NASA's SWFO-L1 Magnetometer Suite contract awarded to Southwest Research Institute for $138.5M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,852,664 ($13.9M)
Contractor: Southwest Research Institute
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2020-04-14
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 2,268 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE SPACE WEATHER FOLLOW ON (SWFO-L1) MISSION MAGNETOMETER SUITE (MAG) JOINT UNDERTAKING BETWEEN NASA AND NOAA.
Place of Performance
Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78238
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $13.9 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE for work described as: THE SPACE WEATHER FOLLOW ON (SWFO-L1) MISSION MAGNETOMETER SUITE (MAG) JOINT UNDERTAKING BETWEEN NASA AND NOAA. Key points: 1. The contract supports a critical component of the Space Weather Follow On mission, enhancing space weather prediction capabilities. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for this specialized technology. 3. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure incentivizes contractor efficiency while managing project scope. 4. The duration of the contract (over 6 years) indicates a long-term commitment to this scientific endeavor. 5. The project is located in Texas, potentially impacting the local aerospace and technology workforce. 6. This undertaking represents a joint effort between NASA and NOAA, highlighting inter-agency collaboration on vital scientific infrastructure.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $138.5 million for the Magnetometer Suite appears reasonable given the complexity and specialized nature of space-based scientific instruments. Benchmarking against similar complex instrument development contracts for space missions would provide a more precise value assessment. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) pricing structure is common for R&D-intensive projects where final costs can be uncertain, but it requires careful oversight to ensure cost control.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to drive innovation and ensure fair pricing. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for this type of specialized aerospace technology.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and higher quality outcomes for government procurements.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and NOAA, who will gain enhanced capabilities for monitoring and predicting space weather events. The services delivered include the design, development, testing, and delivery of a sophisticated magnetometer suite for a space-based mission. The geographic impact is primarily national, focusing on improving space weather forecasting across the United States and its interests. Workforce implications include specialized engineering and scientific roles within the contractor's organization and potentially supporting industries.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in CPFF contracts if not rigorously managed.
- Dependence on a single contractor for a critical mission component could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
- The long contract duration requires sustained oversight to ensure continued alignment with mission objectives.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market and potential for best value.
- Joint undertaking between NASA and NOAA suggests strong inter-agency support and alignment with national priorities.
- The contractor, Southwest Research Institute, has a strong reputation in aerospace research and development.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on space technology and scientific instrumentation. The market for developing specialized components for space missions is highly technical and often dominated by a few key players. This contract represents a significant investment in space weather research, a field critical for protecting technological infrastructure and human activities in space and on Earth.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Southwest Research Institute, a large research organization. There is no explicit indication of small business set-asides for this specific contract. However, large prime contractors are often required to subcontract portions of their work to small businesses, which could provide opportunities for smaller firms within the aerospace supply chain.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will likely be conducted by NASA's contracting officers and program managers, ensuring adherence to contract terms, technical specifications, and budget. The CPFF structure necessitates close financial and performance monitoring. Transparency is generally maintained through program reviews and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Space Weather Follow On (SWFO) Mission
- Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Program
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Satellite Programs
- NASA Heliophysics Missions
Risk Flags
- Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
- Schedule Delay Risk
- Technical Performance Risk
- Supply Chain Disruption Risk
Tags
nasa, noaa, space-weather, heliophysics, instrument-development, definitive-contract, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, aerospace, research-and-development, texas, southwest-research-institute
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $13.9 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE. THE SPACE WEATHER FOLLOW ON (SWFO-L1) MISSION MAGNETOMETER SUITE (MAG) JOINT UNDERTAKING BETWEEN NASA AND NOAA.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE.
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 $13.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-04-14. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the track record of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in delivering complex space instrumentation contracts for NASA?
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has a well-established track record of successfully developing and delivering complex scientific instruments and systems for space missions. They have been involved in numerous NASA projects, including instruments for missions like the New Horizons Pluto probe, Juno Jupiter orbiter, and various heliophysics missions. Their expertise in instrument design, fabrication, and testing, particularly in areas like magnetometers and plasma physics, makes them a strong candidate for projects like the SWFO-L1 Magnetometer Suite. NASA's continued engagement with SwRI on significant projects like this underscores their confidence in the organization's technical capabilities and past performance in meeting stringent space mission requirements.
How does the $138.5 million contract value compare to similar space-based magnetometer suite procurements?
Directly comparing the $138.5 million value of the SWFO-L1 Magnetometer Suite contract to similar procurements is challenging due to the proprietary nature of contract details and the unique specifications of each mission. However, the development of sophisticated scientific payloads for space missions, especially those involving advanced sensor technology like magnetometers for heliophysics research, typically represents a significant investment. Costs can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars depending on the instrument's complexity, required sensitivity, environmental testing, and the overall mission architecture. Given the SWFO-L1's role in advancing space weather prediction, a value in the low hundreds of millions is generally consistent with the scale and technical demands of such critical scientific endeavors.
What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this project?
The primary risk associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for the SWFO-L1 Magnetometer Suite is the potential for cost overruns. While the fixed fee provides a ceiling for the contractor's profit, the 'cost' portion means the government ultimately reimburses the contractor's allowable expenses. If the project encounters unforeseen technical challenges, requires more labor hours than anticipated, or experiences supply chain disruptions, the total cost to the government could exceed initial estimates. To mitigate this, NASA must implement robust oversight, including detailed cost tracking, regular performance reviews, and strict adherence to the contract's definition of allowable costs, to ensure the contractor maintains cost discipline.
How effective is the Space Weather Follow On (SWFO-L1) mission expected to be in improving space weather prediction?
The Space Weather Follow On (SWFO-L1) mission is expected to be highly effective in improving space weather prediction by providing crucial data from a unique vantage point. Positioned at the Sun-Earth L1 Lagrange point, SWFO-L1 will offer continuous, upstream observation of solar wind and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) before they impact Earth. This 'heads-up' capability is vital for providing timely warnings of potentially hazardous space weather events, such as geomagnetic storms, which can disrupt power grids, satellite operations, and communication systems. The mission's advanced instrumentation, including the Magnetometer Suite, will enhance the accuracy and lead time of forecasts, enabling better preparedness and mitigation strategies.
What are the historical spending patterns for NASA's heliophysics missions and related instrument development?
NASA's heliophysics missions, which study the Sun and its influence on the solar system, have historically involved significant investments in spacecraft and instrument development. Spending patterns vary widely based on mission complexity, duration, and scientific objectives. Individual instrument suites, like the one for SWFO-L1, can cost tens to over a hundred million dollars. Larger, more complex missions, such as flagship missions or those involving multiple spacecraft, can have total costs ranging from several hundred million to over a billion dollars. The development of advanced sensors, data processing capabilities, and long-term operational support are key cost drivers. The $138.5 million for the SWFO-L1 magnetometer suite aligns with the upper end of specialized instrument development costs within the broader heliophysics portfolio.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 80GSFC20C0015R
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6220 CULEBRA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78238
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,307,923
Exercised Options: $14,307,923
Current Obligation: $13,852,664
Actual Outlays: $13,222,437
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 6
Total Subaward Amount: $742,015
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-04-14
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-14
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