National Aeronautics and Space Administration Awarded a Contract to PARAGON SOLUTIONS, INC. for $17,227.50

Summary of Award

The awarded contract detailed in the JSON response from USAspending.gov represents a significant transaction between the United States federal government and Paragon Solutions, Inc. This government contractor is headquartered in Rolla, Missouri, and is classified as a Women Owned Small Business (WOSB), among other designations. The contract in question involves Paragon Solutions performing an ISO 9001:2015 reassessment audit at NASA's Stennis Space Center facility. This contract, identified by the award ID 80NSSC23FA140, is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) call, with a total obligation amount of $17,227.50.

Paragon Solutions, Inc., the recipient of this contract, is engaged in providing services under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611, which refers to Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. The company specializes in offering professional management consulting services, particularly those related to compliance standards such as ISO certifications. The company's participation in this contract underlines its expertise and capability in delivering high-quality audits and management support services.

The contract was signed on February 17, 2023, and has a performance period beginning on May 15, 2023, and concluding on June 2, 2023. The financial implications of this agreement seem well-documented, with the total funds obligated equating to the same amount as the total contract value, ensuring full financial commitment from NASA, the awarding agency. It is notable that the contract highlights the clear competitive designation, having been competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), signifying that a streamlined and less formal bidding process was employed to expedite the award. Upon examining the transactions associated with this contract, two significant monetary movements are noted. The first transaction, dated February 17, 2023, coincides with the contract signing and involves a payment of $17,227.50 to Paragon Solutions, marking the initial contract obligation. This upfront transaction underscores the importance of securing financial backing to facilitate the audit tasks required at the NASA facility. The second transaction is recorded on April 10, 2025. This involves a modification labeled as "P00003" and registers a negative transaction amount of $812.02. Such negative adjustments are not uncommon in government contracting and could represent a range of possibilities, from a correction of overpayments to adjustments based on the final audit report findings. It reflects a typical administrative modification post-contract execution to ensure financial accuracy in the contractual obligations. Paragon Solutions' identity as a part of the small business community comes with fiduciary responsibilities and benefits, including potential preferences in government contracting due to its WOSB status. This contract serves as a testament to the company’s ability to navigate federal procurement processes and to deliver services that align with government standards, particularly in highly specialized fields like ISO audits. NASA, acting through its shared services center, served as both the awarding and funding agency for this contract. This particular relationship exemplifies the agency's commitment to ensuring its facilities continue to operate under optimal management standards. The contractual work with Paragon Solutions reaffirms NASA's reliance on trusted business partners who contribute to maintaining the rigorous standards crucial to NASA's operational success. The contract’s focus on ISO 9001:2015 reassessment audits indicates NASA’s strategic emphasis on quality management systems and process efficiencies. Such audits are critical in helping organizations standardize procedures, enhance operational performance, and ensure compliance with international quality standards. With Paragon Solutions spearheading this effort, NASA benefits from the audit insights necessary to sustain and improve the quality of its operational processes at the Stennis Space Center. Breaking down the economic aspects further, the contract is structured as a firm-fixed-price arrangement. This form of pricing is generally used when costs can be predicted accurately in advance, offering both the government and the contractor a degree of financial predictability. It also minimizes the administrative load of contract management, aligning with NASA’s broader efficiency-driven approach. The alignment of Paragon Solutions' services with NASA’s operational goals depicts a strategic partnership focused on effectiveness, compliance, and continuous improvement. NASA's selection of a Women Owned Small Business supports broader federal initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion within government contracting, fostering a competitive and diverse economic environment. In summary, the contract between NASA and Paragon Solutions embodies a collaborative effort to ensure high standards of operational efficiency at a major NASA facility. It illustrates the federal government’s strategic use of small business designations to foster entrepreneurship and diversity within its supplier base, all while achieving key compliance objectives critical to NASA’s mission readiness and excellence.