NASA's Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) Concept Study Awarded to Utah State University for $51.5M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $51,485,450 ($51.5M)
Contractor: Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2018-02-23
End Date: 2027-03-31
Contract Duration: 3,323 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE ATMOSPHERIC WAVES EXPERIMENT (AWE) IS PROPOSED BY THE UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION (USURF) IN RESPONSE TO NASAS 2016 HELIOPHYSICS EXPLORERS MISSION OF OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT NNH12ZDA005O-HPEXMO. THIS STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) DESCRIBES THE WORK TO BE CONDUCTED BY USURF DURING THE PHASE A (AWE) CONCEPT STUDIES. USURF SHALL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY PERSONNEL, MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND FACILITIES TO PRODUCE THE AWE PHASE A CONCEPT STUDY REPORT (CSR) THAT ENCOMPASSES: 1. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR PROGRAM OFFICE. 2. INSTRUMENT SYSTEM ENGINEERING, INCLUDING INSTRUMENT MISSION ASSURANCE. 3. DESIGN OF A FLIGHT QUALIFIED AWE INSTRUMENT MEETING MISSION AND SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS. 4. DEVELOP PLANS IN SUPPORT OF INTEGRATION AND TEST OF THE AWE INSTRUMENT FLIGHT SYSTEM. 5. DEVELOP PLANS IN SUPPORT OF ESSENTIAL FIELD OPERATIONS 6. DEVELOP PLANS IN SUPPORT OF LAUNCH OPERATIONS, FLIGHT OPERATIONS. 7. DEVELOP PLANS FOR AND LEAD THE AWE SCIENCE INVESTIGATION, AS WELL AS THE GENERATION OF RESULTING DATA PRODUCTS.USURF SHALL PROVIDE A BRIEFING ON THE AWE SCIENCE AND SCIENCE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AT THE PHASE A SITE VISIT. USURF SHALL PROVIDE AN ORGANIZATION CHART DEFINING USURF ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, REPORTING PROCEDURES, AND LINES OF AUTHORITY. PARTICIPATE IN DEFINING THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE USURF PI PROGRAM OFFICE AND THE NASA EXPLORERS PROGRAM OFFICE.. USURF SHALL DEVELOP A AWE INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT AND A AWE MISSION SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT. USURF SHALL DEVELOP DETAILED BLOCK DIAGRAMS AND TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS. USURF SHALL CONDUCT IN-DEPTH INSTRUMENT-LEVEL REVIEWS OF THE PROPOSED INSTRUMENT DESIGN. CONDUCT ESSENTIAL TRADE STUDIES, ANALYSES, MODELING AND SIMULATIONS TO ASSURE COMPLIANCE WITH INSTRUMENT REQUIREMENTS. USURF SHALL LEAD THE SCIENCE TEAM. USURF SHALL DEVELOP AN INSTRUMENT-LEVEL TEST PLAN AND PARTICIPATE IN PLANNING FOR INTEGRATION AND TEST.
Place of Performance
Location: LOGAN, CACHE County, UTAH, 84341
State: Utah Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $51.5 million to UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPACE DYNAMICS LABORATORY for work described as: THE ATMOSPHERIC WAVES EXPERIMENT (AWE) IS PROPOSED BY THE UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION (USURF) IN RESPONSE TO NASAS 2016 HELIOPHYSICS EXPLORERS MISSION OF OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT NNH12ZDA005O-HPEXMO. THIS STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) DESCRIBES THE WORK TO BE CONDUCTED BY… Key points: 1. The contract supports Phase A concept studies for the AWE, a heliophysics explorer mission. 2. Utah State University's Space Dynamics Laboratory is the contractor, with NASA as the agency. 3. The contract type is Cost No Fee, indicating a focus on research and development. 4. The R&D sector, specifically nanotechnology, is the primary focus of this award.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
This is a Phase A concept study, so a direct pricing assessment against similar completed contracts is difficult. The Cost No Fee structure suggests the primary goal is research and development, not profit.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple proposals were considered. This method generally leads to better price discovery for research-oriented contracts.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for early-stage research and development of a potential space exploration instrument.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's heliophysics research goals, potentially leading to new scientific discoveries. Invests in advanced research capabilities at Utah State University. The outcome of this study will determine the feasibility and design of a future space mission.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in early-stage R&D projects.
- Uncertainty in achieving scientific objectives within budget.
- Long project duration increases risk of technological obsolescence.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports a key NASA science mission.
- Leverages established research institution (USU).
Sector Analysis
This award falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically related to nanotechnology and space exploration. Spending benchmarks in this niche area are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of scientific research contracts.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific involvement or benefit for small businesses in this contract. The primary contractor is Utah State University.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's oversight will focus on the successful completion of the Phase A concept study report, ensuring adherence to scientific and engineering requirements.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in Nanotechnology
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in R&D.
- Uncertainty of scientific mission success.
- Long contract duration.
- Technological obsolescence risk.
Tags
research-and-development-in-nanotechnolo, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ut, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $51.5 million to UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPACE DYNAMICS LABORATORY. THE ATMOSPHERIC WAVES EXPERIMENT (AWE) IS PROPOSED BY THE UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION (USURF) IN RESPONSE TO NASAS 2016 HELIOPHYSICS EXPLORERS MISSION OF OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT NNH12ZDA005O-HPEXMO. THIS STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) DESCRIBES THE WORK TO BE CONDUCTED BY USURF DURING THE PHASE A (AWE) CONCEPT STUDIES. USURF SHALL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY PERSONNEL, MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND FACILITIES TO PRODUCE THE AWE PHASE A CONCEPT STUDY REPORT (CSR) THAT ENCOMPASSES: 1. PRINCIPAL INVE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPACE DYNAMICS LABORATORY.
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 $51.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-02-23. End: 2027-03-31.
What is the expected scientific return on investment for the Atmospheric Waves Experiment?
The primary goal of the AWE is to study atmospheric waves, which play a crucial role in energy transport within Earth's upper atmosphere. Understanding these waves can improve space weather forecasting and our knowledge of atmospheric dynamics. The scientific return will be measured by the quality and novelty of the data collected and the resulting publications and insights into heliophysics.
What are the key technical risks associated with developing the AWE instrument?
Key technical risks include ensuring the instrument can meet stringent mission and science requirements, achieving flight qualification, and successful integration and testing of the flight system. Challenges may arise from the harsh space environment, miniaturization requirements, and the need for high reliability in a complex scientific instrument. Mitigation strategies will be detailed in the Phase A report.
How will the success of the Phase A study impact future funding and mission development?
The success of the Phase A concept study is critical for the AWE's progression. A positive outcome, demonstrating technical feasibility and scientific merit within cost constraints, will likely lead to NASA approving further development phases (e.g., Phase B). Failure to meet objectives or significant cost overruns could result in the cancellation or significant redesign of the mission.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in Nanotechnology
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNH16ZDA005O
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1695 N RESEARCH PKWY, NORTH LOGAN, UT, 84341
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Foundation, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $57,318,978
Exercised Options: $57,318,978
Current Obligation: $51,485,450
Actual Outlays: $47,848,152
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 11
Total Subaward Amount: $23,695,818
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-02-23
Current End Date: 2027-03-31
Potential End Date: 2027-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-25
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