NASA's DAVINCI+ mission contract awarded to Malin Space Science Systems for $7.07M, aiming to investigate Venus
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,069,335 ($7.1M)
Contractor: Malin Space Science Systems, Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2020-05-27
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 2,409 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DEEP ATMOSPHERE VENUS INVESTIGATION OF NOBLE GASES, CHEMISTRY, AND IMAGING PLUS (DAVINCI+) MALIN SPACE SCIENCE SYSTEMS PHASE A
Place of Performance
Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92191
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $7.1 million to MALIN SPACE SCIENCE SYSTEMS, INC for work described as: DEEP ATMOSPHERE VENUS INVESTIGATION OF NOBLE GASES, CHEMISTRY, AND IMAGING PLUS (DAVINCI+) MALIN SPACE SCIENCE SYSTEMS PHASE A Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a complex scientific instrument development phase. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risks include schedule delays and cost overruns common in R&D projects. 4. This contract supports a critical scientific objective for NASA's planetary science division. 5. The project positions Malin Space Science Systems as a key player in planetary instrument development. 6. Performance will be measured against specific technical milestones and delivery schedules.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $7.07 million for Phase A development of the DAVINCI+ mission instruments seems appropriate given the complexity of space science missions. Benchmarking against similar NASA instrument development contracts for planetary science missions of comparable scope would provide further context, but initial assessment suggests a fair price for the work involved. The firm-fixed-price structure also indicates a degree of cost certainty for the agency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of four bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this NASA contract. This competitive environment is expected to drive innovation and ensure that the agency secures the best possible technical solution and pricing for the development of the DAVINCI+ instruments.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by fostering price discovery and potentially leading to more cost-effective solutions, reducing the overall financial burden on the government.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the scientific community and the public, through enhanced understanding of Venus's atmosphere. The contract will deliver critical scientific instruments for the DAVINCI+ mission. The geographic impact is national, supporting NASA's scientific exploration goals. Workforce implications include specialized engineering and scientific roles at Malin Space Science Systems and potentially its subcontractors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for schedule slippage in complex R&D projects.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical instrument development could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost control for NASA.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
- Malin Space Science Systems has a track record in space instrument development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on scientific instrument development for space exploration. The market for such specialized instruments is relatively niche, dominated by a few key players with proven expertise. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for advancing planetary science and maintaining U.S. leadership in space exploration. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other NASA instrument development contracts for missions to other planets or celestial bodies.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Malin Space Science Systems, Inc., a large business. There is no indication of a small business set-aside. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but this would depend on the prime contractor's procurement strategy. The direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless significant subcontracting occurs.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's contract oversight mechanisms, including program management reviews, technical milestone tracking, and financial reporting requirements, will be applied to this contract. Accountability is ensured through the firm-fixed-price structure and adherence to the Statement of Work. Transparency is maintained through public release of contract awards and mission updates. The Inspector General's office provides an additional layer of oversight for potential fraud, waste, and abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Planetary Science Division Programs
- Venus Exploration Initiatives
- Space Instrument Development Contracts
- Deep Space Missions
Risk Flags
- Potential for schedule delays
- Technical complexity of space instruments
Tags
nasa, space-exploration, planetary-science, instrument-development, davinci+, malin-space-science-systems, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, phase-a, california, research-and-development
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $7.1 million to MALIN SPACE SCIENCE SYSTEMS, INC. DEEP ATMOSPHERE VENUS INVESTIGATION OF NOBLE GASES, CHEMISTRY, AND IMAGING PLUS (DAVINCI+) MALIN SPACE SCIENCE SYSTEMS PHASE A
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MALIN SPACE SCIENCE SYSTEMS, INC.
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 $7.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-05-27. End: 2026-12-31.
What is Malin Space Science Systems' track record with NASA instrument development?
Malin Space Science Systems has a notable track record with NASA, having developed instruments for several significant missions. They were responsible for the cameras on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover, and the Juno mission to Jupiter. Their experience includes designing, building, and testing complex imaging and sensor systems for harsh space environments. This history suggests a strong capability and familiarity with NASA's requirements and processes, which is a positive indicator for the DAVINCI+ contract.
How does the $7.07 million contract value compare to similar NASA instrument development contracts?
The $7.07 million value for Phase A development of the DAVINCI+ instruments appears to be within a reasonable range for the initial stages of a complex space mission. Phase A typically involves preliminary design, feasibility studies, and technology development. For comparison, instrument development contracts for missions like the Mars Perseverance rover or the Europa Clipper mission involved hundreds of millions of dollars for the entire mission lifecycle, including instrument design, fabrication, testing, and integration. However, Phase A contracts are significantly smaller. Without specific data on comparable Phase A contracts for Venus missions, it's difficult to provide a precise benchmark, but the amount seems proportionate for the scope of work.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being managed?
The primary risks associated with this contract are typical for R&D and space missions: technical challenges in developing novel instruments, potential schedule delays due to unforeseen technical hurdles or integration issues, and cost overruns, although the firm-fixed-price structure aims to mitigate the latter. NASA manages these risks through rigorous oversight, regular technical reviews, milestone-based payments, and clear performance metrics outlined in the contract. The contractor's prior experience also serves as a risk-reduction factor. Contingency planning and phased development are standard practices to address potential issues.
How effective is the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type in ensuring value for money for this project?
The firm-fixed-price contract type is generally effective in ensuring value for money for projects where the scope of work is well-defined, such as the initial development phase (Phase A) of a scientific mission. It shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, incentivizing them to manage costs efficiently and adhere to the budget. For NASA, this provides a high degree of cost certainty. However, for highly complex or R&D-intensive projects where scope may evolve, FFP can sometimes stifle innovation if contractors become overly risk-averse. In this case, with a defined Phase A scope, FFP is a suitable choice for cost control.
What are the historical spending patterns for similar planetary science instrument development by NASA?
NASA's historical spending on planetary science instruments varies significantly based on mission complexity and scope. Smaller missions or individual instrument packages for larger missions can range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars for development. For instance, instruments for missions like the Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) or the upcoming Europa Clipper involved substantial investments, often exceeding $100 million for multiple complex instruments. Phase A contracts, like this one for DAVINCI+, represent the initial, smaller portion of that overall investment, focusing on design and feasibility. Spending is typically allocated across multiple fiscal years, reflecting the long development timelines.
What is the significance of the 'Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing' NAICS code in relation to this contract?
The NAICS code 334511, 'Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing,' is highly relevant to this contract. It signifies that the primary business activity of the contractor, Malin Space Science Systems, involves the design and manufacturing of sophisticated instruments used for scientific observation, detection, and potentially guidance systems, which aligns perfectly with the development of scientific instruments for a space mission like DAVINCI+. This code indicates a specialized industry focused on high-technology systems and instruments.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: NNH19ZDA010O
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 5880 PACIFIC CENTER BLVD, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92121
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $8,220,963
Exercised Options: $8,220,963
Current Obligation: $7,069,335
Actual Outlays: $4,028,335
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-05-27
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2026-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-31
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