NASA Awards Vanderbilt University $2.74M for Polarized Submillimeter Ice-Cloud Radiometer Mission Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,741,717 ($2.7M)
Contractor: Vanderbilt University
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-11-27
End Date: 2030-03-31
Contract Duration: 2,316 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR AND SCIENCE MANAGEMENT TEAM SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE POLARIZED SUBMILLIMETER ICE-CLOUD RADIOMETER INSTRUMENT MISSION FOR THE NASA LIFE CYCLE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION PHASES A THOUGH F.
Place of Performance
Location: NASHVILLE, DAVIDSON County, TENNESSEE, 37235
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.7 million to VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY for work described as: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR AND SCIENCE MANAGEMENT TEAM SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE POLARIZED SUBMILLIMETER ICE-CLOUD RADIOMETER INSTRUMENT MISSION FOR THE NASA LIFE CYCLE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION PHASES A THOUGH F. Key points: 1. Contract supports management of a key NASA instrument mission through its lifecycle. 2. Focus on research and development in physical sciences, aligning with NASA's scientific goals. 3. Potential for significant scientific discovery and advancement in cloud and climate research. 4. Long-term contract duration suggests sustained need and potential for follow-on work.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.74M over approximately 6.4 years appears reasonable for specialized scientific management and principal investigator support. Benchmarking against similar R&D support contracts for complex scientific instruments is difficult without more specific data, but the cost seems aligned with the expertise required.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method allows multiple qualified entities to bid, promoting competitive pricing and ensuring the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for critical scientific research and development.
Public Impact
Advancement of climate science through improved ice-cloud data. Support for a critical NASA mission, contributing to space exploration and Earth observation. Investment in advanced scientific instrumentation and research capabilities. Potential for technological spin-offs from instrument development and management. Development of specialized expertise within the research institution.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- Reliance on a single institution for critical mission support may pose a risk if institutional capacity changes.
- Potential for unforeseen technical challenges in instrument management.
Positive Signals
- Strong alignment with NASA's scientific objectives.
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
- Experienced principal investigator and management team likely to ensure mission success.
- Focus on a critical area of climate science research.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement and understanding complex phenomena like Earth's climate. Benchmarks for similar PI and management support contracts are highly variable based on instrument complexity and mission scope.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Vanderbilt University, a large research institution. There is no indication of specific subcontracting goals for small businesses within this award, suggesting limited direct impact on the small business sector for this particular contract.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's robust oversight mechanisms, including program management reviews and financial audits, are expected to ensure accountability and effective use of funds. The long duration necessitates continuous monitoring of performance and adherence to contract terms.
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
- Potential for cost overruns due to long duration.
- Risk of institutional capacity changes affecting support.
- Dependency on specific scientific expertise.
- Unforeseen technical challenges in instrument management.
- Potential for scope creep over the contract period.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, tn, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.7 million to VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR AND SCIENCE MANAGEMENT TEAM SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE POLARIZED SUBMILLIMETER ICE-CLOUD RADIOMETER INSTRUMENT MISSION FOR THE NASA LIFE CYCLE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION PHASES A THOUGH F.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY.
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: 2023-11-27. End: 2030-03-31.
What is the specific scientific impact expected from the data gathered by the Polarized Submillimeter Ice-Cloud Radiometer?
The data is expected to significantly improve our understanding of ice cloud properties, which are crucial for accurate climate modeling. By providing more precise measurements of ice water content, particle size, and radiative properties, the instrument will help refine climate change projections and improve weather forecasting models, ultimately contributing to better climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
What are the primary risks associated with the long-term management of this scientific instrument mission?
Key risks include potential technological obsolescence of the instrument over its long lifecycle, challenges in maintaining consistent scientific expertise and institutional commitment, and the possibility of budget fluctuations within NASA that could impact mission priorities. Furthermore, unforeseen environmental factors during deployment or operation could necessitate costly repairs or modifications, impacting the overall value proposition.
How effectively will this contract contribute to NASA's broader goals in Earth science and climate research?
This contract is highly effective in supporting NASA's Earth science and climate research goals by ensuring the successful management and operation of a key instrument. The PI and management team's expertise are vital for data quality and mission longevity. This directly contributes to NASA's objective of understanding Earth's climate system and providing critical data for policymakers and the scientific community.
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: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: NNH17ZDA004O-EVI6
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: THE Vanderbilt University
Address: 2301 VANDERBILT PL PMB 401671, NASHVILLE, TN, 37235
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not 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: $7,654,253
Exercised Options: $7,654,253
Current Obligation: $2,741,717
Actual Outlays: $1,069,277
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $34,748
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-11-27
Current End Date: 2030-03-31
Potential End Date: 2030-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-06
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