Interior's USGS awards $32.4M data purchase to South African National Space Agency for space research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,413 ($32.4K)

Contractor: South African National Space Agency

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-06-06

End Date: 2028-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,882 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SANSA DATA PURCHASE

Place of Performance

Location: DENVER, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80225

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $32,413 to SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL SPACE AGENCY for work described as: SANSA DATA PURCHASE Key points: 1. Value for money is difficult to assess due to lack of competition and limited public data. 2. Competition dynamics are non-existent, as this was a sole-source award. 3. Risk indicators include potential for overpayment given the lack of competitive bidding. 4. Performance context is unclear, as details on the specific data and its utility are not provided. 5. Sector positioning places this within space research and technology, a critical area for Earth observation.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $32.4 million for a data purchase is substantial. Without a competitive bidding process, it is challenging to benchmark this price against market rates or similar contracts. The lack of transparency regarding the specific data being purchased and its intended use makes a definitive value-for-money assessment difficult. It is possible that a competitive process could have yielded a lower price or identified alternative data sources.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. The justification for this approach is not detailed in the provided data. A sole-source award typically indicates that only one vendor was deemed capable of meeting the requirement, or that the agency chose not to solicit offers from other potential sources. This lack of competition limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost to the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium for this data due to the absence of competitive pressure to drive down costs. The government did not explore potentially more cost-effective options from other providers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of the Interior, which will receive space research data. The services delivered involve the purchase of data crucial for space research and technology applications. The geographic impact is primarily domestic, supporting U.S. scientific and technological endeavors. Workforce implications are likely within the scientific and research communities at the USGS, enhancing their capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about fair pricing and potential overspending.
Limited transparency on the specific data purchased and its application hinders performance evaluation.
Sole-source awards can stifle innovation by not engaging a broader market of potential suppliers.

Positive Signals

The contract supports critical space research and technology, aligning with national interests.
The long-term nature of the contract (over 4 years) suggests a sustained need for the data.
The awardee, South African National Space Agency, is a government entity with potential expertise in space data.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader space research and technology sector, which is increasingly vital for Earth observation, climate monitoring, and national security. The market for space-based data is growing, with numerous public and private entities involved. Benchmarking this specific data purchase is difficult without knowing the exact nature of the data, but spending in space technology and data acquisition by government agencies is significant and often involves long-term investments.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve any small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities based on the provided information. The award is made directly to a foreign government agency, suggesting that the focus was on specialized capabilities rather than broad market engagement where small businesses typically play a larger role.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Interior's internal procurement and financial management systems. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the foreign recipient. Accountability would be tied to the delivery and quality of the data as specified in the purchase order. Inspector General jurisdiction may apply depending on the specific circumstances and the nature of any potential issues.

Related Government Programs

NASA Earth Science Programs
NOAA Satellite Operations
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Data Services
DoD Space Domain Awareness Initiatives

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for non-competitive pricing.
Limited transparency on data specifics and utility.
Foreign entity recipient requires careful monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $32,413 to SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL SPACE AGENCY. SANSA DATA PURCHASE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL SPACE AGENCY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Geological Survey).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32,413.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-06. End: 2028-07-31.

What specific types of space research data are being purchased, and how will they be utilized by the USGS?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the 'SANSA DATA PURCHASE.' However, given the awardee is the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the recipient is the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), it is highly probable that the data relates to Earth observation, remote sensing, or other geospatial information derived from space-based assets. The USGS utilizes such data for a wide range of applications, including geological mapping, natural hazard monitoring (earthquakes, volcanoes, floods), water resource management, land use analysis, and climate change research. Without further details, the precise utility remains speculative, but it is expected to support the USGS's core scientific and mapping missions.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to the South African National Space Agency?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED' and is a 'SOLE SOURCE.' Government agencies typically justify sole-source awards when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the requirement. This could be due to unique intellectual property, specialized technology, or a pre-existing partnership. For SANSA, it might involve access to specific satellite data streams or unique processing capabilities that are not readily available from other sources. A formal justification document (e.g., a Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition) would normally be required by federal acquisition regulations, but this document is not included in the provided data. The lack of competition raises questions about whether alternative, potentially more cost-effective, solutions were overlooked.

How does the $32.4 million cost compare to similar data purchases or SANSA's typical pricing?

Benchmarking the $32.4 million cost is challenging without knowing the specifics of the data being purchased (e.g., resolution, frequency, coverage area, processing level) and the contract duration (approximately 4 years). SANSA, as a national space agency, may have unique data products or access rights. However, the absence of a competitive bidding process means there is no market-driven price discovery. To assess value, one would need to compare this to similar data purchases by other U.S. agencies or international partners, or analyze SANSA's published price lists, if available. Given the sole-source nature, the price may not reflect the lowest possible cost achievable through competition.

What are the potential risks associated with this sole-source award, particularly concerning data quality and delivery?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source award include potential overpricing due to lack of competition and uncertainty regarding data quality and timely delivery. While SANSA is a government agency, its track record specifically with U.S. government contracts is not detailed here. Risks could also arise from geopolitical factors, changes in SANSA's operational capabilities, or differing technical standards. The USGS would need robust contract management and quality assurance processes in place to mitigate these risks, including clear performance metrics, acceptance criteria, and remedies for non-performance. The long-term nature of the contract also introduces risk related to the evolving needs of the USGS and the technological landscape.

What is the historical spending pattern for space data or research technology by the Department of the Interior or USGS?

Historical spending data for space data or research technology by the Department of the Interior (DOI) or specifically the USGS is not provided in the current data snippet. However, agencies like the USGS and DOI routinely invest in geospatial data, remote sensing, and related technologies to support their missions. This often involves purchasing satellite imagery, aerial photography, and other forms of environmental data. Spending can fluctuate based on specific research initiatives, technological advancements, and the availability of funding. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing historical contract databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to identify past awards for similar services or data types to the USGS and DOI.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Public Administration › Space Research and Technology › Space Research and Technology

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: ENTERPRISE BUILDING MARK SHUTTLEWORTH STREET, THE INNOVATION HUB, PRETORIA

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $57,393

Exercised Options: $32,413

Current Obligation: $32,413

Actual Outlays: $20,973

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline