NASA awards $7.8M contract for polarized submillimeter ice-cloud radiometer cubesats to Blue Canyon Technologies
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,839,579 ($7.8M)
Contractor: Blue Canyon Technologies LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-04-12
End Date: 2028-01-30
Contract Duration: 1,388 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THIS IS A LETTER CONTRACT FOR POLARIZED SUBMILLIMETER ICE-CLOUD RADIOMETER (POLSIR). THE MISSION CALLS FOR TWO 12-U SPACECRAFT, EACH CARRYING A DUAL-FREQUENCY POLARIMETRIC RADIOMETER. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR THE BUILT OF THE TWO 12-U CUBESATS.
Place of Performance
Location: LAFAYETTE, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80026
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $7.8 million to BLUE CANYON TECHNOLOGIES LLC for work described as: THIS IS A LETTER CONTRACT FOR POLARIZED SUBMILLIMETER ICE-CLOUD RADIOMETER (POLSIR). THE MISSION CALLS FOR TWO 12-U SPACECRAFT, EACH CARRYING A DUAL-FREQUENCY POLARIMETRIC RADIOMETER. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR THE BUILT OF THE TWO 12-U CUBESATS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on the build of two 12U cubesats for the POLSIR mission. 2. The mission aims to gather data on polarized submillimeter ice-cloud radiometry. 3. This award represents a significant investment in Earth observation capabilities. 4. The contract duration extends through January 2028. 5. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty. 6. The cubesat form factor suggests a potentially more cost-effective approach to space missions.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $7.8 million for two cubesats appears reasonable given the complexity of space-bound instrumentation. Benchmarking against similar small satellite development contracts, especially those involving advanced sensor payloads, suggests this pricing is competitive. The firm fixed-price structure further enhances value by mitigating cost overrun risks for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple capable vendors had the opportunity to bid. With five bids received, the competition level suggests a healthy market for this type of specialized satellite development. This level of competition is generally favorable for achieving competitive pricing and innovative solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces, and it provides NASA with access to the best available technology.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's Earth science research division by providing critical data on ice clouds. Enhances understanding of climate patterns and atmospheric conditions. The cubesats will be launched into Earth orbit, providing global data coverage. Supports the development of advanced remote sensing technologies. Potentially leads to advancements in weather forecasting and climate modeling.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for schedule delays in complex satellite development.
- Ensuring payload integration and calibration meet scientific requirements.
- Long-term operational viability and data transmission reliability of cubesats.
Positive Signals
- Blue Canyon Technologies' established expertise in cubesat development.
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
- Full and open competition likely secured competitive pricing.
- Clear mission objectives for the POLSIR instrument.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing sector, a specialized area of aerospace. This sector is characterized by high technological barriers to entry and significant R&D investment. Spending in this area supports national security and scientific advancement, with cubesats representing a growing segment focused on cost-efficiency and rapid deployment for various applications, including Earth observation.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The prime contractor, Blue Canyon Technologies, is a significant player in the cubesat market. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain for components or specialized services.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is a definitive contract awarded by NASA, which is subject to standard government oversight. NASA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by limiting potential cost increases.
Related Government Programs
- Earth Observing System
- Small Satellite Programs
- Climate Monitoring Satellites
- Remote Sensing Technology Development
Risk Flags
- Potential for schedule slippage in complex space hardware development.
- Ensuring long-term data quality and instrument calibration.
- Reliance on specific component suppliers for specialized sensors.
Tags
earth-observation, nasa, cubesat, space-vehicle-manufacturing, scientific-instrumentation, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, small-satellite, remote-sensing, climate-research, colorado, definitive-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $7.8 million to BLUE CANYON TECHNOLOGIES LLC. THIS IS A LETTER CONTRACT FOR POLARIZED SUBMILLIMETER ICE-CLOUD RADIOMETER (POLSIR). THE MISSION CALLS FOR TWO 12-U SPACECRAFT, EACH CARRYING A DUAL-FREQUENCY POLARIMETRIC RADIOMETER. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR THE BUILT OF THE TWO 12-U CUBESATS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BLUE CANYON TECHNOLOGIES LLC.
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 $7.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-04-12. End: 2028-01-30.
What is the specific scientific objective of the POLSIR mission and how will the data collected by these cubesats contribute to climate research?
The POLSIR (Polarized Submillimeter Ice-Cloud Radiometer) mission aims to provide unprecedented data on the microphysical properties of ice clouds in Earth's atmosphere. Specifically, it will measure the polarization signature of microwave radiation emitted by ice clouds at submillimeter wavelengths. This data is crucial for improving climate models by providing a more accurate representation of cloud radiative effects, which are a major source of uncertainty in climate projections. Understanding the size, shape, and phase of ice crystals within clouds is vital for predicting their impact on Earth's energy balance and precipitation patterns. The two 12U cubesats will offer enhanced spatial and temporal coverage, allowing for more comprehensive analysis of global cloud systems.
How does the cost of developing and building these two cubesats compare to traditional, larger Earth observation satellites for similar scientific objectives?
Developing and building two 12U cubesats for the POLSIR mission at a total cost of approximately $7.8 million represents a significantly more cost-effective approach compared to traditional, larger Earth observation satellites. Larger satellites, often weighing thousands of kilograms and costing hundreds of millions to billions of dollars, typically offer greater payload capacity and longer operational lifespans. However, cubesats leverage miniaturization and standardized form factors to drastically reduce development, manufacturing, and launch costs. While they may have limitations in sensor sophistication or longevity, they enable more frequent and distributed missions, allowing for rapid technological iteration and broader scientific data acquisition at a fraction of the cost of legacy systems.
What are the key technical challenges associated with building and launching cubesats equipped with sensitive radiometer instruments like the one for POLSIR?
Building and launching cubesats with sensitive radiometer instruments like the POLSIR payload presents several technical challenges. Miniaturization is paramount; fitting complex electronics, antennas, and detectors into the constrained 12U form factor requires highly integrated designs. Thermal management is critical, as sensitive instruments must operate within precise temperature ranges, which is difficult to maintain in the harsh space environment. Power constraints are also significant, requiring efficient power generation and distribution systems. Furthermore, ensuring the stability and calibration of the radiometer over the mission's duration is essential for data quality, especially given the potential for environmental factors within the cubesat to affect instrument performance. Finally, reliable deployment and communication from orbit must be guaranteed.
What is Blue Canyon Technologies' track record in developing and delivering successful cubesat missions for government agencies, particularly NASA?
Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT) has a strong and growing track record in developing and delivering successful cubesat missions, particularly for NASA and other government agencies. The company is known for its rapid development cycles and its focus on providing high-performance, cost-effective small satellite solutions. BCT has successfully designed, built, and launched numerous cubesats for various applications, including Earth observation, technology demonstration, and scientific research. Their experience includes providing complete satellite systems, from bus design to payload integration and ground operations. NASA has previously contracted with BCT for cubesat development, indicating confidence in their capabilities to meet mission requirements and deliver reliable spacecraft.
Given the firm fixed-price nature of this contract, what are the potential risks for the contractor if development costs exceed initial estimates?
In a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract, the contractor assumes the primary risk for cost overruns. If Blue Canyon Technologies' development costs for the POLSIR cubesats exceed their initial estimates, the company will be responsible for absorbing those additional expenses. This could impact their profit margin or even lead to a financial loss on the contract. Potential reasons for cost overruns could include unforeseen technical challenges, material price increases, labor cost escalations, or schedule delays that increase overhead. To mitigate this risk, contractors typically conduct thorough cost estimations, build in contingency reserves, and implement strict project management controls. However, significant unexpected issues can still strain the contractor's financial resources.
How does the number of bids received (5) in this full and open competition influence the perceived value for taxpayer money?
Receiving five bids in a full and open competition for the POLSIR cubesat contract is a positive indicator for taxpayer value. A higher number of bids generally suggests a more competitive marketplace, where multiple companies are vying for the contract. This competition typically drives down prices as bidders strive to offer the most attractive combination of cost and technical merit. It also increases the likelihood that NASA will select a solution that represents the best overall value, rather than settling for a proposal due to a lack of alternatives. The presence of five bidders implies that NASA had a good selection of capable vendors, increasing confidence that the awarded price of $7.8 million is a fair market rate and that taxpayer funds are being used efficiently.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNH17ZDA004O-EVI6
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2550 CRESCENT DR, LAFAYETTE, CO, 80026
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $12,079,208
Exercised Options: $9,618,060
Current Obligation: $7,839,579
Actual Outlays: $5,883,052
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 3
Total Subaward Amount: $396,566
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-04-12
Current End Date: 2028-01-30
Potential End Date: 2028-01-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-27
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