NASA's TRACERS Project: $181.4M for Heliophysics Exploration, Phase A Study
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $181,434,956 ($181.4M)
Contractor: THE University of Iowa
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2018-03-05
End Date: 2026-04-30
Contract Duration: 2,978 days
Daily Burn Rate: $60.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE TANDEM RECONNECTION AND CUSP ELECTRODYNAMICS RECONNAISSANCE SATELLITE (TRACERS) IS PROPOSED BY THE CONTRACTOR IN RESPONSE TO THE NATIONAL AERONAUTIC AND SPACE ADMINSTRATION'S (NASA) 2016 HELIOPHYSICS SMALL EXPLORER (SMEX) ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPPORTUNITY (AO). THIS STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) DESCRIBES THE WORK TO BE CONDUCTED BY THE CONTRACTOR DURING THE PHASE A (TRACERS) PROJECT. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY PERSONNEL, MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND FACILITIES TO PRODUCE THE TRACERS PHASE A CONCEPT STUDY REPORT (CSR) THAT ENCOMPASSES: 1. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR PROGRAM OFFICE (PIPO). 2. INSTRUMENT SYSTEM ENGINEERING, INCLUDING INSTRUMENT MISSION ASSURANCE. 3. DESIGN OF A FLIGHT QUALIFIED TRACERS INSTRUMENT MEETING MISSION AND SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS. 4. DEVELOP PLANS IN SUPPORT OF INTEGRATION AND TEST OF THE TRACERS 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 TRACERS SCIENCE INVESTIGATION, AS WELL AS THE GENERATION OF RESULTING DATA PRODUCTS. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE A BRIEFING ON THE TRACERS SCIENCE AND SCIENCE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AT THE PHASE A SITE VISIT. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE AN ORGANIZATION CHART DEFINING THE CONTRACTOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, REPORTING PROCEDURES, AND LINES OF AUTHORITY. PARTICIPATE IN DEFINING THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE CONTRACTOR PIPO AND THE NASA EXPLORERS PROGRAM OFFICE. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL DEVELOP A TRACERS INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT AND A TRACERS MISSION SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL DEVELOP DETAILED BLOCK DIAGRAMS AND TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS. THE CONTRACTOR 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. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL LEAD THE SCIENCE TEAM. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL DEVELOP AN INSTRUMENT-LEVEL TEST PLAN AND PARTICIPATE IN PLANNING FOR INTEGRATION AND TEST. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PREPARE A DETAILED INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE COVERING ALL MISSION PHASES, LISTING MAJOR MILESTONES AND INCLUDING A DEFINED CRITICAL PATH AND SCHEDULE RESERVES. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PREPARE UPDATED INSTRUMENT BUDGETS AND REVIEW AND APPROVE THE OVERALL TRACERS BUDGET. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PREPARE AND SUBMIT THE CONCEPT STUDY REPORT.
Place of Performance
Location: IOWA CITY, JOHNSON County, IOWA, 52242
State: Iowa Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $181.4 million to THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA for work described as: THE TANDEM RECONNECTION AND CUSP ELECTRODYNAMICS RECONNAISSANCE SATELLITE (TRACERS) IS PROPOSED BY THE CONTRACTOR IN RESPONSE TO THE NATIONAL AERONAUTIC AND SPACE ADMINSTRATION'S (NASA) 2016 HELIOPHYSICS SMALL EXPLORER (SMEX) ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPPORTUNITY (AO). THIS STATEMENT OF WO… Key points: 1. The TRACERS project aims to advance Heliophysics research through a Phase A concept study. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. The contract type is Cost No Fee, indicating NASA bears the cost risk. 4. The sector is R&D, specifically nanotechnology, aligning with scientific exploration goals.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is Cost No Fee, meaning the government pays for all allowable costs. This structure shifts cost risk to NASA and doesn't inherently provide strong value for money without careful oversight.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically allows for a broad range of potential offerors and can lead to better price discovery. However, the Cost No Fee structure may influence the competitive dynamics.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are allocated for research and development, with the ultimate benefit being scientific advancement in heliophysics.
Public Impact
Advancement of scientific understanding in heliophysics and space weather. Development of new technologies and methodologies for space exploration. Potential for spin-off technologies and applications from R&D efforts. Supports NASA's broader mission of space exploration and scientific discovery.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost No Fee contract type shifts risk to the government.
- Long contract duration (2978 days) may increase cost uncertainty.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Focus on critical scientific research area (heliophysics).
- Potential for significant scientific return on investment.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on nanotechnology applications for space exploration. Spending benchmarks in this area are highly variable, depending on the complexity and novelty of the research.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific set-asides or participation goals for small businesses in this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial given the Cost No Fee structure to ensure that the contractor is managing resources effectively and meeting the scientific objectives of the Phase A study.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in Nanotechnology
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost No Fee contract type shifts cost risk to the government.
- Long contract duration may lead to scope creep or evolving requirements.
- Potential for contractor to prioritize cost recovery over optimal technical solutions.
- Reliance on contractor's internal controls for financial management.
Tags
research-and-development-in-nanotechnolo, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ia, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $181.4 million to THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA. THE TANDEM RECONNECTION AND CUSP ELECTRODYNAMICS RECONNAISSANCE SATELLITE (TRACERS) IS PROPOSED BY THE CONTRACTOR IN RESPONSE TO THE NATIONAL AERONAUTIC AND SPACE ADMINSTRATION'S (NASA) 2016 HELIOPHYSICS SMALL EXPLORER (SMEX) ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPPORTUNITY (AO). THIS STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) DESCRIBES THE WORK TO BE CONDUCTED BY THE CONTRACTOR DURING THE PHASE A (TRACERS) PROJECT. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY PERSONNEL, MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND FACILITIES TO PRODUCE THE TRACERS PHASE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA.
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 $181.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-03-05. End: 2026-04-30.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the Phase A concept study, and how will their achievement be measured to ensure scientific value?
The Phase A concept study's success hinges on delivering a comprehensive Concept Study Report (CSR) that meets specific mission and science requirements. Key indicators would likely include the thoroughness of the Principal Investigator Program Office (PIPO) deliverables, the robustness of the instrument system engineering and mission assurance plans, and the feasibility of the flight-qualified instrument design. NASA's evaluation of these components against the initial Announcement of Opportunity (AO) will determine the achievement of scientific value.
Given the Cost No Fee structure, what mechanisms are in place to mitigate the risk of cost overruns or inefficient resource allocation by the contractor?
The Cost No Fee (CNF) structure inherently places the financial risk on NASA. Mitigation strategies would typically involve stringent oversight of contractor expenditures, regular progress reviews, and clear definition of allowable costs. NASA's contracting officers and technical teams must actively monitor the contractor's performance and adherence to the Statement of Work (SOW) to ensure resources are used efficiently and that the project stays within the intended scope, even without a fixed price.
How will the effectiveness of the TRACERS mission be evaluated post-completion, particularly in terms of its contribution to heliophysics research and potential technological advancements?
Effectiveness will be evaluated through the scientific output and data generated by the TRACERS mission. This includes the quality and impact of research papers published, contributions to the understanding of solar-terrestrial interactions, and the successful deployment and operation of the designed instrument. NASA will likely assess the mission's success against its original science objectives and its broader impact on the heliophysics community and related technological fields.
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: 105 JESSUP HALL, IOWA CITY, IA, 52242
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $181,644,773
Exercised Options: $181,644,773
Current Obligation: $181,434,956
Actual Outlays: $166,777,738
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 103
Total Subaward Amount: $124,209,204
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-03-05
Current End Date: 2026-04-30
Potential End Date: 2026-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-19
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