University of Colorado awarded $5M for Libera Flight Instrument R&D, with a 435-day performance period
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,029,056 ($5.0M)
Contractor: THE Regents of the University of Colorado
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-12-20
End Date: 2026-02-28
Contract Duration: 435 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AT THE PAYLOAD SYSTEM LEVEL ASSEMBLY, INTEGRATION, ALIGNMENT, TEST, CHARACTERIZATION, CALIBRATION, VERIFICATION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALIFICATION FOR DELIVERY OF THE FULLY QUALIFIED LIBERA FLIGHT INSTRUMENT.
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80309
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $5.0 million to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO for work described as: ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AT THE PAYLOAD SYSTEM LEVEL ASSEMBLY, INTEGRATION, ALIGNMENT, TEST, CHARACTERIZATION, CALIBRATION, VERIFICATION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALIFICATION FOR DELIVERY OF THE FULLY QUALIFIED LIBERA FLIGHT INSTRUMENT. Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the specialized nature of the R&D, though detailed cost breakdowns are needed for a definitive assessment. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, primarily related to the technical complexity and timeline of advanced instrument development. 4. Performance context is within NASA's ongoing space exploration and research initiatives. 5. Sector positioning is in advanced aerospace R&D, a critical area for national technological advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $5.03 million for the Libera Flight Instrument's assembly, integration, test, and qualification is within a reasonable range for specialized aerospace R&D. Benchmarking against similar NASA contracts for instrument development indicates that costs can vary significantly based on complexity and technology readiness levels. Without detailed cost breakdowns and specific performance metrics, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the price appears aligned with the scope of work.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of a competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a robust competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces, ensuring that the government receives the best possible value for its investment in advanced research and development.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the scientific community, who will receive a critical component for future space missions. Services delivered include assembly, integration, testing, characterization, calibration, verification, and environmental qualification of the Libera Flight Instrument. The geographic impact is centered in Colorado, where the University of Colorado will perform the work, potentially creating or sustaining high-skilled jobs. Workforce implications include the engagement of specialized engineers, scientists, and technicians in cutting-edge aerospace research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for schedule delays in complex R&D projects.
- Ensuring the final instrument meets all stringent NASA specifications requires rigorous oversight.
- Cost overruns are a possibility in advanced technology development if unforeseen technical challenges arise.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable academic institution with a strong track record in aerospace research.
- Clear definition of deliverables and performance period.
- Full and open competition process likely ensures competitive pricing.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This area is crucial for advancing technological capabilities in aerospace and supporting NASA's mission objectives. The market for such specialized instrument development is characterized by a limited number of highly qualified research institutions and aerospace contractors. Comparable spending benchmarks in this niche are difficult to establish precisely due to the unique nature of each project, but NASA's overall R&D budget reflects significant investment in such endeavors.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve a small business set-aside, as it was awarded to the Regents of the University of Colorado. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. The focus is on specialized R&D, which may limit direct opportunities for small businesses unless they are highly specialized subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), likely through program managers and contracting officers. Accountability measures are tied to the successful delivery of the qualified Libera Flight Instrument according to the specified technical requirements and schedule. Transparency is facilitated by NASA's public contract award data, though detailed internal project oversight mechanisms are not publicly disclosed.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Space Science Missions
- Aerospace Instrument Development
- University Research Grants
- Advanced Technology Development Programs
Risk Flags
- Technical Complexity
- Schedule Risk
- Performance Verification
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, colorado, full-and-open-competition, large-contract, aerospace, instrumentation, flight-hardware, university-research, cost-plus-fixed-fee
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $5.0 million to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AT THE PAYLOAD SYSTEM LEVEL ASSEMBLY, INTEGRATION, ALIGNMENT, TEST, CHARACTERIZATION, CALIBRATION, VERIFICATION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALIFICATION FOR DELIVERY OF THE FULLY QUALIFIED LIBERA FLIGHT INSTRUMENT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO.
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 $5.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-12-20. End: 2026-02-28.
What is the University of Colorado's track record with NASA on similar instrument development contracts?
The University of Colorado, particularly through its research institutes like the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), has a long and distinguished history of developing instruments for NASA missions. They have been involved in numerous space science projects, contributing to missions across various disciplines, including Earth observation, planetary science, and astrophysics. Their expertise spans instrument design, fabrication, calibration, and integration. While specific contract values and performance details for past projects are not detailed here, their consistent selection for complex NASA endeavors suggests a strong track record of successful performance and technical capability in delivering high-quality scientific instruments.
How does the $5.03 million contract value compare to similar NASA instrument development contracts?
Benchmarking the $5.03 million contract value for the Libera Flight Instrument requires comparison with contracts for similarly complex scientific payloads. NASA instrument development costs can range widely, from a few million dollars for simpler sensors to tens or hundreds of millions for large, sophisticated observatories or complex subsystems. Given that this contract covers assembly, integration, testing, characterization, calibration, verification, and environmental qualification, it represents a significant but not exceptionally high value for a critical flight instrument. Factors like technology readiness level, required precision, and the specific scientific objectives heavily influence cost. Without knowing the exact technical specifications and novelty of the Libera instrument, a precise comparison is difficult, but the value appears consistent with specialized R&D efforts in aerospace.
What are the primary technical risks associated with developing the Libera Flight Instrument?
The primary technical risks associated with developing the Libera Flight Instrument likely stem from the inherent complexities of advanced scientific instrumentation for space applications. These risks can include achieving the required sensitivity and accuracy for measurements, ensuring the instrument's robustness to withstand the harsh space environment (vacuum, radiation, temperature extremes), integrating novel or cutting-edge technologies that may not be fully mature, and meeting stringent mass, power, and data output requirements. Furthermore, the calibration and verification processes are critical and can uncover unforeseen issues. Successful mitigation of these risks relies on rigorous design reviews, thorough testing at component and system levels, and experienced engineering teams.
What is the expected impact of the Libera Flight Instrument on future NASA missions or scientific understanding?
The Libera Flight Instrument is expected to play a crucial role in advancing scientific understanding within its specific domain, though the exact scientific goals are not detailed in the provided data. Instruments like Libera are typically designed to gather novel data, improve the precision of existing measurements, or enable entirely new types of observations. Its successful development and integration into a flight mission could lead to breakthroughs in fields such as astrophysics, planetary science, Earth observation, or heliophysics. The data collected will inform scientific research, potentially leading to new theories, discoveries, and a deeper comprehension of the universe or our own planet.
What is the historical spending trend for R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences at NASA?
NASA's historical spending on Research and Development (R&D) in physical, engineering, and life sciences has been substantial and relatively consistent, reflecting the agency's core mission. While specific annual figures fluctuate based on budget allocations and program priorities, NASA consistently invests billions of dollars annually across these scientific and engineering domains. This spending supports a wide array of activities, including fundamental research, technology development, instrument design and fabrication, and mission operations. The 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' NAICS code (541715) captures a significant portion of this investment, indicating a sustained commitment to scientific inquiry and technological advancement critical for space exploration and Earth science.
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
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3100 MARINE ST STE 481 572 UCB, BOULDER, CO, 80309
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,029,056
Exercised Options: $5,029,056
Current Obligation: $5,029,056
Actual Outlays: $4,216,754
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80LARC20D0006
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-12-20
Current End Date: 2026-02-28
Potential End Date: 2026-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-02
More Contracts from THE Regents of the University of Colorado
- This Effort IS the Extension of the Definition Phase (phase B) for the Earth Observing System (EOS) Solar Stellar Irradiance Comparison Experiment (solstice). the Output of the Phase B Extension Will BE a Conceptual Design Cost Review (cdcr). the Statement of Work IS Broken Down Into Three Sections: Instrument, Science, and Science Computing Facility. This IS a Principal Investigator (PI) Experiment to Make Long-Term Solar Observations With the EOS Solstice Instrument. the Measurements Will Contribute to an Improved Understanding of the Variable Energy Input to the Earth's Atmosphere With Special Emphasis on the Sun's Influence on the Temperature, Structure, Dynamics and Chemistry of the Atmospheric System. a Fundamental and Specific USE of EOS, Representing a Substantial Change From Past Practice, IS the Production and Archiving of Data Sets for General Scientific USE. These Data Sets Will Contribute to the Construction of Interdisciplinary Science Products. This Effort Will Include Management of the Complete Program and ITS Coordination. in Phase C/D/E, the University of Colorado (UC) Shall Provide the Facilities, Materials, Services, and Personnel Necessary to Continue the Sorce Mission. UC Shall BE Responsible for Mission Operations and Shall BE Responsible for the Safety of the Instruments and the Spacecraft BUS Through a Subcontract Arrangement With the Spacecraft Provider (orbital Sciences Corporation). UC Shall Develop/Maintain Algorithms for Producing the Science Data Products AS Proposed and Approved by Nasa HQ. After the Science Products Have Been Validated, These Products Will BE Transferred to the Gsfc Data Achieve for Achieve and Distribution. the Ground System Used in the Sorce Mission Shall Meet ALL Nasa Security Requirements — $144.0M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Nasa Headquarters (HQ) Manages the Mars Exploration Program (MEP), Which Selected the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (maven) Project AS a Mars Scout Mission. the Maven Principal Investigator (PI) IS DR. Bruce Jakosky, of the University of Colorado, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (lasp) in Boulder, CO. the PI Will Have Overall Control of the Maven Project. HE Will Provide Science Leadership for the Maven Mission and Manage Education and Public Outreach. This Effort Applies to Lasp and Covers Phases a, B, C, D, and E of the Maven Mission. Under Phase a of This Contract, the Contractor IS Responsible for Schedule Management, Providing Technical Progress Reports, and Mission Reviews. Under Phase B, the Contractor IS Responsible for Supporting Requirements Analysis, Project Plans, Preliminary Design Reviews, Monthly Status Reviews, Quarterly Team Meetings, E/PO Activities, and the Preliminary Science Data Management Plan. Under Phases C and D, the Contractor IS Responsible for Supporting Monthly Status Reviews, Quarterly Team Reviews, Responding to Action Items That Result From Meetings/Reviews, Supporting Formal Reviews and Launch Site Activities, and Management of E/PO Activities. Under Phase E, the Contractor IS Responsible for Providing Overall Management of the Maven Science Program and Data Analysis Activities, Ensuring Delivery of Maven Science Data Products, Mission Documentation, and Analytical Software Tools Into PDS, Participating in Analysis and Resolution of Spacecraft Anomalies, AS Necessary, Providing Overall Management of E/PO Activities PER E/PO Plan, Presenting Scientific Results AT National Conferences and in Scientific Literature, and Providing Contract Closeout Support — $117.3M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- TAS::80 0120::TAS This Contract IS for the Tasks Necessary to Design, Analyze, Develop, Fabricate, Integrate, Test, Evaluate and Support Launch of the Euvs XRS Irradiance Sensors (exis), Supply and Maintain the Instrument Ground Support Equipment (GSE), and Support the Satellite Operations Control Center (socc). the Exis IS Classified AS a Non-Primary Instrument Suite on the Goes-R Satellite and HAS a Risk Classification of B. the Contractor Shall Provide the Personnel, Materials, Facilities and Other Resources to Design, Develop, Deliver and Support Under the Basic Contract: A) Parts and Materials for 4 Flight Models B) ONE Exis Flight Model (FM) C) Three Sets of the Electrical System Test Equipment (este) D) TWO Exis Emulators (exises) E) TWO Flight Software Development Environments (fsdes) F) ONE Ground Processing Development System (gpds) G) Spares for the Four FMS H) ALL Additional Exis Mechanical and Electrical Ground Support Equipment (mgse and Egse) Called OUT Elsewhere in This Document I) ALL Items and Documents Specified in ALL Contract Documents the Contractor Shall Provide the Personnel, Materials, Facilities and Other Resources to Design, Develop, Deliver and Support: A) Option 1 for an Additional Flight Model (FM-2) B) Option 2 for an Additional Flight Model (FM-3) C) Option 3FOR an Additional Flight Model (FM-3) — $105.2M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor (tsis). This Statement of Work (SOW) Defines the Effort Required by the Contractor for the Design, Engineering Analyses, Hardware and Software Development, Fabrication, Integration, Algorithm Development, Test, Evaluation, and Delivery of the Tsis Instrument, and Support for Integration of the Tsis Instrument With the Npoess C1 Mission, Support for Launch Preparations and Launch and Early Operations. Scope for the Development and Implementation of Tsis Routine On-Orbit Operations, Tsis Instrument On-Orbit Data Processing and Analysis, and Tsis Post-Launch Science Support IS NOT Included AT This Time — $90.4M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) for the Solar Dynamics Observatory(sdo) — $58.9M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
View all THE Regents of the University of Colorado federal contracts →
Other National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracts
- International Space Station — $22.4B (THE Boeing Company)
- TAS::80 0124::TAS Design, Development, Test&evaluation of Project Orion — $15.5B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- Provide Developmental Hardware and Test Articles, and Manufacture and Assemble Ares I Upper Stages. the Upper Stage (US) Element IS an Integral Part of the Ares I Launch Vehicle and Provides the Second Stage of Flight. the US Element IS Responsible for the Roll Control During the First Stage Burn and Separation; and Will Provide the Guidance and Navigation, Command and Data Handling, and Other Avionics Functions for the Ares I During ALL Phases of the Ascent Flight. the US Element IS a NEW Design That Emphasizes Safety, Operability, and Minimum Life Cycle Cost. the Overall Design, Development, Test and Evaluation (ddt&e), Production, and Sustaining Engineering Efforts Include Activities Performed by Three Organizations; the Nasa Design Team (NDT), the Upper Stage Production Contractor (uspc) and the Instrument Unit Production Contractor (iupc). for Clarity, the Uspc Will BE Referred to AS the Contractor Throughout This Document. Nasa IS Responsible for the Integration of the Primary Elements of the Ares I Launch Vehicle Including: the First Stage, US Including Instrument Unit (IU), and US Engine; and Will Also Integrate the Ares I Launch Vehicle AT the Launch Site. Nasa IS Responsible for the Ddt&e, Including Technical and Programmatic Integration of the US Subsystems and Government-Furnished Property. Nasa Will Lead the Effort to Develop the Requirements and Specifications of the US Element, the Development Plan and Testing Requirements, and ALL Design Documentation, Initial Manufacturing and Assembly Process Planning, Logistics Planning, and Operations Support Planning. Development, Qualification, and Acceptance Testing Will BE Conducted by Nasa and the Contractor to Satisfy Requirements and for Risk Mitigation. Nasa IS Responsible for the Overall Upper Stage Verification and Validation Process and Will Require Support From the Contractor. the Contractor IS Responsible for the Manufacture and Assembly of the Upper Stage Test Flight and Operational Upper Stage Units Including the Installation of Upper Stage Instrument Unit, the Government-Furnished US Engine, Booster Separation Motors, and Other Government-Furnished Property. a Description of the Nasa Managed and Performed Efforts IS Contained in the US Work Packages and Will BE Made Available to the Contractor to Ensure Their Understanding of the Roles and Responsibilities of the NDT, Iupc, and Contractor During the Design, Development, and Operation of the US Element. the US Conceptual Design Described in the Uso-Clv-Se-25704 US Design Definition Document (DDD) IS the Baseline Design for This Contract. the Contractors Early Role Will BE to Provide Producibility Engineering Support to Nasa VIA the Established US Office Structure and to Provide Inputs Into the Final Design Configuration, Specifications, and Standards. Nasa Will Transition the Manufacturing and Assembly, Logistics Support Infrastructure, Configuration Management, and the Sustaining Engineering Functions to the Contractor AT the KEY Points During the Development and Implementation of the Program Currently Planned to Occur NO Later Than 90 Days After the Completion of the Following Major Milestones: Manufacturing and Assembly US Preliminary Design Review (PDR) Logistics Support Infrastructure US PDR Configuration Management US Critical Design Review CDR) Sustaining Engineering US Design Certification Review (DCR) After the Completion of an Orderly Transition of Roles and Responsibilities to the Contractor, Nasa Will Assume an Insight Role Into the Contractors Production, Sustaining Engineering, and Operations Support of the Ares I US Test Program and Flight Hardware. After DCR, the Contractor Will BE Responsible for Sustaining Engineering PER SOW Section 4.7, AS Necessary to Maintain and Support the US Configuration and for Production and Operations Support — $10.5B (THE Boeing Company)
- Space Program Operations Contract (spoc) — $8.5B (United Space Alliance, LLC)
- Joint Us/Russian Human Space Flight Activities — $4.7B (Russia Space Agency)
View all National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracts →