NASA Awards $9M Contract for Advanced STIS Instrument for Interplanetary Mission
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,032,015 ($9.0M)
Contractor: Regents of the University of California, the
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2020-04-30
End Date: 2026-08-31
Contract Duration: 2,314 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE STIS INSTRUMENT IS AN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY SCIENTIFIC-GRADE FLIGHT INSTRUMENT THAT WILL BE DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED TO OPERATE IN THE INTERPLANETARY ENVIRONMENT AT LAGRANGE L1 APPROXIMATELY 1M MILES FROM EARTH TOWARDS THE SUN ON THE EARTH-SUN LINE
Place of Performance
Location: BERKELEY, ALAMEDA County, CALIFORNIA, 94710
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $9.0 million to REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, THE for work described as: THE STIS INSTRUMENT IS AN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY SCIENTIFIC-GRADE FLIGHT INSTRUMENT THAT WILL BE DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED TO OPERATE IN THE INTERPLANETARY ENVIRONMENT AT LAGRANGE L1 APPROXIMATELY 1M MILES FROM EARTH TOWARDS THE SUN ON THE EARTH-SUN LINE Key points: 1. The STIS instrument is critical for interplanetary observation at Lagrange L1. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type is 'Cost No Fee', which shifts risk to the contractor. 4. The sector is primarily aerospace and scientific instrument development.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $9.03M for a scientific-grade flight instrument is within a reasonable range for advanced space technology development. Benchmarking against similar complex instrument contracts is difficult without more specific technical details, but the cost appears to be a fair reflection of the R&D involved.
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 bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a critical scientific mission aimed at advancing space observation capabilities.
Public Impact
Enhances Earth-Sun line observation capabilities from a unique vantage point. Supports NASA's scientific research goals and understanding of the interplanetary environment. The instrument's development could lead to technological advancements with broader applications.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost No Fee contract places cost overrun risk on the contractor.
- Long contract duration (2020-2026) increases exposure to potential scope creep or unforeseen technical challenges.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Development of advanced scientific instrumentation for space exploration.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on the development of advanced scientific instruments for space missions. Spending in this area is driven by government research and development initiatives and is highly specialized.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the awardee is 'REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, THE', which is a large research institution, not a small business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by NASA, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms for research and development contracts. The 'Cost No Fee' structure implies contractor accountability for managing costs within the awarded amount.
Related Government Programs
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration increases risk of schedule delays and cost escalation.
- Cost No Fee contract places significant financial risk on the contractor.
- Complexity of developing a scientific-grade instrument for an interplanetary environment.
- Dependence on a single awardee for a critical component.
Tags
guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufac, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $9.0 million to REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, THE. THE STIS INSTRUMENT IS AN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY SCIENTIFIC-GRADE FLIGHT INSTRUMENT THAT WILL BE DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED TO OPERATE IN THE INTERPLANETARY ENVIRONMENT AT LAGRANGE L1 APPROXIMATELY 1M MILES FROM EARTH TOWARDS THE SUN ON THE EARTH-SUN LINE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, THE.
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 $9.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-04-30. End: 2026-08-31.
What is the specific scientific return expected from the STIS instrument at Lagrange L1, and how does it justify the investment?
The STIS instrument is designed for scientific-grade observation in the interplanetary environment at Lagrange L1, approximately 1 million miles from Earth. This unique vantage point allows for continuous observation of the Sun and its influence without Earth's atmospheric interference or the orbital constraints of other platforms. The expected scientific return includes enhanced data on solar activity, space weather, and fundamental astrophysical phenomena, justifying the investment by advancing our understanding of the Sun-Earth system and potentially improving space weather forecasting.
Given the 'Cost No Fee' contract type, what are the primary risks associated with cost overruns for NASA, and how are they mitigated?
With a 'Cost No Fee' contract, the contractor (Regents of the University of California) bears the financial risk of cost overruns. NASA's primary risk is not direct financial loss but potential delays or performance issues if the contractor struggles to absorb unexpected costs. Mitigation strategies include rigorous oversight of contractor progress, regular reviews of cost estimates and expenditures, and clear contractual milestones. NASA also relies on the contractor's institutional commitment and reputation to manage the project effectively.
How does the development of the STIS instrument contribute to NASA's broader strategic goals in space exploration and scientific discovery?
The STIS instrument directly supports NASA's strategic goals by providing advanced observational capabilities in a critical, under-explored region of space. Its deployment at Lagrange L1 will yield unique data on solar dynamics and space weather, crucial for protecting astronauts and assets in space, and for understanding fundamental astrophysical processes. This contributes to NASA's mission of scientific discovery and technological innovation, pushing the boundaries of our knowledge about the Sun-Earth connection and the interplanetary environment.
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: 80GSFC19R0033
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1608 4TH ST STE 220, BERKELEY, CA, 94710
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $9,032,015
Exercised Options: $9,032,015
Current Obligation: $9,032,015
Actual Outlays: $8,766,083
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-04-30
Current End Date: 2026-08-31
Potential End Date: 2026-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-15
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