NASA's MEGANE Project Awarded $32.37M for Mars-Moon Exploration R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $32,372,338 ($32.4M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2020-06-01
End Date: 2026-11-30
Contract Duration: 2,373 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MARS-MOON EXPLORATION WITH GAMMA RAYS AND NEUTRONS (MEGANE) PHASE C/D - TASK ORDER UNDER AEROSPACE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT (ARDES) II CONTRACT 80MSFC20D0004
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $32.4 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: MARS-MOON EXPLORATION WITH GAMMA RAYS AND NEUTRONS (MEGANE) PHASE C/D - TASK ORDER UNDER AEROSPACE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT (ARDES) II CONTRACT 80MSFC20D0004 Key points: 1. This contract focuses on advanced research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. The primary contractor is The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC. 3. The award is a delivery order under a larger Aerospace Research, Development, and Engineering Support (ARDES) II contract. 4. The project aims to explore Mars and the Moon using gamma rays and neutrons.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns for this specific research and development task order.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially reduces competitive pressure on the contractor to achieve the lowest possible cost.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract.
Public Impact
Advancement of space exploration technologies for lunar and Martian missions. Potential for new scientific discoveries through advanced sensor technology. Investment in cutting-edge research and development capabilities. Long-term project duration suggests significant ongoing resource commitment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- CPFF contract type carries cost overrun risk.
- Lack of detailed cost data for benchmarking.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical NASA exploration goals.
- Leverages expertise of a reputable research institution.
- Focus on advanced scientific instrumentation.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences category. Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement but can be subject to high uncertainty and long development cycles.
Small Business Impact
The contract is not set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor is a large organization. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
As a task order under a larger IDIQ contract, oversight is likely managed by NASA's ARDES II contracting office. The CPFF structure requires diligent monitoring of costs and performance to ensure value.
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
- Sole-source award.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Limited public information on specific deliverables.
- Long project duration increases risk exposure.
- Research and Development inherently carries technical uncertainty.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $32.4 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. MARS-MOON EXPLORATION WITH GAMMA RAYS AND NEUTRONS (MEGANE) PHASE C/D - TASK ORDER UNDER AEROSPACE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT (ARDES) II CONTRACT 80MSFC20D0004
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY 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 $32.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-06-01. End: 2026-11-30.
What specific technological advancements are expected from the MEGANE project, and how do they align with NASA's broader exploration objectives?
The MEGANE project is expected to develop and utilize advanced gamma ray and neutron detection technologies for in-situ resource utilization and subsurface mapping on Mars and the Moon. These advancements directly support NASA's Artemis program and future Mars exploration goals by enabling better understanding of planetary composition and potential habitability.
Given the sole-source nature and CPFF contract type, what measures are in place to mitigate cost escalation and ensure fair pricing?
While the contract is sole-source, NASA likely employs rigorous oversight of contractor expenditures, performance metrics, and progress reports. Fixed-fee components within the CPFF structure provide some incentive for efficiency. Regular audits and reviews of the contractor's cost accounting practices are essential to ensure fair pricing and prevent unwarranted cost increases.
How will the success of the MEGANE project be measured, and what are the key performance indicators for this research and development effort?
Success will likely be measured by the successful development and validation of the gamma ray and neutron sensing technologies, their integration into a functional payload, and the quality of scientific data returned. Key performance indicators could include achieving specified detection limits, operational readiness by the end of Phase D, and successful demonstration of the technology in relevant simulated environments.
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: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 11100 JOHNS HOPKINS RD, LAUREL, MD, 20723
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $33,808,876
Exercised Options: $33,808,876
Current Obligation: $32,372,338
Actual Outlays: $30,494,091
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 8
Total Subaward Amount: $941,424
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80MSFC20D0004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-06-01
Current End Date: 2026-11-30
Potential End Date: 2026-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-26
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