NASA awards $18.7M construction contract for Stennis Space Center, with 2 bidders
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,732,019 ($18.7M)
Contractor: Harry Pepper & Associates Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2012-11-02
End Date: 2015-01-31
Contract Duration: 820 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF MULTIPLE AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT (MACC) FOR STENNIS SPACE CENTER, (SSC,MS) B2 TEST STAND RESTORATION WORK PACKAGE 1
Place of Performance
Location: STENNIS SPACE CENTER, HANCOCK County, MISSISSIPPI, 39529
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $18.7 million to HARRY PEPPER & ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF MULTIPLE AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT (MACC) FOR STENNIS SPACE CENTER, (SSC,MS) B2 TEST STAND RESTORATION WORK PACKAGE 1 Key points: 1. Contract awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract value of $18.7 million falls within a moderate spending range for construction projects of this nature. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but potential for cost overruns exists if scope changes. 4. The contract duration of 820 days indicates a significant project timeline. 5. Awarded to Harry Pepper & Associates Inc., a single contractor for this specific work package. 6. The project is located at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, a key NASA facility.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $18.7 million for a restoration work package at Stennis Space Center appears to be within a reasonable range for industrial building construction. However, without specific details on the scope of work for 'B2 Test Stand Restoration Work Package 1', a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar restoration projects at other federal facilities would provide better context for pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition', indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. With two bidders, the competition level was moderate. While two bidders suggest some level of price discovery, a higher number of bidders would typically lead to more robust competition and potentially lower prices for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The moderate competition level means taxpayers likely received a reasonably competitive price, but there may have been opportunities for further cost savings with more bidders.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the operations at Stennis Space Center, which will see improvements to its test stand facilities. The services delivered include industrial building construction, specifically the restoration of a test stand. The geographic impact is localized to Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction workers and related trades during the project's duration.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in fixed-price contracts if not managed tightly.
- Dependence on a single contractor for a critical restoration project.
- Limited competition (2 bidders) may have resulted in a higher-than-optimal price.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, ensuring a broad search for qualified contractors.
- Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
- Project addresses necessary infrastructure restoration at a key federal facility.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Industrial Building Construction sector, a subset of the broader Construction industry. The federal government is a significant consumer of construction services for maintaining and upgrading its vast infrastructure, including research and testing facilities like those at NASA's Stennis Space Center. Spending in this sector is influenced by infrastructure needs, modernization efforts, and agency budgets.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, Harry Pepper & Associates Inc., would determine any subcontracting opportunities based on their own business practices and project needs.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within NASA. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed project progress reports may not always be publicly available.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Facilities Construction
- Stennis Space Center Operations
- Industrial Facility Maintenance
- Federal Building Restoration
Risk Flags
- Moderate Competition
- Fixed-Price Contract Risk
- Infrastructure Restoration Project
Tags
construction, nasa, stennis-space-center, mississippi, industrial-building-construction, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, moderate-value, infrastructure, facility-restoration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $18.7 million to HARRY PEPPER & ASSOCIATES INC. IGF::OT::IGF MULTIPLE AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT (MACC) FOR STENNIS SPACE CENTER, (SSC,MS) B2 TEST STAND RESTORATION WORK PACKAGE 1
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is HARRY PEPPER & ASSOCIATES 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 $18.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-11-02. End: 2015-01-31.
What is the specific scope of work for the 'B2 Test Stand Restoration Work Package 1' at Stennis Space Center?
The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work for 'B2 Test Stand Restoration Work Package 1'. However, given the contract type (Industrial Building Construction) and the nature of Stennis Space Center as a rocket propulsion test facility, the restoration likely involves structural repairs, upgrades to safety systems, refurbishment of testing equipment interfaces, or modernization of control and monitoring infrastructure within the B2 Test Stand. A detailed scope would typically be found in the Statement of Work (SOW) attached to the contract.
How does the $18.7 million contract value compare to similar NASA construction projects?
Comparing the $18.7 million contract value requires access to a database of similar NASA construction projects, specifically those involving test stand restoration or industrial facility upgrades. Without such a benchmark, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent, fair, or concerning value. Factors like the complexity of the restoration, the age and condition of the existing infrastructure, and the specific technical requirements of the test stand would heavily influence the cost. A preliminary assessment suggests it is within a moderate range for significant facility work.
What is the track record of Harry Pepper & Associates Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with NASA?
The provided data identifies Harry Pepper & Associates Inc. as the contractor but does not offer details on their past performance or track record with federal agencies, including NASA. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their contract history, past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or claims. This information is crucial for understanding their reliability and capability in executing projects of this nature.
What are the potential risks associated with a fixed-price contract for construction work?
Fixed-price contracts, while offering cost certainty to the buyer, carry risks for both parties. For the contractor, the primary risk is underestimating costs, leading to reduced profit margins or even losses if unforeseen issues arise (e.g., material price increases, unexpected site conditions, design flaws). For the government, the risk lies in the contractor potentially cutting corners on quality or scope to maintain profitability if costs escalate, or in disputes arising over change orders if the scope is not perfectly defined upfront. Effective project management and clear contract terms are essential to mitigate these risks.
How has NASA's spending on construction at Stennis Space Center trended over the past decade?
The provided data is for a single contract awarded in 2012. To analyze NASA's spending trends on construction at Stennis Space Center over the past decade, one would need access to historical contract data for that specific facility. This would involve querying federal procurement databases for all construction-related awards at SSC over the last 10 years, summing their values, and analyzing the annual expenditure. Such an analysis could reveal patterns of investment, periods of high activity, or shifts in funding priorities for facility maintenance and upgrades.
What is the significance of the 'B2 Test Stand' at Stennis Space Center?
The B2 Test Stand at NASA's Stennis Space Center is a critical facility designed for testing rocket engines and components. Stennis Space Center is NASA's primary facility for testing large-scale rocket propulsion systems. The B2 Test Stand, like other facilities at SSC, requires ongoing maintenance and upgrades to ensure its capability to support current and future space exploration missions. Restoration work on such stands is vital for maintaining operational readiness and safety.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Industrial Building Construction
Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Roberts Immigration LAW Group, LLC (UEI: 017106386)
Address: 9000 REGENCY SQUARE BLVD FL 1, JACKSONVILLE, FL, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,732,019
Exercised Options: $18,732,019
Current Obligation: $18,732,019
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNS12AA84B
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-11-02
Current End Date: 2015-01-31
Potential End Date: 2015-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-01-06
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