NASA's MUSE Mission Phase A contract awarded to Lockheed Martin for $215M, focusing on R&D in physical sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $214,759,527 ($214.8M)
Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2021-04-26
End Date: 2027-07-01
Contract Duration: 2,257 days
Daily Burn Rate: $95.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 13
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MULTI-SLIT SOLAR EXPLORER (MUSE) MISSION PHASE A
Place of Performance
Location: PALO ALTO, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94304
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $214.8 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION for work described as: MULTI-SLIT SOLAR EXPLORER (MUSE) MISSION PHASE A Key points: 1. The contract value of $215M for a multi-year R&D mission suggests a significant investment in space exploration technology. 2. Lockheed Martin, a major aerospace contractor, is positioned to deliver complex technological solutions. 3. The R&D focus indicates potential for innovation but also inherent risks associated with early-stage development. 4. The contract duration of approximately 6 years aligns with typical phases of advanced space mission development. 5. The primary sector is Research and Development, specifically in physical sciences, indicating a focus on fundamental scientific advancement. 6. The contract's performance period spans from April 2021 to July 2027, covering critical development and testing phases.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $215M for a Phase A mission development is substantial and aligns with the complexity of space exploration projects. Benchmarking against similar NASA R&D contracts for exploratory missions would provide further context on value for money. Given the early phase, detailed cost comparisons are difficult, but the fixed-fee component suggests some cost control incentives.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders likely had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to drive better pricing and innovation. The number of bidders (13) suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this significant NASA contract.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and a wider range of technological approaches.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the scientific community, who will gain insights from the MUSE mission's data. The contract supports the development of advanced solar exploration technology, potentially leading to new scientific discoveries. The geographic impact is national, with potential for global scientific collaboration and data sharing. The contract will likely involve a specialized workforce of engineers, scientists, and technicians, contributing to the aerospace sector's employment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- R&D contracts inherently carry technical risks that could impact project timelines and outcomes.
- The long duration of the contract increases the potential for cost overruns if unforeseen challenges arise.
- Reliance on a single prime contractor, even with competition, can introduce single points of failure in complex projects.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- Lockheed Martin has a strong track record in aerospace and defense, indicating technical capability.
- The contract is for Phase A, which is an early stage, allowing for flexibility and adaptation.
Sector Analysis
The Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector is a critical area for technological advancement and scientific discovery. NASA's spending in this area, particularly on space exploration missions like MUSE, represents a significant portion of federal R&D investment. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale scientific instrument development contracts within NASA and other federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication of small business set-asides for this contract. However, as a large prime contract awarded to a major corporation, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. The extent of small business subcontracting will depend on Lockheed Martin's procurement practices and the specific needs of the MUSE mission.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Mechanisms likely include regular progress reports, milestone reviews, and financial audits. Transparency is expected through NASA's public communications regarding mission progress. The Inspector General's office of NASA would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Science Mission Directorate
- Heliophysics Research Program
- Advanced Technology Development and Demonstration
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to R&D nature
- Technical feasibility risks in early development
- Long contract duration increases exposure to unforeseen issues
Tags
nasa, lockheed-martin-corporation, research-and-development, physical-sciences, space-exploration, definitive-contract, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, california, large-contract, heliophysics, multi-slit-solar-explorer
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $214.8 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION. MULTI-SLIT SOLAR EXPLORER (MUSE) MISSION PHASE A
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION.
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 $214.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-04-26. End: 2027-07-01.
What is Lockheed Martin's track record with NASA on similar large-scale R&D contracts?
Lockheed Martin Corporation has a long and extensive history of working with NASA on numerous complex space missions and research and development projects. They have been a prime contractor for various spacecraft, instruments, and systems, including components for the James Webb Space Telescope, Orion spacecraft, and numerous satellite programs. Their experience spans across different mission phases, from initial concept and design through to operations. NASA's selection of Lockheed Martin for the MUSE Mission Phase A suggests confidence in their technical capabilities, project management expertise, and ability to deliver on challenging scientific and engineering endeavors. A detailed review of their past performance on cost, schedule, and technical objectives for comparable NASA contracts would provide a more granular assessment of their suitability for this specific project.
How does the $215M contract value compare to other NASA Phase A missions?
The $215 million contract value for the MUSE Mission Phase A is substantial, reflecting the complexity and ambition of developing a new solar explorer. Phase A typically involves preliminary studies, concept development, and technology maturation. Comparing this value requires careful consideration of the mission's scientific objectives, technological requirements, and the scope of work defined for Phase A. Generally, Phase A contracts for major space science missions can range from tens of millions to over a hundred million dollars, depending on the scale and novelty of the endeavor. Given that MUSE is a significant scientific undertaking, this figure appears to be within the expected range for a mission of this nature, though specific benchmarks would necessitate access to detailed cost breakdowns and comparisons with missions of similar scientific scope and technological risk.
What are the primary technical risks associated with the MUSE Mission Phase A?
The primary technical risks associated with the MUSE Mission Phase A are inherent to the early stages of developing advanced space exploration technology. These risks include the feasibility of novel instrument designs, the development and integration of new sensor technologies, and ensuring the reliability of complex systems in the harsh space environment. There's also a risk associated with meeting the stringent performance requirements for solar observation, such as achieving the necessary resolution and sensitivity. Furthermore, the development of sophisticated data processing algorithms and software to interpret the collected data presents a significant technical challenge. Managing these risks will involve rigorous design reviews, prototyping, simulation, and potentially the development of new materials or manufacturing techniques.
What is the expected program effectiveness and scientific return from the MUSE mission?
The MUSE mission is expected to significantly enhance our understanding of the Sun's atmosphere and its dynamic processes. Its primary objective is to provide unprecedented high-resolution observations of solar phenomena, potentially leading to breakthroughs in areas such as solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and the solar wind. The scientific return is anticipated to be high, offering data that can improve space weather forecasting, which has critical implications for satellite operations, power grids, and astronaut safety. By studying the fundamental physics of the Sun, MUSE aims to contribute to broader astrophysical knowledge and potentially uncover new insights into stellar evolution and plasma physics. The effectiveness will be measured by the quality and quantity of scientific data acquired and its impact on the scientific community's understanding of solar activity.
Additional Analysis
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Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
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: NNH19ZDA013O
Offers Received: 13
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp
Address: 3251 HANOVER ST, PALO ALTO, CA, 94304
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $220,462,628
Exercised Options: $220,462,628
Current Obligation: $214,759,527
Actual Outlays: $172,720,169
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 132
Total Subaward Amount: $68,184,406
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-04-26
Current End Date: 2027-07-01
Potential End Date: 2027-07-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-13
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