NASA's $769M ACES Contract for IT Services Awarded to Peraton Enterprise Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $769,166,010 ($769.2M)

Contractor: Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2011-01-03

End Date: 2018-10-31

Contract Duration: 2,858 days

Daily Burn Rate: $269.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THE AGENCY CONSOLIDATED END-USER SERVICES (ACES)CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE AND MANAGE NASA'S PERSONAL COMPUTING HARDWARE, AGENCY STANDARD SOFTWARE, MOBILE IT SERVICES, PERIPHERALS AND ACCESSORIES, ASSOCIATED END-USER SERVICES, AND SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE.

Place of Performance

Location: STENNIS SPACE CENTER, HANCOCK County, MISSISSIPPI, 39529

State: Mississippi Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $769.2 million to PERATON ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: THE AGENCY CONSOLIDATED END-USER SERVICES (ACES)CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE AND MANAGE NASA'S PERSONAL COMPUTING HARDWARE, AGENCY STANDARD SOFTWARE, MOBILE IT SERVICES, PERIPHERALS AND ACCESSORIES, ASSOCIATED END-USER SERVICES, AND SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE. Key points: 1. The ACES contract covers a broad range of end-user IT services for NASA, including hardware, software, and support. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, the contract aims to standardize and manage NASA's personal computing environment. 3. The contract's fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but potential risks include vendor lock-in and evolving technology needs. 4. The sector is IT services, specifically computer systems design, a critical area for government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $769 million over its period of performance appears substantial for end-user IT services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale government IT support contracts would be necessary to definitively assess its pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for selecting the best value. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and innovation.

Taxpayer Impact: The fixed-price contract structure provides predictability for taxpayers, limiting the risk of cost overruns on the base contract.

Public Impact

Ensures NASA employees have access to necessary computing hardware, software, and mobile services. Aims to streamline IT support and management across the agency, potentially improving efficiency. Provides a standardized computing environment, which can enhance security and reduce compatibility issues.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Potential for technology obsolescence over the contract term.
  • Dependence on a single vendor for critical end-user IT services.
  • Scope creep could increase costs beyond initial projections.

Positive Signals

  • Full and open competition likely secured competitive pricing.
  • Fixed-price contract offers cost certainty.
  • Standardization of IT services can lead to operational efficiencies.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly end-user computing and support, is vital for government agencies. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on scope, but large-scale consolidation contracts like ACES aim for economies of scale.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as the 'sb' field is false. Larger prime contractors may subcontract to small businesses, but direct award analysis shows no small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's duration and significant value warrant ongoing oversight to ensure performance standards are met and costs remain controlled. Regular reviews of vendor performance and adherence to contract terms are crucial.

Related Government Programs

  • Computer Systems Design Services
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for vendor lock-in.
  • Risk of technology becoming outdated.
  • Complexity of managing diverse end-user needs.
  • Dependence on a single provider for critical IT functions.

Tags

computer-systems-design-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ms, definitive-contract, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $769.2 million to PERATON ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS LLC. THE AGENCY CONSOLIDATED END-USER SERVICES (ACES)CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE AND MANAGE NASA'S PERSONAL COMPUTING HARDWARE, AGENCY STANDARD SOFTWARE, MOBILE IT SERVICES, PERIPHERALS AND ACCESSORIES, ASSOCIATED END-USER SERVICES, AND SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PERATON ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS 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 $769.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-01-03. End: 2018-10-31.

What is the total cost per user over the life of the contract, and how does this compare to industry benchmarks for similar services?

Calculating the precise cost per user requires knowing the average number of users supported throughout the contract's duration. Without that specific user count, a direct per-user cost benchmark is difficult. However, the total contract value of $769 million spread over approximately 8 years suggests a significant investment in end-user IT infrastructure and support for NASA's workforce.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is vendor performance measured against them?

Key performance indicators for the ACES contract likely focus on service availability, response times for support tickets, hardware deployment timelines, and user satisfaction. NASA would typically have defined metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) within the contract to measure Peraton's performance. Regular performance reviews and reporting would be conducted to ensure adherence to these KPIs.

How does the ACES contract address the rapid evolution of technology in the end-user computing space to avoid obsolescence?

Contracts of this nature often include provisions for technology refresh and adaptation. This could involve scheduled hardware upgrades, software updates, and flexibility to incorporate new technologies as they emerge. NASA likely has mechanisms within the ACES contract to manage the lifecycle of IT assets and ensure that the technology remains current and effective.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesComputer Systems Design and Related ServicesComputer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONSADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: NNX10272008R

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Peraton Solutions Inc. (UEI: 081218565)

Address: 13600 EDS DR A3S, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,500,000,000

Exercised Options: $769,166,010

Current Obligation: $769,166,010

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2550

Total Subaward Amount: $707,844,712

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2011-01-03

Current End Date: 2018-10-31

Potential End Date: 2018-10-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2020-06-04

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