due to the inherent complexities and risks in space exploration. This $13.95 million contract, awarded over a period of approximately six years, represents a significant but likely typical investment for specialized engineering support for critical departments like spacecraft and propulsion systems. Understanding broader trends would involve analyzing spending across different directorates and over longer timeframes to identify any increases or decreases in demand for such services.
What is the justification for awarding this contract as sole-source rather than through full and open competition?
The justification for awarding this contract as sole-source is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required services. This could be due to unique technical expertise, proprietary technology, or specific circumstances where competition is not feasible or not in the government's best interest. Without the official justification document, it remains speculative, but it implies that NASA determined Dynamic Concepts LLC possessed specific, non-replicable qualifications for this role.
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: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6700 ODYSSEY DR NW # 202, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,738,643
Exercised Options: $14,000,646
Current Obligation: $13,950,938
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNM08AA04Z
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-09-29
Current End Date: 2014-12-12
Potential End Date: 2014-12-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-10-31
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