NASA's JEDI Effort: $15.5M for EUV Coronal Diagnostics, Phase A
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,504,940 ($15.5M)
Contractor: Southwest Research Institute
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-08-30
End Date: 2026-05-23
Contract Duration: 631 days
Daily Burn Rate: $24.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: JOINT EUV CORONAL DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION (JEDI) EFFORT. PHASE A WORK INCLUDES INSTRUMENT REQUIREMENTS DEFINITION, INSTRUMENT MANAGEMENT, SYSTEM ENGINEERING, INSTRUMENT SAFETY & MISSION ASSURANCE, AND SYSTEM INTEGRATION PLANNING.
Place of Performance
Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78238
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $15.5 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE for work described as: JOINT EUV CORONAL DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION (JEDI) EFFORT. PHASE A WORK INCLUDES INSTRUMENT REQUIREMENTS DEFINITION, INSTRUMENT MANAGEMENT, SYSTEM ENGINEERING, INSTRUMENT SAFETY & MISSION ASSURANCE, AND SYSTEM INTEGRATION PLANNING. Key points: 1. Focuses on critical instrument development for solar observation. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting market availability. 3. Risk is moderate, tied to R&D and complex instrument requirements. 4. Sector is R&D, specifically physical and engineering sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $15.5M for Phase A seems reasonable given the scope of requirements definition, system engineering, and integration planning for a complex scientific instrument. Benchmarking is difficult without specific comparable NASA instrument development contracts.
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 could bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced scientific research and development, aiming to improve our understanding of the sun, which can have long-term benefits.
Public Impact
Enhances understanding of the sun's extreme ultraviolet (EUV) corona. Supports NASA's scientific exploration and space weather research. Potential for technological advancements in diagnostic instrumentation. Contributes to the broader field of astrophysics and heliophysics.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- R&D inherent risks
- Complex instrument requirements
- Phase A scope limitations
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Experienced agency (NASA)
- Clear project objectives
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement and scientific discovery, with benchmarks varying widely based on project complexity and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had opportunities to participate as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's established procurement processes and oversight mechanisms are expected to ensure accountability for this contract. Regular reviews and reporting should track progress and manage risks effectively.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Technical complexity of EUV instrumentation
- Potential for schedule delays in R&D
- Reliance on specific scientific expertise
- Integration challenges with existing systems
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, tx, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $15.5 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE. JOINT EUV CORONAL DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION (JEDI) EFFORT. PHASE A WORK INCLUDES INSTRUMENT REQUIREMENTS DEFINITION, INSTRUMENT MANAGEMENT, SYSTEM ENGINEERING, INSTRUMENT SAFETY & MISSION ASSURANCE, AND SYSTEM INTEGRATION PLANNING.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE.
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 $15.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-08-30. End: 2026-05-23.
What is the expected scientific return on investment for the JEDI effort?
The JEDI effort aims to provide unprecedented data on the sun's EUV corona, crucial for understanding solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and space weather. This improved understanding can lead to better prediction models, protecting satellites and astronauts, and advancing fundamental heliophysics knowledge.
What are the primary technical risks associated with developing the JEDI instrument?
Key technical risks include achieving the required sensitivity and resolution for EUV detection, ensuring instrument survivability in the space environment, and successfully integrating complex subsystems. Managing these risks will require rigorous engineering, testing, and adherence to safety protocols throughout the development lifecycle.
How does the Phase A scope align with the overall mission objectives of JEDI?
Phase A focuses on foundational elements like requirements definition, system engineering, and safety planning. This ensures the project starts with a solid technical baseline and a clear understanding of challenges, directly supporting the long-term mission goals by mitigating early-stage design and integration risks.
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: NNH23ZDA020O
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6220 CULEBRA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78238
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,504,940
Exercised Options: $15,504,940
Current Obligation: $15,504,940
Actual Outlays: $9,324,453
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 4
Total Subaward Amount: $370,405
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-08-30
Current End Date: 2026-05-23
Potential End Date: 2026-05-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-25
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