NASA Awards BAE Systems $103M for Space Weather Satellite Bus and Mission Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $103,083,000 ($103.1M)
Contractor: BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-02-24
End Date: 2035-02-24
Contract Duration: 3,652 days
Daily Burn Rate: $28.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: SPACE WEATHER NEXT LAGRANGE SERIES SPACECRAFT: SATELLITE BUS, SATELLITE INTEGRATION AND TEST SERVICES, SATELLITE LAUNCH SUPPORT AND COMMISSIONING SERVICES, MISSION OPERATIONS, DATA ACQUISITION, AND ROUTING SERVICES.
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80301
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $103.1 million to BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC. for work described as: SPACE WEATHER NEXT LAGRANGE SERIES SPACECRAFT: SATELLITE BUS, SATELLITE INTEGRATION AND TEST SERVICES, SATELLITE LAUNCH SUPPORT AND COMMISSIONING SERVICES, MISSION OPERATIONS, DATA ACQUISITION, AND ROUTING SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to BAE Systems for a critical space weather monitoring program. 2. The contract covers satellite bus, integration, launch support, and long-term mission operations. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The duration of the contract is 10 years, indicating a long-term commitment to space weather monitoring.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $103 million over 10 years appears reasonable for a complex satellite program involving manufacturing, integration, launch, and operations. Benchmarking against similar multi-year satellite development and operations contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and allows for a broad range of potential contractors to bid. This method is expected to yield fair market value.
Taxpayer Impact: The investment supports critical scientific and national security infrastructure, aiming to protect assets and provide advance warning of space weather events, thus mitigating potential economic disruption.
Public Impact
Enhances understanding and prediction of space weather events, crucial for protecting satellites, power grids, and communication systems. Supports national security by safeguarding military assets and operations from solar flares and geomagnetic storms. Drives innovation in satellite technology and space mission operations. Provides long-term employment and economic activity within the aerospace sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration may introduce risks related to technological obsolescence or changing mission requirements.
- Reliance on a single contractor for both development and long-term operations could pose integration challenges.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition suggests a robust procurement process.
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Long-term commitment ensures sustained capability for space weather monitoring.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing sector, a high-tech industry characterized by significant R&D investment and long development cycles. Spending benchmarks for similar satellite programs vary widely based on complexity and mission scope.
Small Business Impact
While the prime contractor is BAE Systems, a large aerospace company, the contract details do not specify subcontracting goals for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's procurement processes are generally subject to rigorous oversight from internal offices and external bodies like the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The long duration of this contract will require sustained oversight to ensure performance and cost control.
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 (10 years)
- Potential for technological obsolescence
- Reliance on a single prime contractor for multiple phases
- Lack of specific small business participation goals mentioned
Tags
guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufac, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, co, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $103.1 million to BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC.. SPACE WEATHER NEXT LAGRANGE SERIES SPACECRAFT: SATELLITE BUS, SATELLITE INTEGRATION AND TEST SERVICES, SATELLITE LAUNCH SUPPORT AND COMMISSIONING SERVICES, MISSION OPERATIONS, DATA ACQUISITION, AND ROUTING SERVICES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC..
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 $103.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-02-24. End: 2035-02-24.
What specific technological advancements does this satellite series aim to achieve compared to existing space weather monitoring capabilities?
The provided data does not detail the specific technological advancements of the SPACE WEATHER NEXT LAGRANGE SERIES SPACECRAFT. However, the 'NEXT' designation implies an upgrade or successor to current systems, likely incorporating improved sensor technology, data processing capabilities, or orbital positioning for enhanced observation and prediction accuracy of space weather phenomena.
What are the primary risks associated with the 10-year mission operations phase, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks in the 10-year operations phase include satellite component degradation, unforeseen space debris, evolving space weather patterns, and potential cybersecurity threats. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust onboard diagnostics, redundant systems, adaptive mission planning, and stringent security protocols, though specific details are not provided in the summary data.
How does the firm fixed price structure impact the government's ability to manage potential cost overruns during the satellite integration and test phase?
A firm fixed price (FFP) contract shifts most of the cost risk to the contractor, BAE Systems. This structure provides the government with significant cost certainty for the defined scope. However, if unforeseen technical challenges arise during integration and testing that are outside the contract's scope, or if the contractor underestimated costs, it could lead to disputes or potential impacts on quality if not managed carefully.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1600 COMMERCE ST UNIT 1, BOULDER, CO, 80301
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $230,629,000
Exercised Options: $182,668,523
Current Obligation: $103,083,000
Actual Outlays: $63,050,675
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 3
Total Subaward Amount: $10,636,708
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80GSFC20D0017
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-02-24
Current End Date: 2035-02-24
Potential End Date: 2035-02-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-15
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