NASA's $127.6M HOSC Contract for Space Program Support Awarded to COLSA Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $127,565,549 ($127.6M)
Contractor: Colsa Corp
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2012-04-01
End Date: 2017-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $69.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: HUNTSVILLE OPERATIONS SUPPPORT CENTER (HOSC) SERVICES CONTRACT. THE HUNTSVILLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER (HOSC) CONTRACT SPECIFIES TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE WORK NEEDED TO ENSURE THE AVAILABILITY, INTEGRITY, AND RELIABILITY OF MISSION GROUND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) SPACE PROGRAMS. THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES SINGLE OR MULTI-PROGRAM UNIQUE FACILITIES, SYSTEMS, AND SERVICES, BOTH LOCAL AND REMOTE TO MSFC, SUPPORTING NASA SPACECRAFT, PAYLOAD, SATELLITE, AND PROPULSION SYSTEMS OPERATIONS. THE CONTRACT PROVIDES CROSS UTILIZATION OF RESOURCES ACROSS PROGRAMS AND SEAMLESS OPERATIONS SUPPORT FOR MULTIPLE PROGRAMS.
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35812
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $127.6 million to COLSA CORP for work described as: HUNTSVILLE OPERATIONS SUPPPORT CENTER (HOSC) SERVICES CONTRACT. THE HUNTSVILLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER (HOSC) CONTRACT SPECIFIES TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE WORK NEEDED TO ENSURE THE AVAILABILITY, INTEGRITY, AND RELIABILITY OF MISSION GROUND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND… Key points: 1. The contract supports critical NASA space programs with technical, managerial, and administrative services. 2. COLSA Corp. holds the contract, which spans over five years. 3. The contract aims to ensure the availability, integrity, and reliability of mission ground systems. 4. It provides unique facilities, systems, and services for spacecraft, payload, satellite, and propulsion systems operations. 5. The contract facilitates cross-utilization of resources and seamless operations support across multiple NASA programs.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's cost-plus-award-fee structure incentivizes performance. Benchmarking against similar R&D support contracts is difficult without more granular cost data, but the total value over five years appears reasonable for the scope of services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggesting a specific justification for limiting the pool. This method may impact price discovery compared to unrestricted full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for essential space program support, with the contract aiming for efficient and reliable operations.
Public Impact
Ensures continuity and reliability of vital NASA space missions. Supports advanced research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Contributes to the operational success of national space programs. Provides essential infrastructure and services for critical space operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition method could potentially lead to higher costs.
- Lack of detailed cost breakdowns makes precise value assessment challenging.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical national space programs.
- Focuses on ensuring system reliability and integrity.
- Award fee structure incentivizes contractor performance.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically supporting NASA's extensive space exploration and operations. Spending in this sector is often characterized by long-term investments and specialized expertise.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific subcontracting or set-asides for small businesses on this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's performance is overseen by NASA, with the award fee structure providing a mechanism for performance-based accountability. The 'definitive contract' type suggests a clear scope and duration.
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 reduced competition impacting price.
- Cost-plus contract type can lead to cost growth if not managed tightly.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical support functions.
- Limited transparency on specific performance metrics for award fee.
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 $127.6 million to COLSA CORP. HUNTSVILLE OPERATIONS SUPPPORT CENTER (HOSC) SERVICES CONTRACT. THE HUNTSVILLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER (HOSC) CONTRACT SPECIFIES TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE WORK NEEDED TO ENSURE THE AVAILABILITY, INTEGRITY, AND RELIABILITY OF MISSION GROUND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) SPACE PROGRAMS. THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES SINGLE OR MULTI-PROGRAM UNIQUE FACILITIES, SYSTEMS, AND SERVICES, BOTH LOCAL AND REMOTE TO MSFC, SUPPO
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 $127.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-04-01. End: 2017-03-31.
What specific metrics are used to determine the award fee for COLSA Corp. under this contract, and how do they align with NASA's mission objectives?
The award fee is typically tied to performance against specific metrics outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). These metrics likely include reliability of systems, timeliness of support, technical performance, and overall customer satisfaction. NASA's mission objectives would be the overarching framework, ensuring that COLSA's performance directly contributes to the success of space programs, research, and operational goals.
Given the 'limited' competition, what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential cost overruns for this significant R&D support contract?
The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' implies a justification for limiting the competitive pool, possibly due to specialized capabilities or existing infrastructure. To ensure fair pricing, NASA likely employed robust cost analysis, reviewed historical data, and negotiated the contract terms diligently. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure also incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively to earn higher fees.
How does the HOSC contract's structure, providing single or multi-program unique facilities and services, contribute to overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness for NASA's diverse space programs?
By consolidating unique facilities, systems, and services under a single contract, NASA can achieve economies of scale and reduce duplication of resources across different programs. This cross-utilization allows for seamless operations support, potentially lowering overhead costs and improving response times. The contract's design aims to provide a flexible and integrated support framework that adapts to the evolving needs of various space missions.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNM11374206R
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6728 ODYSSEY DR, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $130,265,090
Exercised Options: $130,265,090
Current Obligation: $127,565,549
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 249
Total Subaward Amount: $102,109,811
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-04-01
Current End Date: 2017-03-31
Potential End Date: 2017-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-08-08
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