Dartmouth College awarded $2.68M research contract for magnetotail and aurora investigation by NASA
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,678,651 ($2.7M)
Contractor: Trustees of Dartmouth College
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-05-17
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 774 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE CROSS-SCALE INVESTIGATION OF EARTH'S MAGNETOTAIL AND AURORA (CINEMA)
Place of Performance
Location: HANOVER, GRAFTON County, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03755
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.7 million to TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE for work described as: THE CROSS-SCALE INVESTIGATION OF EARTH'S MAGNETOTAIL AND AURORA (CINEMA) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on fundamental scientific research, a key area for NASA's exploration goals. 2. The award represents a modest investment within the broader federal R&D landscape. 3. Research and Development in Physical Sciences is a competitive field with numerous academic institutions. 4. The contract duration of over 5 years suggests a long-term research objective. 5. Performance will be monitored by NASA, indicating a level of oversight for this scientific endeavor. 6. The specific research area is niche, contributing to a deeper understanding of space physics.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.68 million for a 774-day research period appears reasonable for a specialized scientific investigation. Benchmarking against similar NASA research grants for space physics or atmospheric studies would provide more precise value-for-money assessment. Given the nature of academic research, direct comparisons to commercial contracts are not applicable. The 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type suggests that the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs without an additional profit margin, which can be cost-effective for the government in certain research scenarios.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit proposals. The presence of 11 proposals suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this research opportunity. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and selection of the most qualified offeror, which in this case is Dartmouth College.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that likely ensures the most innovative and cost-effective research approach is selected, maximizing the return on investment for scientific advancement.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the scientific community and the public, through advancements in understanding Earth's magnetotail and aurora. The research delivered will contribute to fundamental knowledge in space physics and atmospheric science. The geographic impact is primarily within New Hampshire, where Dartmouth College is located, but the scientific findings have global implications. The contract supports academic researchers and potentially graduate students, contributing to the training of future scientists.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for research findings to be highly specialized and difficult for the general public to understand.
- Long-term nature of research may mean tangible benefits are not immediately apparent.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
- Dartmouth College has a strong academic reputation, suggesting a high likelihood of successful research outcomes.
- The contract type (Cost No Fee) can be cost-effective for the government in research settings.
- The research topic is aligned with NASA's core mission of space exploration and scientific discovery.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences related to space physics. The market for such specialized research is primarily academic institutions and research organizations. Federal spending in this area supports fundamental scientific inquiry, often leading to long-term technological advancements and a deeper understanding of natural phenomena. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other NASA grants or NSF awards for similar space science research.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve a small business set-aside, nor is there information suggesting significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The primary contractor is an academic institution, and the nature of the work is highly specialized research, which typically does not lend itself to extensive subcontracting with small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's Office of Procurement and relevant program offices will provide oversight for this contract. Accountability will be measured through the successful completion of research milestones and deliverables as outlined in the contract. Transparency is maintained through public reporting of research findings and adherence to federal contracting regulations. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Heliophysics Research Programs
- National Science Foundation (NSF) - Geospace Sciences
- Research and Development in Physical Sciences
Risk Flags
- Scientific Uncertainty
- Long-term Research Benefits
Tags
research-and-development, space-science, nasa, academic-research, full-and-open-competition, cost-no-fee, definitive-contract, new-hampshire, physical-sciences, magnetotail, aurora
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.7 million to TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE. THE CROSS-SCALE INVESTIGATION OF EARTH'S MAGNETOTAIL AND AURORA (CINEMA)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE.
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 $2.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-05-17. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the track record of Trustees of Dartmouth College in securing and executing federal research grants, particularly with NASA?
The Trustees of Dartmouth College, as an academic institution, have a long history of securing and executing federal research grants across various scientific disciplines. While specific data on their NASA contract history isn't provided here, major research universities like Dartmouth typically have extensive experience managing federal awards. This includes adhering to strict financial and reporting requirements, managing research personnel, and disseminating findings through publications and presentations. Their success in obtaining this contract suggests a strong proposal and a demonstrated capability to conduct the proposed research effectively, aligning with NASA's expectations for scientific rigor and project management.
How does the $2.68 million contract value compare to similar NASA research contracts in space physics or atmospheric science?
The $2.68 million contract value for a 774-day research period (approximately 2 years) is within a typical range for specialized scientific research grants awarded by agencies like NASA. Projects focusing on fundamental physics, such as investigating Earth's magnetotail and aurora, often require significant personnel time, specialized equipment, and data analysis capabilities. While exact comparisons require access to a database of similar contracts, awards for theoretical physics, observational astronomy, or atmospheric modeling can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and complexity. This award appears to be a moderate-sized investment for a focused scientific inquiry.
What are the primary risks associated with this research contract, and how are they mitigated?
Primary risks include scientific uncertainty (research may not yield expected results), technical challenges in data collection or analysis, and potential delays due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., equipment failure, personnel changes). Mitigation strategies typically involve robust project planning, phased research approaches with clear milestones, contingency planning for technical issues, and strong project management by Dartmouth College. NASA's oversight, including regular progress reports and reviews, also serves to identify and address risks proactively, ensuring the project stays on track and achieves its scientific objectives.
How effective is the 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type for this type of fundamental research?
The 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type is often used for fundamental research where the primary goal is scientific discovery rather than a specific deliverable with a fixed profit margin. For the government, CNF can be cost-effective as it eliminates the contractor's profit, reimbursing only allowable costs. For the contractor (Dartmouth College), it means they are not incentivized by profit but rather by the pursuit of knowledge and the successful completion of the research objectives. This type of contract is suitable when the scope of work is inherently uncertain and the focus is on exploration and understanding, aligning well with basic scientific inquiry.
What are the historical spending patterns for NASA's research and development in physical sciences, and how does this contract fit in?
NASA consistently allocates a significant portion of its budget to Research and Development (R&D), with a substantial focus on physical sciences, including space physics, astrophysics, and Earth science. Historical spending patterns show a continuous investment in understanding fundamental processes in space. This $2.68 million contract for investigating Earth's magnetotail and aurora fits within this established pattern, representing a specific project contributing to NASA's broader Heliophysics mission. It is a typical award size for a focused, multi-year academic research project within this domain, reflecting ongoing federal commitment to advancing scientific knowledge.
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: NNH22ZDA016O
Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7 LEBANON ST, HANOVER, NH, 03755
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,678,651
Exercised Options: $2,678,651
Current Obligation: $2,678,651
Actual Outlays: $568,414
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-05-17
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-29
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